Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? As Japanese people in general are not as easy to approach as for example Mexicans, one gets more insight into Japanese society by living with a typical Japanese family. I have a very close Japanese friend living in Osaka; I met her family during my stay in Japan, and was much more able to appreciate Japanese way of thinking and customs after having spent time with them. Also, while in Japan, it is always very helpful to talk to Japanese students who have studied abroad, for example in Western Europe or the U.S., as they know both forms of societies, and can more easily introduce a foreigner to their country.

Personal comments:
The "Asia Center Tokyo" is a hostel where travellers can stay from one week to three months. It provides the visitor with rooms with bathrooms. There is also a restaurant where one can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. I shared a room for four weeks with a Chinese girl that studies in the U.S. We became very close friends and had many interesting conversations about the People's Republic of China.

Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community

Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
There is a Hip Hop cool called "Harlem" in Tokyo that shouldn't be left out while in the city! Also, spending time in the hip parts of the city such as Shinjuku or Roppongi provides with insight about the booming Japanese Youth Culture and Fashion.

Course recommendations:
I chose the courses "The Development of the Japanese economy" and "Asian Industrial Systems". The first one gave a very good overview of the development of the Japanese economy since 1945, and introduced the students to the characteristics of Japanese management. We also took a study visit to a Japanese manufacturer. The class "Asian Industrial Systems" was offered by a former employee of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He invited a lot of professionals from the field as guest speakers. Thus, we could listen to experienced people discussing their experiences as employees of the IMF or ADB in Manila or Toyko, Bangkok or Singapur.

Personal comments:
No. The readings as well as the course presentations were very good. I appreciated that my lecturers were people coming from the field, and not only academics.

Language of instruction: English

Main source of funding:
Personal savings

Other sources of funding:
None

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
The cost of living in Japan is very high. In contrast, the cost of living in Berlin is very cheap, even compared to other German cities such as Frankfurt/Main or Munich.

Food, Travel, Overall, Housing: was more expensive than at home.

Nightlife: was the same price as at home.

Telephone: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
No.

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!