Reviews of Sophia University | Japan

Useful | 3

senagawa

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
International Relations, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

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

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Tokyo is a very interesting city. The best night spots to learn about japanese culture is Shinjuku but if you want to be with foreigns the best place is Roppongi. There are a lot of places to go in japan, since is a country of consumer. Coffee shops all around the country, as well as convinience stores. There are other amazing places in Tokyo, such as Harajuku where there are a lot of young people and Shibuya where you can appreciate the big screens in the street.

Useful | 1

senagawa

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
International Relations, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Housing

Type of housing: second half was an independent apartment

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

Because I could be totally independent and because there is certain age in live when you must create your own life.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

I think it was a good experience because i got to know more about japanese culture and had the chance to talk to japanese people and therefore improve my japanese skills. Also it was interesting and fun to meet other foreign students that were in my same situation and could learn how to live with other cultures. It also measured my ability of adaptation in other environment.

Useful | 0

senagawa

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
International Relations, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

The main reason of my interest to go to Japan was the language. I studied before japanese in an especial school also in Japan before starting university. English language was very important for me as well since it is the universal language. I was able to improve both languages during the year i lived in Tokyo and I think it turned into a very powerful tool for my future professional life.

Useful | 1

senagawa

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
International Relations, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Family

Work opportunities:

I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits

Because Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world and compering to Mexico, Japan is more expensive.

Housing, Food, Overall, Nightlife, Travel, Telephone:

was more expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

There are 100 yen shops (a little less than one US dollar), where you can find food and other usefull items.

Useful | 2

senagawa

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
International Relations, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

About the dorm I lived during the first six months. There were a lot of things I did not know before going there.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

3

Activities

4

Campus life

4

Party / people

4

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

If someone wants to go, he or she must be really interested in japanese culture not only in an international experience, especially if that person is western. It is easier to live in Japan if you like the culture and if you are really willing to learn the language.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

As students there are a lot of discounts to travel and it is good to ask in order to travel. Japan is very expensive but also very interesting and knowing the advantages that students have makes it easier to have a nice life in Japan.

Useful | 0