Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

When I first came to APU, I got a lot of support from the university. For example, I automatically got registered to a Jasso scholarship for 6 months so I can focus on learning and adjusting my life without worrying about money. But, as time goes by,  the support from the university was fading away. For example, when I want to complain to the university about the quality of the professor who teaches with horrible accents, or about the inconvenience of grade inquiry, etc. The staff from the academic office couldn't really help me at all. It seems like I got no place to convey my opinions. But overall, I would say that I give a so-so rank to this university since sometimes they can provide you with adequate support.

If you attend this university, you will get a sub-par education in any of the majors. APU only offers two separate colleges, in which most classes are redundant and not at all useful. There are few professors with enthusiasm for their subjects, they often read off slides, and don't even use their own textbook. The exams are all multiple choice, with zero practical application. The professors are well known for giving random grades, despite your score or effort.  Japanese classes are required, but are heavily reliant on Asian style instruction, so if you have completed your primary education in a western country, it is almost guaranteed you will not pass the first time, unless you have prior Japanese language education. APU has a first come, first serve, class registration system and gives zero priority for major classes. There are no 400 level classes at all, the level only goes up to 300 throughout the university. As a senior, you will not be able to get sought-after classes, and if you finish early, you will still be required to stay for the whole four year period, paying tuition, despite completing all required credits.
Facility issue: you may own a scooter or motor bike, but the university does not allow you to own a car. You cannot even bring a car onto campus, you will get a warning of suspension if you do. Bus transportation fee is high, costing you $10,000 for year bus pass, or $5 per a ride to the university, if you want to pay in cash. The university does not turn on heating in many areas of the school, so it's freezing in the wintertime. Facilities have not been updated since 2010 at the latest.

The selling point about my university is that is one of a few universities which offer English course and the environment where you can meet people from more than 80 nationalities. Along with this uniqueness, all the knowledge is based on multidimensioned viewpoints. Teachers are really opened for discussion and motivating students to explore and try out new things as the motto "Shape your world" of my university.

Pros: global environment. Easy to enter. Easy classes. Passive and kind easy A professors. Supportive admissions office. Situated in a good place, nice city.

Cons: If unlucky you will meet an egoistical professor that does not evaluate students properly. Majority of professors are bad in English. Professors don't give proper research advice. They don't evaluate properly the students and would just give easy A. This institution have passive, apathetic, and mediocre professors. You also have a lot of old traditional and close minded professors here, unable to change and cope with the changing times both in their lectures and in their classroom management. It collects students from all over the world disregarding quality, thus pulling all other students down. Students are too many in a class. An undergraduate will have 250 students in one lecture class, in MA it can have 20-50 in some required lectures. Courses are limited. They tell you you can choose, but because they have limited offerings you can really just get those available at a time. Some that are crucial to your research may never be offered during your stay. Their reason? "NO PROFESSOR" to teach the course. Other students who have poor researches can pass. Others will have their thesis downgraded to a research paper but will still get the same degree as those who with thesis (so no distinction). It's a waste of time and money to go to this school. The standard is just too low.