35 reviews
4.37 / 5 based on 35 reviews
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Gabrielle O
Languages
Language of instruction: Japanese
Was learning Japanese a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Japanese
How much did you improve your Japanese?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
japanese language is long and difficult to learn, yet really interesting. I had studied it in France before going to japan but it was still difficult to speak and efficiently communicate. I learnt more by studying and living in japan than during 3 years in France ! It the end of the stay I was able to well understand and to express myself, and I could even make jokes ! I am glad I went to Japan.
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1
Gabrielle O
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings<br>
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
Life is very expensive, particularly accomodation and food.
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Overall, Travel, Housing, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
unfortunately, no tips ! Unless giving private lessons of English, French, Italian...
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1
Gabrielle O
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I wish we were more mixed with local students. However it was of course easy to go and meet them.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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5
Gabrielle O
Overall
I wish I had known...
Not really. it's fun to discover and experiment newness anyway.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Sophia University is quite famous in japan, academic standards are high and social life is nice. Moreover, it is located just right in town. Do not hesitate !
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
There is two different ways of living in Japan when you are a foreigner : you can live as a foreigner (that is to say keep your habits, meet mostly with foreigners...), or try to live as a Japanese or at least with Japanese people. The last way is less easy to do because you need to try to implicate in Japan. However, it is a lot more interesting and rewarding.
I learnt a more going to japan, about people, language, and culture, but also about myself.
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1
Gabrielle O
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Nightlife, Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Tokyo is a huge city : there is plenty to do everywhere and for everyone !
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1
Gabrielle O
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
Living with a japanese family is very interesting and rewarding. Of course it is challenging because communication is difficult, but we learn a lot about the culture and way of living as we are able to really implicate in the daily life. And of course language skills improve quickly.
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Personal comments
We can choose between living in an independant flat, in a dormitory or with a family. Anyway, it is very expensive. I believe one should choose the family if he wants to learn as more as possible.
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