Japan- Tokyo
Page 1, Q3. Major
1
Japanese Studies and Biology
Aug 29, 2012 11:46 AM
2
Japanese Studies
Aug 4, 2012 1:08 PM
3
ECLA
Jul 20, 2012 7:12 PM
4
East Asian Studies/Japanese Studies
Jun 29, 2012 1:06 AM
Page 1, Q4. Program (City, Country, Program Sponsor)
1
Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo International University - Japan Studies Program
Aug 29, 2012 11:46 AM
2
Tokyo International University
Aug 4, 2012 1:08 PM
3
Kawagoe, Japan, TIU
Jul 20, 2012 7:12 PM
4
Tokyo, Japan, TIU
Jun 29, 2012 1:06 AM
Page 2, Q2. How did you first hear about Occidental College’s Off Campus Study Program?
1
Website
Jun 29, 2012 1:07 AM
23 of 39
Page 2, Q2. How did you first hear about Occidental College’s Off Campus Study Program?
Page 2, Q3. What were your goals for off campus study?
1
To see if I could possibly earn a living in the country.
Aug 4, 2012 1:11 PM
Page 2, Q4. To what extent did you succeed in accomplishing your goals? Why did you succeed or not?
1
I very much so accomplished my goals. The program's Japanese language
instruction is great, it is fairly well-organized, and the homestay structure is also
very good.
Aug 29, 2012 11:48 AM
2
I succeeded in all the goals I set out to accomplish with regard to study abroad. I
kept an open mind and understood that I would make mistakes with the
language and made it a point to correct myself anytime I did mess up.
Aug 4, 2012 1:11 PM
3
I think I succeeded in all of those goals. Definitely a lot of personal growth and
my language skills improved even more than I had expected. Living with the host
family for so long I became really close with them.
Jul 20, 2012 7:13 PM
4
I have succeeded relatively well in all of them.
Jun 29, 2012 1:07 AM
Page 3, Q1. How many students were on the program?
1
30+
Aug 29, 2012 11:51 AM
2
32
Aug 4, 2012 1:15 PM
3
30ish
Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM
4
30-some
Jun 29, 2012 1:09 AM
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Page 3, Q2. How many Oxy students?
1
4
Aug 29, 2012 11:51 AM
2
3
Aug 4, 2012 1:15 PM
3
4
Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM
4
4
Jun 29, 2012 1:09 AM
Page 3, Q3. Please comment on the goals and academic abilities of your fellow students. How were they
similar/dissimilar to yours?
1
They were similar, but it was also great to see that everyone had a little
uniqueness as to what they wanted to get out of Japan. It made it very great to
speak with and become friends with the others.
Aug 29, 2012 11:51 AM
2
I think all of my fellow students wanted to experience another culture and
improve their language skills, so we all had that in common. Since I could
possibly work in Japan I had some other questions or goals I wanted to
complete.
Aug 4, 2012 1:15 PM
3
Everyone seemed to be on the same page. Although the passive/competitive
atmosphere got kind of annoying.
Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM
4
Some were similar some dissimilar. Many people came here to party. Others
came to pursue opportunities in gaming and electronics, but most of us came to
study Japan and Japanese language.
Jun 29, 2012 1:09 AM
Page 3, Q4. Describe the background of your classmates, e.g., all Americans, all Oxy students.
1
All Americans and one German national. Everyone spoke English. Basically
everyone was kind, welcoming, and fun to be around.
Aug 29, 2012 11:51 AM
2
All Oxy students were American. They all had taken some sort of Japanese
language class and we were often able to communicate in both English and
Japanese.
Aug 4, 2012 1:15 PM
3
There was an Italian and a German also. All liberal arts students.
Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM
4
We're from all over the US, a surprising number from the Midwest, and all ages
across the board. We have one student from Germany, another from Mexico,
and an American who is going to school in Italy.
Jun 29, 2012 1:09 AM
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Page 3, Q5. Describe your housing situation.
1
Homestay with a host mother, father, younger brother, and younger sister. It was
great, and I will likely keep in touch with them for the rest of my life.
Aug 29, 2012 11:51 AM
2
I stayed with a wonderful host family. It was a nuclear family of a father, mother
and two host sisters. At least once a week my host grandparents would come
over so it was in many ways an extended family. I had my own room with ac and
a heater. It was a room used for flower arrangement so it was very nice.
Aug 4, 2012 1:15 PM
3
Went extremely well I had a lovely host family. Two young kids and a married
couple it was a very different lifestyle than what I am used to in America but I
think I grew in a lot of healthy ways.
Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM
4
Super-awesome homestay. I have three host-siblings, a 19 year old boy, a 16
year old boy, and a 15 year old girl. We also have a dog. My host parents are
awesome.
Jun 29, 2012 1:09 AM
Page 4, Q2. In which of the following did you participate:
1
Japanese drum (taiko) club. It was great!
Aug 29, 2012 1:29 PM
2
I was a member of the basketball circle that met on Thursday nights from
6:30pm-10:30pm. It was pretty long and would often get back to my host family
around 11:30pm but it was very fun to be able to interact with Japanese students
in that environment.
Aug 4, 2012 1:17 PM
3
There were a few clubs available but none of them struck my interest. A lot of the
other students jumped on the Taiko club but I admittedly tried to distance myself
a bit from the other abroads. I wanted to spend more time hanging out with other
Japanese students and developing friends to both practice, learn from, and to
form future connections in Japan. I have plenty of American people to talk to in
America! I do admit I regret not joining either a sports club or the sign language
club. Another JSP joined signed language and that seemed to work out really
great for her.
Jul 20, 2012 7:22 PM
4
I participated in taiko club.
Jun 29, 2012 1:12 AM
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Page 4, Q3. List any courses and/or professors you would recommend.
1
Ryan Ward, professor of religion/philosophy. He plays it by ear, but he is great at
that. I learned more about Japan in general through him than through any other
single source.
Aug 29, 2012 1:29 PM
2
The Japanese courses are very difficult but not impossible. You will get as much
out of them as you put in. I put in a lot of effort and I believe I got a lot out of the
Japanese class.
Aug 4, 2012 1:17 PM
3
The Philosophy teacher was a really funny, interesting guy but the class wasn't
very interactive and we never had a single assignment besides a final short
essay. Also, the Japanese teachers were phenomenal :) YAMAGUCHI
SENSEI!!!!!!!
Jul 20, 2012 7:22 PM
4
The Japanese courses are fabulous. I've heard really good things about the
Intercultural Communication course though I'm not in it. My Politics professor is
good and I'd really enjoy that class if I was interested in Politics at all.
Jun 29, 2012 1:12 AM
Page 4, Q4. List any courses and/or professors you would suggest avoiding.
1
The classes that aren't in Japanese are not very challenging or require critical
thinking.
Aug 4, 2012 1:17 PM
2
It seems like the electives are different every year and they are pretty much a
complete joke. The Cultural History class might have been the most boring
professor I've ever experienced. Smart guy but just not a teacher.
Jul 20, 2012 7:22 PM
3
Professor Mark Oshima is not for the easily-bored. Or even the somewhat
difficultly bored. I like Japanese History and am extremely tolerant of things in
teachers others would call failings and I am having a hard time making myself
care in that class.
Jun 29, 2012 1:12 AM
Page 4, Q5. Did you experience academic problems?
1
Extremely easy, on this note Oxy is a much much much more academically
rigorous institution. The Japanese teachers are great but Oxy could do a lot
better in my opinion.
Jul 20, 2012 7:22 PM
Page 5, Q1. What was your COLLEGE language background before going abroad?
1
Japanese 202, 301, 302, and 340 prior to leaving for Japan
Aug 29, 2012 1:31 PM
2
I tested into Oxy's Japanese 302 junior year. So I think that's the equivalent to 5
Aug 4, 2012 1:19 PM
27 of 39
Page 5, Q1. What was your COLLEGE language background before going abroad?
semesters.
Page 5, Q5. What factor was most important to your language improvement?
1
The classroom instruction helped me with more formal, written Japanese.
Whereas my homestay and interactions with my local friends greatly aided me in
speaking and less formal, plain Japanese.
Aug 29, 2012 1:31 PM
2
Having Japanese as my only outlet to communicate with others forced me to
improve Japanese.
Aug 4, 2012 1:19 PM
3
I want to also say interactions with locals. My Japanese friends were awesome
because I learned more 'raunchy' Japanese for lack of a better term. Also I was
able to really communicate on a more informal level and let's face it - when
you're a little drunk you lose inhibitions and your Japanese improves much
faster. Homestay was amazing though only spoke Japanese - immersion is the
best way to learn.
Jul 20, 2012 7:24 PM
Page 6, Q1. How much interaction did you have with people of the host country; other international students;
other Americans?
1
A lot of interaction. Mostly with students at Tokyo International University
Campus 1, and most of those students were Language and Communications
majors. In general though, interaction with Japanese natives was an everyday
aspect of life.
Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM
2
I had quite a lot of interaction with all of the people listed here. I often hung out
with a mix of Japanese students and international students on a regular basis/
Aug 4, 2012 1:22 PM
3
Honestly I was a little irritated with how much I was forced to be around the other
abroad students. I distanced myself and maybe was a little too rude to them
sometimes because I really just wasn't interested in making Western friends.
That being said, I did wind up being friends with quite a few of them. As for
locals, I found a good group of Japanese friends; a punk rock group and their
crowd and wound up being close with them by the time I left. I will miss them so
much :( and I made them all promise that if they ever come to America they will
stay with me. Also just random people on last train, in Kawagoe, etc... if people
see you are a little drunk also they are much more willing to talk to you and just
be silly.
Jul 20, 2012 7:30 PM
4
A lot. I made a LOT of Japanese friends at school, and I go home to live with
Japanese people every night. There aren't too many other international students
at TIU, well, not Americans anyway. I've seen a lot of Korean and Chinese
exchange students.
Jun 29, 2012 1:17 AM
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Page 6, Q2. Did you contact Oxy alum living abroad as part of the Alumni and Study Abroad Partnership Program
(ASAPP)?
1
No.
Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM
2
I did not.
Aug 4, 2012 1:22 PM
3
Oh no, what?? Didn't realize that existed.
Jul 20, 2012 7:30 PM
4
Nope
Jun 29, 2012 1:17 AM
Page 6, Q3. What strategies can you recommend for meeting locals and making friends?
1
Start at school. Make friends at school (they are all so eager to meet with you)
and from there you will branch out. By the end of the program, we were
attending huge karaoke parties of up to 40 other people, most of whom we knew
quite well.
Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM
2
Hang out in the student lounge. The students there want to make friends and
practice their English so they are very friendly. Make it a goal to meet Japanese
friends early. While they are always friendly its easier to make friends before
circles start to form.
Aug 4, 2012 1:22 PM
3
Don't spend all your time hanging out with other abroad students. Don't be afraid
of wandering around or going into a bar alone. Being a little drunk always helps.
Also speak a little Japanese first so the local can gauge your Japanese. If you
are just quiet they will kind of assume you are an illiterate American, or just talk
to you like you are fluent. Don't be afraid of awkward situations; the Japanese
are a little awkward and so am I. Just sit next to them. After a little bit of silence
the conversation will start and you might make a new friend! Just be like, koko ni
suwatte mo ii desu ka?
Jul 20, 2012 7:30 PM
4
Hang out in the lounge and don't look busy. Go over and bother them even if
they look like they don't want to be. Always be open to people talking to you,
never close yourself off. Go to as many social events as you can and befriend
the people that organize them.
Jun 29, 2012 1:17 AM
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Page 6, Q4. Were there aspects of the culture with which you were not comfortable?
1
Of course there were some different social norms I was not entirely comfortable
with. I can recall one instance where I witnessed my host mom (a member of the
PTA) being severely scolded by the elementary school principal in what I thought
was an extremely unacceptable tone of voice (the reason for his scolding was
also very insignificant). When I spoke with her afterwards and mentioned his
rage, she said there was nothing she could do about it, only accept it. That was
the most uncomfortable culture shock I experienced.
Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM
2
No.
Aug 4, 2012 1:22 PM
3
Nope, I pretty much knew what to expect. I did get kind of a homesickness at
one point. I wouldn't call it 'culture shock' I'd call it 'missing my peeps sickness'.
Jul 20, 2012 7:30 PM
4
There's a lot of sexism here, and a lot of racism and just stereotyping in general.
Thing is, foreigners basically walk on water and no one expects us to do
anything right so, they're not going to stereotype us or expect anything from us,
it's just sometimes uncomfortable when your professor starts making these
sweeping generalizations about certain groups of people.
Jun 29, 2012 1:17 AM
Page 6, Q5. What suggestions do you have for future participants for engaging with the culture?
1
Be open, go out and do things you wouldn't normally do. Make mistakes, feel
embarrassed, and try to own that. If you earnestly want to learn Japanese, not
only should you pay attention and engage with the sensei's, you should try and
use what you learn with your local friends too.
Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM
2
Be open. You're in Japan so do these that you can only do in Japan. If you're
uncomfortable after doing it let your host family or Matt Lindley know.
Aug 4, 2012 1:22 PM
3
Japanese people are planners. Try to get involved in their plans or you will have
a lot of boring lonely weekends! Don't just act like something will happen without plans, IT WONT!
Jul 20, 2012 7:30 PM
4
Make a lot of friends. Try a lot of things. Don't recognize the concept of down
time for the first month or two. If you have time, go do something. Make friends
with people who want to explore and are interested in the same things you are.
Go to cultural events even if you think they might be boring. Force your new
Japanese friends to hang out with you and they'll probably introduce their friends
to you too.
Jun 29, 2012 1:17 AM
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Page 7, Q1. How much did you spend on airfare to/from your program?
1
$1,220
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
I believe it was a little over $1000 dollars but Oxy took care of it
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
Oh jeez around 3000
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
$2,000? $3,000?
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
Page 7, Q3. What was the approximate exchange rate during your stay?
1
80 JPY to 1 USD
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
79Yen to $1.00
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
.74 kill me.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
80 yen to the dollar
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
Page 7, Q4. How much did you spend on books and supplies?
1
~$60
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
8000yen
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
Not bad at all. Only around 50 bucks.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
$100
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
Page 7, Q5. How much did you spend on local transportation to/from daily class?
1
9,000 for all four months. We were fully reimbursed by TIU
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
Free because of the teiki rail pass I was able to go from home to school and
back for free.
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
To and from class is free.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
TIU pays for that
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
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Page 7, Q6. How much did you spend on personal travel during your time abroad? Please specify length and
nature of your personal travel.
1
N/A
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
I spent $250 to go from Osaka to Okayama to visit some family. I traveled by
bullet train. I stayed in Okayama three days. The bullet train is more expensive
than trains but it takes less than a third of the time and doesn't require you to
transfer trains at what could be some very busy stations.
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
I wound up spending so much on personal transportation. More than $400 I'd
say. A day in Tokyo easily gets to 30 or 40 bucks.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
Somewhere around $1000? It's expensive to get to Tokyo and I went a lot.
Though the Kansai trip is free (thanks again, by the way!) I used my free day to
go to Nara, which was expensive. I'm also going to visit family in Osaka and
Kyushu, which will account for over half of my traveling costs with shinkansen
tickets and youth hostels and every train in-between.
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
Page 7, Q7. Describe how you took your meals, e.g., groceries prepared in kitchen, dining hall etc., and how
much you spent on meals weekly, not including, bars, clubs etc.?
1
Meals were provided by the host family in the following way. M-F: Breakfast and
Dinner provided Weekend: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided Besides that,
I spent an average of 750 (about $8) per meal I paid for that was out of the
provided meals.
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
My host family prepared meals for breakfast and dinner during the weekdays
and for lunch we would go to a super market and buy bento. Occasionally we
would eat at nearby restaurants. I tried to spend less than a 1000yen a day on
food so under 7000yen a week.
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
Well my host family would always happily offer me meals, even if they 'didn't
have to': (I think they only needed to do Brkfst and Dinner through the program).
At school I always opted for the cheapest dish, rice curry, for a meager 260 yen
(3 dollars). So I guess I'd spend around 20 bucks a week on food normally.
Excluding bars and everything else. If you try you can get by so cheaply here. I
had made a bunch of money waiting tables in the 4 months before the program
started so I could be a bit more liberal in my spending.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
So our host families feed us breakfast and dinner on weekdays and all three
meals weekends. There's a dining hall on campus that has food you will be so
incredibly awed by for maybe a month and then never return, that's about 400
yen per meal tops. These days when people have afternoon classes we usually
go get something from the supermarket down the street, which generally
amounts to about four, five, six hundred yen. On days without class we go to
restaurants, but there are some great cheap ones around, generally running
anywhere from four-eighty to seven-hundred-something yen per meal,
depending on your fanciness. Weekend nice-meals can be anywhere from fivehundred yen to two-thousand, it depends on what you're doing/who you're
with/where you are. I usually budget myself ten-thousand yen per week, and if all
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
32 of 39
Page 7, Q7. Describe how you took your meals, e.g., groceries prepared in kitchen, dining hall etc., and how
much you spent on meals weekly, not including, bars, clubs etc.?
I use that for is to eat I might spend three-thousand of it in a week.
Page 7, Q8. What would you recommend as a minimum monthly budget for incidental expenses, excluding
travel? Please include recommendations for such items as: local transportation to/from daily class, telephone
calls, internet, laundry, museums, concerts, movies, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs.
1
$400 a month should be sufficient if you aren't planning on going out a lot. With
$500 a month, you can eat out in place of host family meals a couple times a
month and buy more things.
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
50000 Yen a month should cover most stuff. I spent about $2300 dollars the
whole trip. I would say if you had $2500 for the trip you would be okay. Its
enough money to get by and have fun, but won't be enough if you go crazy or
have expensive hobbies.
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
Hmmm. I had a lot of fun and got out frequently for around 800 a month.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
I'd say forty-thousand for a month comfortably, that includes one-time deals like
your phone or something and the occasional spurious shopping trip. I guess,
minimum if all you do is eat onigiri for lunch and never go anywhere else, twothousand yen per month. Don't do that though.
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
Page 7, Q9. How do you recommend taking your money abroad? Did you open a local bank account?
1
I withdrew from an ATM, but that did incur a 4% charge every time. I thought that
by choosing Citi Bank, a bank that is somewhat prevalent in Japan, I could avoid
this charge, but I could not. We were offered the choice of opening a bank
account, that may be a better option.
Aug 29, 2012 1:46 PM
2
Japan is a cashed based society and theft is pretty low so I took $1500 in cash
and exchanged at Narita. After that I withdrew money from 7-11 which is one of
the only ways to withdraw money if you have a foreign bank account.
Aug 4, 2012 1:29 PM
3
I had my bank of America count that I would deposit my old work checks and tip
money into. I just called them before I went and said I'd be in Japan for 4
months.
Jul 20, 2012 7:35 PM
4
I got a AAA credit card. If you use it on 7/11 or post office ATM's there's no
withdrawal fee. It fluctuates with the exchange rate though, which could be either
good or bad but I personally prefer it. I tend to get as much money out of it as I
can at a time and then budget that for myself. Japan's a cash society so, don't
pay with the card, just get money out with it.
Jun 29, 2012 1:26 AM
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Page 8, Q1. What sort of items or clothing did you take along and then find you did not need?
1
Spring semester - Not too much cold clothing. It gets hot and humid basically
beginning in May.
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
Japan's climate varies greatly so all the clothes i took I found useful.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
TOO MANY JACKETS AHHHH Its so hot here after the first month spring
semester. Only bring one jacket. And it rains a lot. Also bring workout clothes.
Unless you're lazy I guess.
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
I brought way more pairs of jeans than I needed. Also, you don't need an energy
converter, just a plug converter. Um, too much underwear and socks. They wash
things every day so, take some you don't mind getting a little beat up from being
washed too much and you'll be fine.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
Page 8, Q2. What did you take that you found most useful?
1
Shorts, good japanese dictionary app on my phone, and my laptop.
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
Ipod touch with Japanese dictionary as well as a conversion app for
measurements. Its much easier than carrying a paper dictionary and costs
absurdly less than a electronic Japanese dictionary.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
Rain jacket, shorts, FLIP FLOPS. That outfit, as silly as it might sound, is the
typhoon season getup. The weather is like the inside of a dishwasher.
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
My computer, although that's only because I have internet at home. Probably,
my camera and the little purse I have for when I'm just kicking around that holds
like, my phone, wallet, keys, and camera and nothing else. I bought a coin purse
while I was here, you'll need one of some kind.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
34 of 39
Page 8, Q3. What do you wish you had brought along?
1
A Nintendo DS. Everyone had them, even old ladies!
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
More jacket for when it was cold. A good umbrella. Things that keep you warm
and dry. At least the first two months and then pack for the most humid place on
earth the last month of two.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
Better sunglasses. 2 pairs of workout shoes. Most of the gyms here require you
to have shoes that have never touched an outside ground before. So if you want
to go on runs around your neighborhood and work out at a gym (which is really
cheap to be a member of in my exp) you should get two pairs of shoes. Unless
you wanna clean em every time I guess...
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
Hair mousse/something that keeps flyways down. I don't usually pay attention in
the states, but the climate here is crazy-wet and my hair is somewhat-curly so no
matter what I do I look like a fuzzball by the time I get home. Also, a shoulderbag big enough for a folder and some books. Crowded trains and huge
backpacks don't get along.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
Page 8, Q4. Were there any items you wanted that you were unable to obtain?
1
Mexican food.
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
Hydrogen peroxide. In Japan any drug you need you probably need a
prescription for so stock up on American drugs/ medicine before you go. I don't
know if you want to stock hydrogen peroxide in but I was unable to get it without
a prescription.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
Condoms were a trip to find... they exist though.
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
Tampons.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
Page 8, Q5. In general, how would you describe the weather in the area in which your program was based?
1
Fairly good weather. Often sunny (in Spring), sometimes overcast. Rainy season
and typhoons are real things!
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
Japan's seasons are always excessive. Too cold, too windy, too rainy and too
hot. This is especially true if you've only lived in Los Angeles.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
Well this is just Spring. At first beautiful and just perfect and amazing :) Then;
dishwasher.
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
It started of freezing, then it was warm, then it was warm and soaking, and I think
by the end it will be hot and 100% humidity so... yay.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
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Page 8, Q6. Did you have access to computers and/or email? If so, please describe what type of computer
services you used. Did you use your Oxy email?
1
Yes, several computer labs at TIU, with access to oxy email. They are in
Japanese, but it isn't too hard to navigate. The computers were all fairly
responsive, and PC's came preinstalled with Windows 7. Very nice Macs were
also available.
Aug 29, 2012 1:51 PM
2
I brought my laptop and had wi-fi in the house as well as at campus. I did use
my oxy email.
Aug 4, 2012 1:34 PM
3
I brought my macbook. Computer lab is great and an awesome place to meet
nerds. Tons of people gaming, watching anime, or just generally screwing
around :)
Jul 20, 2012 7:39 PM
4
I brought my computer and my family has internet (thank god). The school has
really slow wireless we can get in the lounge, a lot of people use that. There's
also a super-awesome computer lab that has everything you want. I used my
Oxy email. Nothing much changed, just my ads turned to Japanese.
Jun 29, 2012 1:33 AM
Page 10, Q1. Any suggestions to the IPO for improving Occidental’s on-campus orientation or other services?
1
Can't think of any.
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
I did not find the person who did study abroad before me give good advice. I
don't know if there is anyway to improve that but I did not find her helpful at all.
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
Hmm... I would include lists of items to bring.
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
Nope
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
Page 10, Q2. What information about your program could be emphasized more to prospective applicants?
1
The fact that the program takes place at a school that is primarily for Japanese
students and, as such, the JSP students have many opportunities to interact with
excited, eager native students who are about the same age.
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
Your language skills will improve exponentially. I feel like I took two years of Oxy
Japanese in 4 months.
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
The available classes - they were different than advertised.
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
How incredibly awesome it is? I applied Spring semester 2011 so, I don't really
remember much. I also knew I wanted to go to Japan and, there's just the one
so...
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
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Page 10, Q3. Describe the overall strengths and weaknesses of the program.
1
The Japanese teaching I felt was very strong, at least in the upper levels.
However, some of the joint class sessions that spanned students of varying
Japanese proficiency were not very helpful. Other than thaat, the program was
generally great
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
The Japanese faculty and language class is great. The other classes that are
taught in English are a waste of time in my opinion.
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
Strenghts - Japanese class. Weaknesses - the school had more of a community
college feel to it. At first it was really hard to get to know students because they
would go to class and then immediately return home. Not much culture on the
actual campus aside from one lounge. The afternoon classes were weak and
just overall I feel like Oxy could do a lot better.
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
This program is perfect for language learning, at least at my level. They really go
out of their way to teach us about the area we're living in as well as national
Japanese culture and such. One glaring weakness is the elective credits, which
are on the whole pretty awful. That said, one good thing I can say about it is that
they aren't harming my experience of simply living here, and being able to visit
all these places and meet all these people.
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
Page 10, Q4. Do you have any suggestions for the program director(s) and/or staff off-campus?
1
None, they were pretty great.
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
n/a
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
Matt Lindley is freaking awesome. He was such a great help always when I
needed him and a always good friend/support. Dealing with Arai san is a
nightmare. Hey has the equivalent of Matt's job but is the least helpful, annoying,
passive aggressive ass I have ever met. He was so bureaucratic and never
helpful to me, frequently dismissing my requests and refusing students their
reimbursements because they missed deadlines by one day. Among many other
perils -_-
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
Not really.
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
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Page 10, Q5. For what sorts of students, if any, would you recommend this program?
1
Students who have some interest in Japan and are looking to expand that
interest and meet other, like-minded people (obviously to varying degrees to
intensity). Also, students who really want to immerse themselves in the
Japanese language.
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
Students who are open and willing to work hard.
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
I don't know - people interested in Japan?
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
People who are interested in really living in Japan and immersing themselves in
the language and the culture. Don't come if you don't want to hang out with your
host family, don't come if you're not going to do the work and try to get better at
Japanese, and especially don't come if you don't want to make friends,
American, Japanese, and international alike.
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
Page 10, Q6. Are there students you would especially recommend not enrolling in this program?
1
If all you want to do is see Japan and compare it to how you've seen it in the
media but not bother to interact with your host family or the Japanese people in
general, I suggest you do that on your own time and not participate in the
program.
Aug 29, 2012 1:58 PM
2
Student who are not open and do not want to work hard.
Aug 4, 2012 1:38 PM
3
Hypersocial types, between the commutes and the community college feel there
winds up being a lot of alone time.
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
4
Anyone who can't handle living with parents again, especially because these
parents are going to be 10 times as worried about you as your real parents and
10 times as, not intrusive but, they NEED to know your business. If you're not
willing to make sure they know where you are, who you're with, and when you'll
be back, don't come, you'll just cause problems. Um. Yeah, if you're just coming
to pick up people, not worth it. If you're just coming to study and not meet
people/have any fun at all, also not worth it.
Jun 29, 2012 1:40 AM
Page 10, Q7. Would you select the same program, if you had it to do again?
1
Better afternoon classes and a college with a bit more spirit and atmosphere.
38 of 39
Jul 20, 2012 8:17 PM
Page 12, Q2. Please provide any additional comments here.
1
It was an awesome experience. I really liked the program, I really like Japan, and
it really did change my life. I'll have many of these friends for life, and I will
always have crazy good memories of my time as a college student abroad.
Aug 29, 2012 2:00 PM
2
I wouldn't mind being the person who speaks with student who are going the
next semester.
Aug 4, 2012 1:39 PM
3
Not sure what some of these even are... I want to keep being involved in Japan
and helping people get prepared for the experience. I also want to be as much of
a help as I can be to any Japanese students that may wind up studying at
Occidental college or surrounding schools.
Jul 20, 2012 8:19 PM
4
I am loving study abroad and am SO GLAD I had this opportunity. I wouldn't
trade this for anything. I knew it was going to be awesome so I specifically chose
a school with good study abroad but if I'd known this would be my experience I
would have specifically chosen Oxy just for this.
Jun 29, 2012 1:42 AM
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