197 reviews
3.98 / 5 based on 197 reviews
Useful |
0
anonymous
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
I thought the cost of food was generally higher in Japan. I also did a lot of travelling in Japan, which I don't as much of back at home.
Read more >
Overall, Housing, Travel, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone, Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
You can save a bit if you don't blow all you money on eating out. Shopping at the supermarket and eating at okonomiyaki ya san, or takoyaki ya san when hanging out with friends might save a bit too. When you travel, there is a lot of cheap accommodation around. A good thing to do is to pick a 'Lonely Planet' Guide and get your accommodation tips from there.
Read more >
Useful |
0
Ning D
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
The registration method at Kansai Gaidai University.
Read more >
In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
It's a very high standard university!
Read more >
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
I loved my exchange experience. It's a very differenct culture from the Western world, I have to say that it's worth to know/learn more.
Read more >
Useful |
1
Brandon L
Overall
I wish I had known...
Gaidai likes to use its international students as walking advertisements for the university. Half the students that come here come just to party and don't really care about learning Japanese, or anything else for that matter.
Read more >
In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
If you wanna do nothing but party, there's already a million of you there. If you wanna come here to actually study, you should have a good time, but you gotta make an effort to get out and learn Japanese, 'cause it can be kinda hard to avoid 400+ international students at times.
Read more >
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
The language instruction is good, though lacking some depth, and the classes offered are interesting, though there is a lack of variety. As far as leisure time goes, there's plenty to do, but not necessarily in Hirakata. While the housing situation leaves some things to be desired, the accomodations are quite nice, spacious, and well-maintained. The administration doesn't know what they're doing half the time, but that shouldn't really be a problem as you don't really need to interact with them that much. All in all a good time.
Read more >
Useful |
1
tmlee
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
the average cost if living is not that expensive. I eat a lot and I spend every week about 80 us$. 7 days a week which is about 11 dollars? pretty ok huh? only going out to clubs can be really expensive and go traveling to other cities can be really expensive!!
Read more >
Overall, Telephone, Nightlife, Travel, Food, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
kansai gaidai will help you to open a bankaccount at the Sumotomobank and I would recommend to withdrawel money only from the Sumitomo banks! other banks is possibel, but they will charge you 1 us$!!!
Read more >
Useful |
0
Brandon L
Expenses
Main source of funding:
A private grant
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings<br>
Government assistance<br>
A private grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Food: I ate out a lot.
Phone: I had a cellphone and messed with it constantly.
Nightlife: Bars are outrageously expensive.
Travel: Trains, buses, etc. add up. Going to Osaka and back can cost close to 1500 yen just for travel.
Read more >
Travel, Food, Overall, Nightlife, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Be mindful of the exchange rate. When I was there, the value of the yen shot up and the US Dollar lost like 20% of its value. So try to budget your money and make sure you have enough in case something like that happens to you.
Read more >
Useful |
0
Kim L
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I had known about the poor access to internet. This made my life very difficult, as the internet is my main (cheap) means of communication. Despite being in an advanced country, most Japanese host families did not have the internet, and the dorms were extremely restrictive with it.
Read more >
In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
You should join one of the university clubs to get to know Japanese students. The speaking partner program was not very effective, as you may get paired up with someone you have nothing in common with (as happened to me).
Read more >
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
Finance is an issue for most people here. Make sure you have enough money.
Read more >
en 
English
Español
Français