197 reviews
3.98 / 5 based on 197 reviews
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6
Kilikat
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
There is not much contact with the regular students; the ones who do get admitted to the international program are either very lucky or very smart. And, the reason they're there is to practice English, not use their native tongue. So, without a homestay family it may be difficult to get to practice outside of time with your language partner or through daily life (taking the bus and having to read the signs, asking people for directions, etc.)
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0
Kilikat
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
Japan is an expensive country! But you can find deals if you look for them.
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Overall, Nightlife, Travel, Telephone, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
There are quite a few cheap places to eat & ways to travel. International travel out of Japan is much cheaper than domestic flights; I went home to Hawaii for $300 US. The administration makes it easy to open a bank account, but getting money transferred from home can sometimes be a pain. Eat at the shokudo (cafeteria) on campus - It's much cheaper.
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1
Ning D
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
The University did a really good job in terms of offering the international students the opportunity to learn Japanese. We had the chance to interact with the Japanese students and talk to them. The speaking partner program was one of them. This program is the most popular interaction program at Kansai Gaidai, and many local KG students sign up for the program, as they are eager to get to know the international students.
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0
“Good Location, Met Some Cool People”
Season
United States, Undergraduate
, 2022
OverallI did truly enjoy my time there and do not regret going because I experienced a lot of growth as a person, but I would not want to stay any longer than the semester that I was there. Although the university is nice, it seems more appealing on paper than it does when you're there. Kansai Gaidai was a pretty campus, but the English classes that I took were lackluster in content and a lot of the professors were very unprofessional. There is not much to do in Hirakata, but the location of the university is very good because you can easily get to Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara. I recommend traveling a lot and making the most out of your experience! I stayed in the dorms and it was nice to have my own room. But the caretakers are not super helpful and the girls in my unit were not the best, but that's not the fault of the program. I also wish that there was more of an orientation when you get there, because if I didn't make friends who were in the same boat as me, it would have been hard to get adjusted. I miss the food and the connivance stores so much. When I was there, going out to eat was very cheap and Japanese food is the best so there are a lot of options. Overall, my experience was meaningful because of my friends and because I was in Japan, but the university didn't really add much to my experience.
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Pros
Location, Food
Cons
Classes, Organization, Willingness to Help
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0
Tim K
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
Japan is really expensive but there are ways to avoid the useless stuff. Once you get used to it it's not that bad. I never got used to 500 yen for a beer ($5) though.
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Overall, Nightlife, Travel, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
The 100 yen shops are good. Bikkuri ramen is good. Buy a train pass. You can get a bicycle for under $100. Don't waste your money on anime and videogames are garbage like that (if you're an anime freak). Only buy the essentials and you'll be fine.
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0
Johan N
Overall
I wish I had known...
That the Japanese classes was this hard and took a great amount of efforts. Otherwise the University's pre departure information reveales most of the things you need to know.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Go to Kansai Gaidai if you want to meet a lot of new friends from all around the world, wants to study hard and have a full schedule from the day you arrive untill the day you leave. If you want to experience a highly organized school and society is very well organized and society. Overall I believe that everyone can make their time in Osaka unforgetable aslong as you have the right attitude.
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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
Try to visit as many places you can, from the very northern parts down to the south. Go to the nearby cities, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe as often as you can. Afterwards I feel like I maybe spent a little to much time studying. I wish that I gave the culture more space. You should go to a lot of temples and a lot of cultural seeings, beautiful. Visit Hiroshima, terrible but very meaningful and interesting. Try to take all opportunities to meet local inhabitants. Thats the best way to learn the culture and how to get around. And last but not least, Have fun, be openminded! Put on your social charm, it will come back to you with a lot of friend from all around the world.
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