Welcome to my web documentary of studying abroad in Japan! I am Melody, a junior exchange student going from University of Maryland to Chiba University. This blog is intended to keep people updated with my life abroad (especially me) and the experiences of living in Japan for interested, prospective travelers.
Until my departure on September 30 is my endless task of preparations. I began researching schools in Fall '08 using various study abroad websites (IIE, studyabroad.org) and looked into the universities connected to UMD. The advantage to UMD exchanges is that credits are more transferable. Ultimately, I wanted to take some environmental classes and receive credit for them, but transferring credit looks unlikely in any situation. To those of you looking to study abroad but are unsatisfied with the campus options, I say just go with whatever looks interesting. Your chances of getting credit through exchanges are probably equal to those at separate universities (at least at Maryland).
After a lot of chart-making and comparison I decided to apply to Keio, Chiba and Hiroshima Universities through Maryland (students rank the top three they are interested in) and applied to a separate university located in Oita Prefecture (Kyushu). This university, Ritsumeikan APU, hosts a plethora of environmental and sustainability-related coursework in English compared to other universities. It is also located in the resort town, Beppu, laden with hot springs. I applied there with a scholarship because the tuition was so high, but ended up backing out of the program because the outcome for my scholarship wouldn't arrive until late May, and by then I had to decide whether or not to choose a Maryland program.
Until my departure on September 30 is my endless task of preparations. I began researching schools in Fall '08 using various study abroad websites (IIE, studyabroad.org) and looked into the universities connected to UMD. The advantage to UMD exchanges is that credits are more transferable. Ultimately, I wanted to take some environmental classes and receive credit for them, but transferring credit looks unlikely in any situation. To those of you looking to study abroad but are unsatisfied with the campus options, I say just go with whatever looks interesting. Your chances of getting credit through exchanges are probably equal to those at separate universities (at least at Maryland).
After a lot of chart-making and comparison I decided to apply to Keio, Chiba and Hiroshima Universities through Maryland (students rank the top three they are interested in) and applied to a separate university located in Oita Prefecture (Kyushu). This university, Ritsumeikan APU, hosts a plethora of environmental and sustainability-related coursework in English compared to other universities. It is also located in the resort town, Beppu, laden with hot springs. I applied there with a scholarship because the tuition was so high, but ended up backing out of the program because the outcome for my scholarship wouldn't arrive until late May, and by then I had to decide whether or not to choose a Maryland program.
Keio University was my first choice with Maryland. It is a more prestigious school that offers a wider range of courses and Maryland students don't even have to pay tuition. For those worried about funding a year abroad-- it may be cheaper than staying here. However, competition was fierce, and after being interviewed by the Japanese department, I was accepted to my second choice, Chiba University. I am satisfied to be in an hour's range of Tokyo while not having to live in the metropolis. Apparently, Chiba city is considered the "flowery city" due to its vast array of flora and its mascot, the Oga lotus. The university has a horticultural college north of the main campus, and the prefecture itself is the second largest agricultural exporter in Japan.
More on Chiba : http://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/english/tourist/index.html
In Japan, the academic year begins in April and ends with the fall semester, leaving a spacious summer break between semesters. As a foreigner, my school year starts in October and ends in August with a 2-week winter break and then a month long spring break in March. I will be living in an international dorm for my stay, excluding spring break..
While I was researching Universities (and possible minors) I stumbled upon an organization called WWOOF, which I anticipate being the highlight of my stay in Japan. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (with derivations depending on the country). People with an interest in traveling as well as sustainable living and organic farming can register to WWOOF, giving them a year's access to a list of WWOOF hosts around the globe. These hosts furnish food and lodging in exchange for the WWOOFers volunteering and helping with a range of other activities on the farm. There's a lot of flexibility regarding age and time requirements, so WWOOFers can come and go at their leisure. Such is my plan for spring break.
My first post was rather long, but I got some of the major details fleshed out. For now, I will leave you with the Chihana-chan, the mascot of the famed lotus propagated from a 2000 year old seed.
More on Chiba : http://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/english/tourist/index.html
In Japan, the academic year begins in April and ends with the fall semester, leaving a spacious summer break between semesters. As a foreigner, my school year starts in October and ends in August with a 2-week winter break and then a month long spring break in March. I will be living in an international dorm for my stay, excluding spring break..
While I was researching Universities (and possible minors) I stumbled upon an organization called WWOOF, which I anticipate being the highlight of my stay in Japan. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (with derivations depending on the country). People with an interest in traveling as well as sustainable living and organic farming can register to WWOOF, giving them a year's access to a list of WWOOF hosts around the globe. These hosts furnish food and lodging in exchange for the WWOOFers volunteering and helping with a range of other activities on the farm. There's a lot of flexibility regarding age and time requirements, so WWOOFers can come and go at their leisure. Such is my plan for spring break.
My first post was rather long, but I got some of the major details fleshed out. For now, I will leave you with the Chihana-chan, the mascot of the famed lotus propagated from a 2000 year old seed.
じゃあね!
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