Japan Center for Michigan University
Homestay Option: Yes
Maximum Language Credit: 1-2
Strong Points:
- Japanese Language program is very strong for earlier years, lots of practice and instructors are very helpful and skillfull, willing to meet with students several times during the week for help, In a smaller rural city, but close to Kyoto and Osaka, many opportunities to practice Japanese, close knit environment with 40 students. (fall, 2007)
- Teachers are tough but good. Hikone really makes it feel like you are in Japan. All American students are really into Japanese. (summer, 2005)
- Very intensive, provided conversation partners, weekend homestays, and culture classes. Good location. (summer, 2005)
- The school is located in a very excellent location that allows contact with many Japanese college students and is very close by train to larger cities including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Nagoya. The school provides each student with a bicycle which is convenient for all transportation purposes. Students may arrange a homestay that is a suitable length of time for their own needs. (summer, 2003)
Weak Points:
- Upper Levels of Japanese to reading focused and not enough practicing speaking in class, surrounding town can be limited for fun things for college students, some of the accompanying courses taught in english are not sufficient, especially some taken at surrounding Japanese Universities (fall, 2007)
- Lots of work. Not many people were able to do homestay (long-term) but most everyone could do one weekend (summer, 2005)
- Poor facilities (issues repairing bathroom, etc), no meal plan for living in dorms, covers less kanji than Duke program. (summer, 2005)
- The program was more expensive than it seemed in that homestay students were provided with all their meals from the same tuition cost as dorm students, however dorm students had to pay for all food expenses from their own pockets. The field trips were very poor. The cultural activities were alright, but all in all the school did not arrange much contact with members of the local community. However, it is easy for ryuugakusei to create their own independent relationships and activities given the small town atmosphere and provided bicycles, as long as the student is independent and outgoing. (summer, 2003)
