ISOIS ▸ Final reports

Ac. year:
Country:
Institution:
Mobility type:
Program:
Faculty:
Study level:
Click here to return to the list of reports...
Language has been changed.

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS)

Japan 2022/2023 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Social Studies

Field of study:
International Relations / International Relations

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2022

Period of placement (from-to):
2022-10-01 - 2023-02-28

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
School webpage

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Motivation letter, application

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
6 months ahead

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Passport, letter of acceptance

Length of wait for visa:
Few days

Fee for the visa:
None

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Online. You could make changes for about 2 weeks after the start of the semester. There were subjects foreign students could not take and we were not allowed to take master classes even if we were in our master's program.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes. At the end of the semester and for some classes every week during the semester.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
yes

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Depending on the class, the methods and assessments varied. The classes were more theoretical. We mainly had essays to submit.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
Worse

How did you receive study materials?:
Online or printed in class

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Chinese political economy

How well is the school library equipped?:
Did not go.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
The classes were mainly online so having my own notebook came in handy. The wifi almost did not work for me on campus.

Options from printing and copying:
At the dormitory.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
- choose option -

If yes then what?:

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
5

or describe in your own words:
Due to online classes and no events happening, there was no possibility to get to know people around since we were mostly in our rooms and the common rooms were closed.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Dormitory

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
300 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Electricity and water were not included

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
The room is very small. There is no cupboard to put your clothes in or a place to prepare your food. Every new student has to buy everything because we had to throw everything away.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
3 months ahead.

What are the catering options?:
There were not many options for where to go to eat around the campus. I mainly cooked my own meal.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Compared to Czechia, the prices are about the same.

Transport to location of placement:
The dorms were on campus.

Rough prices for transportation:
It is good to get a bike in order to move around because the university is very remote. To get to Tokyo and back costs around 15 euros.

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
It is convenient to buy a PASMO card.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Train

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
After arrival, you have to sign up at the local city hall and insurance.

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
We were asked to pay for two types of insurance.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
Yes, with insurance, you pay 30% of the expenses.

Did you work during your studies?:
I did an unpaid internship.

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
Working permit.

Tips for free-time activities:
Explore the surroundings, go hiking, and get a bike. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do around the campus.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
100000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
10000 CZK

Number of supported months:
5

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
JASSO scholarship, my own

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0 CZK

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 CZK

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 CZK

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 CZK

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
20000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
9000 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
6000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
5000 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
The travel expenses are high. Food is not that expensive unless you go to a restaurant every day.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
13

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
26

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
None

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
3

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
4

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
4

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
The rooms were very cold and dark.

What would you recommend to take with you:
Warm clothes for winter. However, you can buy everything in Japan.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
Nothing much

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Lack of events organized by the university, no in-person meetings, very bad accommodation conditions and cold rooms and classrooms.

Further comments: