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Akita International University

Japan 2018/2019 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Japanese Language and Culture

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2018
spring 2019

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-08-24 - 2019-07-29

Number of months:
11

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

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
online application

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

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
passport, picture
documents from MU necessary for recieving student visa

Length of wait for visa:
one week

Fee for the visa:
none

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
- choose option -

If not, why not?:
It was signed just by MU

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
no

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?:
In orientation week through AIU information system. Limit is 12 credits and changes can be done aproximately for two weeks.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
yes

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
12 credits for one semester

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Teaching methods were very good; classes were interesting and teachers were very friendly which created good study atmosphere and it helped students to be motivated to work hard.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
very high

How did you receive study materials?:
through AIU information system or in the class

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
KADO and SADO class
Japanese Art History

How well is the school library equipped?:
Perfectly

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Many IT rooms available, internet anywhere on campus

Options from printing and copying:
available in library or IT rooms

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
In the orientation week there is many events that help students to make new friends and feel comfortable. For example AIUlympics.

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

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
University Village

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
250 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
Everything can be bought in the city or AIU Buy and Sell FB page

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
together with application form in AIU system

What are the catering options?:
cafe or cafeteria

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
slightly more expensive

Transport to location of placement:
by plane and then bus or taxi

Rough prices for transportation:
taxi around 18 euro from the airport and plane ticket around 40 euro

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
ANA has cheap tickets for foreigners (this value is called "Discover Japan")

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Bus to the nearest mall is 200 yen (2 euro) one way. By walk around one hour.
Also possibility to borrow bicycle.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Visa

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?):
AIU gives insurance card after arrival but recommends to arrange one at your home county.
Aproximately 200 euro.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
no

Did you work during your studies?:
no

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
it is possible if you have time

Tips for free-time activities:
clubs

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
200000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
10

Total number of months:
11

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

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

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
9000 EUR

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 EUR

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 EUR

c/ amount of other fees (which):
9000 EUR

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
850 EUR

a/ of which for accommodation:
350 EUR

b/ of which for catering:
480 EUR

c/ travel and recreation:
20 EUR

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
39

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
59

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
no

What problems did you have with recognition?:
none

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

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

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

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
no

What would you recommend to take with you:
Souvenirs

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
Good atmosphere in the classes and amount of clubs.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Nothing.

Further comments: