CET Japan

This program takes place at Osaka Gakuin University (OGU) in Osaka, a 50 minute train ride to Kyoto, Kobe, and most of the busier streets of Osaka. Though class was every weekday for 3 hours, it was in the morning, giving time to explore after class was released. I was also able to visit many areas around Japan on the weekends, especially during holidays and when Mondays started becoming free.

Housing: I lived a 7 minute walk to campus, making getting to and from school easy. Some of my classmates lived further away, requiring a 30 minute commute. My apartment was well furnished, including a stove, shared/free laundry machine, and small balcony. As typical in Japan, I did have to get used to drying my clothes on drying racks.

Academics: Being in the 100 level Japanese class, we finished Genki 1 textbook. However, most valuable was the constant practice we got speaking to the Japanese students at OGU. I am extremely fond of the Japanese friends I made in this program, who also helped me improve my Japanese. However, the CET class moved a bit too slow for the amount of immersion we got studying abroad in Japan. Some topics we covered should have been brought up earlier in the semester, as they were necesarry to communicate. Genki 1 curriculum seems not optimal for people studying abroad in Japan. I would recommend additional self study in your free time for more growth in Japanese, which you will be motivated to do when seeing your classmates work hard on learning Japanese as well.

One downside in my academics was, besides Japanese, being required to take 3 extra afternoon classes by my US university, and OGU offered only 5 elective options for those 3 spots. Also, attendance in the OGU electives was very strict. With limited choices, the classes were a time suck, and I would have preferred more options in the classes I had that didn't require me being in class for 4 additional hours in the afternoon when I would rather be exploring Japan and studying Japanese.

The semester was unforgettable to me. However, if you are paying full tuition for this program, be aware that CET is one of the most expensive options at ~26k tuition and there are cheaper alternatives. Being on a scholarship, I chose this program for fulfilling my objectives of studying Japanese intensely and having many perks, like weekend field trips and very attentive staff. For my first time studying abroad I felt extremely safe, with the CET staff always answering my questions. The health insurance on the program is also extremely generous, and it is built in to the cost of the program. I loved my experience in Japan and would highly recommend studying abroad here.

My CET study abroad was my first time leaving the United States. While I was excited to travel for the first time and put my language skills to work, I was also really nervous about experiencing a new culture and being in such an unfamiliar environment. My mind raced with anxious thoughts like, 'Will I make friends?' and "I'm not sure if I will enjoy it there'. However, once I began taking more Japanese language classes and started to break out of my shell, I met so many unique, wonderful people, and made memories that I truly will never forget. My study abroad helped me develop the confidence in my Japanese to interact with locals in Osaka, learn more about Japanese culture, and go to so many iconic places throughout the Kansai Region! I'm truly grateful for the experience and everything that it has taught me.

Living in Japan felt like a fever dream. The immersion in the culture was great but challenging at first. Being a foreigner was hard because I had to overcome language barriers and cultural customs. Sometimes it was hard to be away from family at 18. But being in Japan taught me lots of discipline. English is not really spoken throughout Japan so it had forced me to use Japanese skills. The language pledge was challenging at times because I was not fluent but it taught me perseverance. Another part of just being a foreigner in Japan was the way I dressed and just my look had been uncomfortable for some locals. I remember sitting in the trains and having people move away from me. It made me feel sad sometimes because I didn’t know if I was making the people feel uncomfortable but overtime I realized that they’re not used to seeing foreigners as much as I am in the U.S. The CET program did a very good job at explaining the way Japanese people may act towards you and also giving a good explanation of DOs and DONTs in Japan.

I had a great time in Japan thanks to CET. They set up excursions for the students to do and it took us to places one wouldn't typically go to while traveling. Housing only a 10 to 15 minute train and walk from the school. It was located in a neighborhood filled with different restaurants and supermarkets. It was a really safe and convenient area, only a couple stops from the heart of the city of Osaka. I personally had a great relationship with the Japanese teachers, however I know of a couple friends that did not have the best experience with them. They were forced to move to a lower language class even when they had a higher language ability.

I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into when I applied for CET Japan, but it truly changed my life. The location of CET Japan is unbeatable. Being in Osaka, especially as a student at the beautiful Osaka Gakuin University, is as good as it gets while abroad. Being in the Kansai region was a great balance of city life, accessibility for traveling, and escaping to nature. After a few mere weeks in Osaka, I could picture myself living there long-term. The endless support from CET staff, teachers, roommates, and the local community is exactly what I needed while spending 3 months in a foreign country. Students in the program were very friendly and open to exploring and trying new things. I made some of my best friends while with CET. The language program is rigorous and my language skills significantly improved. The elective classes offered an opportunity to engage with other international students at OGU. I can confidently say that I was able to create a daily routine in Osaka and try at least one new thing every day. It was great to be around other students who had similar goals of travel and exploration. Boarding my return flight home, I definitely felt accomplished, and left with no regrets.

This is a great program for those who want to acquire Japanese language, as well as experience Japanese culture while also getting to learn about it in a class setting. Due to the language pledge that all CET students take at the beginning of the program, students are more likely to acquire the Japanese language. And I loved living with Japanese roommates. It was a great way to practice the language and learn the customs. And they really help you feel at home in Osaka. I had to leave early due to the COVID-19 situation, but I can't wait to go back!

Going to Japan really helped me learn more about what kind of person I am and how countries are fascinatingly similar despite outwardly completely different.There are parts of it that I love that I can only find here. I loved the sleepy Hayao Miyazaki-esque neighborhoods with their winding roads that could lead to unexpected sights, like an unexpected cafe or a small park.
Seeing all these different places helped me feel less conscientious. At times it felt very lonely being one of a few Americans and when I first came here, I felt helpless and nothing really made sense to me. Now that I have left Japan, nothing is quite the same. I’ve learned from embarrassing and difficult times and become a more confident person. The world has become a much wider and more vibrant place, and I find myself eager to explore it.

Academics: There is no doubt you will improve your Japanese. They take their academics very seriously in this program. In addition to the immersion, there is a language pledge to discourage English speaking, and they also require one-on-one teaching in addition to the regular curriculum and excursions, but a schedule is given every week so it is not hard to know what to prepare for.

Support: The staff and roommates were always very kind and happy to help. If you had a problem or concern, they were happy to set aside some time to talk it over and offer advice if you wanted it.

Fun: Karaoke nights, eating out, and excursions were really fun times for me! Even if you cannot speak that much Japanese, it's not hard to participate and get swept up into the fun. It was a good time to relax from studying, try new food and bond with others.

Housing: As long as you keep it clean, the room I had at Lavianne was pleasant to stay in, though the bathroom leaked a bit. You cannot open the screens of the windows but the room had a functional kitchen and refrigerator. The sister apartment, Arabesque, was not the same quality, I heard. One of the students living there had to clean up after a previous messy tenant and had gotten ill from a filthy AC unit, and the units are much smaller in comparison to Lavianne.

Safety: I felt it was much safer to wander in Japan than it is here in the US, particularly after dark. I often saw children unaccompanied by adults playing by themselves in parks as the sun sets and it was not unusual for my roommates to be out very late. In addition, CET takes their safety very seriously and reports via LINE chat if something changes or is amiss, and are available if you are in serious trouble.

CET Japan: Spring 2020 is a time I will never forget. The friendships that were created, the experiences I had, and the academic breakthroughs I grew from makes me want to return to Japan every day. I will elaborate on each area below, but I wanted to provide a summary of my experience in Japan.
I would like to start off by saying that my study abroad program in Osaka was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. While unfortunate that I had to return to America only after two and a half months in Osaka, the CET Administration handled the situation professionally and did what was right for the safety of its students.
While the course load for the CET Language Classes were intense, the growth in my proficiency was far beyond what I was hoping for. Due to the support I had from my professors and newly made Japanese friends, I felt that I was having a great time conversing in Japanese rather than studying all day for lackluster results. Luckily, my housing situation provided a large dining space where many family-style dinners and nights I will never forget took place. The amount of fun and great experiences I had with my loving roommates struggles to fit in this review section. By saying the housing, transportation (especially to sightseeing locations), and safety were amazing, I am doing this program a disservice. Do yourself a favor and apply for CET Japan.
Academics: I studied third year Japanese during my time in Osaka. CET Japan is famous for its rigorous and fulfilling language courses. All I can say is wow. I have never learned so much in such a short period of time. The elements of immersion and the language pledge brought my language proficiency to a level I had only hoped to achieve (keep in mind, the immersion only lasted 2.5 months). While the remainder of the course was moved online, while in Japan I absorbed so much material not only from the great professors but being able to speak Japanese with my enthusiatic-to-help roommates.
Support: While time in a foreign country can be quite difficult, CET faculty and roommates were very understanding and happy to help. Whether it was a mental health issue or having a cold, everyone was ready to lend a hand.
Fun: There were countless nights of exploring new parts of town, singing karaoke till our voices were gone, and gaming sessions in our sharehouse. While I cannot tell every story here, I say one has to experience it for themselves. This was arguably the best time I had during college, if not my life.
Housing: I was fortunate to have my own room with seven other men in a sharehouse. It was located in a nice neighborhood with two fully functioning kitchens, two full bathrooms, and a nice porch in the backyard. Each room had its own heating and cooling, so it could be set to your individual preference. The dining room was the best feature for me. It was great for having gatherings and meals with all my new friends.
Safety: Japan as a whole is famous for its safety. CET Osaka Japan's location was no exception. I cannot recall a single time (even while travelling the whole country) that I felt unsafe.