Reviews of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) | Japan

Useful | 4

ninay

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Oita, Japan
Social Sciences, Undergraduate, Independent

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

Since niether English and Japanese are my mother language, plus I don't use just either of those two but both together at the same time overhere, so my communication skill with people here is very strange. We use both Japanese and English in one sentense... it is not very good when you are not ace in one of these two languages. Although I am glad to speak better English and take up Japanese as another language.

Useful | 4

jjho

,
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

The cost of living, and the weather

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

1

Costs

3

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

Very unique university in Japan. Apply bilingual teaching(Japanese, English), and plenty of chance for cultural exchange here.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

50% of International student + 50% of Japanese students = Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). Best place to have a unique experience.

Useful | 1

Anthony T

Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Independent

Academic

Course recommendations

too asia

My academic experiences

Quality of courses

Variety of courses

Access to resources

Interaction with teachers

Interaction with international students

Interaction with local students

Personal comments

emm more studies than social activities

My opinion of the university assessment

Exams at end of course

Exams throughout the course

Essays and/or projects at the end of course

Essays and/or projects throughout the course

Overall

Useful | 2

M C

University of Washington, Seattle, Seattle, United States
International Relations, Graduate, Independent

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Personal savings

Other sources of funding:

Other

Work opportunities:

I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits

Housing, mainly utilities, was more expensive than at home. Travel and transportation was VERY expensive. Again the school is very isolated and at @ $6 a day for the bus it quickly adds up. Nighlife wise the average pint of beer in Japan is $5 but the transportation home is very expensive (taxi is $20 for 2 miles)

Overall, Travel, Nightlife, Housing:

was more expensive than at home.

Telephone, Food:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

none

Useful | 16

aimee k

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Oita, Japan
Sociology, Undergraduate, Independent

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

much more convinient and practical, more space, and easier to mix with the japanese citizens

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

Because APU is situated an top of a mountain, the dormitory could get a little laborious, but because there are so many people living there from all over the world, it was a great place to sit and discover new things about other people and their cultures

Useful | 4