Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

The graduate courses were in English but the administration of the campus was done in Japanese. The institution made it quite difficult for graduate students to enroll in the language program offered.

ninguno

One of the biggest problems is that APU has a very hard time getting capable instructors. This is made clear due to the fact that it is unable to put out a time-table for classes until within 17 days before the semester starts. Grades are not released until two months after the semester ends, which is not very open or transparent. Courses are redundant and non-progressive. Instructors often are sub-par. The administrative staff is less than helpful and seems to operate at their convenience rather than aiding the students. Many of the problems come from a lethargic and entrenched bureaucracy that stifles any reform or improvement to the institution.

The dorms are quite small and again are isolated from everything else. Transportation from the dorms to the city costs $4 each way and takes @40 minutes. From where I lived it took @15 min. but cost $3 each way to get to the school. You are not allowed to have a car and the only other way to get to school is by scooter.

There is very little big city life here. the nearest "big city" is Oita (20 min by train) and Fukuoka is 2 hours by bus. The town itself is nice but the population is mainly older folks near retirement age. Beppu is very isolated making any travel outside quite expensive.