Information
Student Voice: Jad Freyha, Monmouth College, USA
Jad (foreground, left) on an AIU Bus Tour to Lake Tazawa, with the Tatsuko-Hime statue in the background.
(Photo Courtesy of Jad Freyha)
Academic Experience
My major is computer science, but I came to AIU primarily for the language courses and to explore Japan, myself. I’ve lived in several countries and I love to study a new culture by living in it.
Japanese Classes
It is much more effective to study a language in its home country. Even though I’ve only been here for one semester – which is as intensive as two semesters at home – I feel like I’ve made more than 2 years of progress! It helps to have interaction every day with Japanese students and with the local community.
I’ve already experienced a significant increase in my speaking ability and in my confidence. I can’t imagine what it’s like for students who start at the 101 level here. If they stay for one year, they would finish 206. That’s a huge improvement in ability.
Class Style at AIU
I’m from a Liberal Arts college, so AIU’s system is familiar to me, but I think some students struggle. At AIU, every class matters. Attendance, daily homework, and a lot of small assignments make up your grade, so students who are used to a university that relies only on lectures and final exams need to be prepared for that system.
Extracurricular Activities:
Badminton Club
Group photo on the Badminton Club camping trip
(Photo Courtesy of Jad Freyha, left)
I’m in the Badminton Club, which has a good mix of Japanese and international students. We practice twice per week for a total of around 5 hours, and we spend time together outside, as well. We went on a camping trip together to Lake Tazawa and we’ve had a few barbecues, too, to get to know each other better and socialize.
I’ve made many of my friends through participating in this club!
University-Arranged Bus Tours
I’ve been on a few of the university-organized bus tours and my favorite was the trip to Lake Tazawa and Kakunodate. Kakunodate was the highlight, for me. I was able to read several of the signs and talk with the locals there and when I ran into trouble, the Japanese students helped me out.
The one important thing to know about the bus tours is that you need to keep up on your email at AIU so that you don’t miss out on the sign-up times!
Jad (foreground, left) on an AIU Bus Tour to Lake Tazawa, with the Tatsuko-Hime statue in the background.
(Photo Courtesy of Jad Freyha)
Academic Experience
My major is computer science, but I came to AIU primarily for the language courses and to explore Japan, myself. I’ve lived in several countries and I love to study a new culture by living in it.
Japanese Classes
It is much more effective to study a language in its home country. Even though I’ve only been here for one semester – which is as intensive as two semesters at home – I feel like I’ve made more than 2 years of progress! It helps to have interaction every day with Japanese students and with the local community.
I’ve already experienced a significant increase in my speaking ability and in my confidence. I can’t imagine what it’s like for students who start at the 101 level here. If they stay for one year, they would finish 206. That’s a huge improvement in ability.
Class Style at AIU
I’m from a Liberal Arts college, so AIU’s system is familiar to me, but I think some students struggle. At AIU, every class matters. Attendance, daily homework, and a lot of small assignments make up your grade, so students who are used to a university that relies only on lectures and final exams need to be prepared for that system.
Extracurricular Activities:
Badminton Club
Group photo on the Badminton Club camping trip
(Photo Courtesy of Jad Freyha, left)
I’m in the Badminton Club, which has a good mix of Japanese and international students. We practice twice per week for a total of around 5 hours, and we spend time together outside, as well. We went on a camping trip together to Lake Tazawa and we’ve had a few barbecues, too, to get to know each other better and socialize.
I’ve made many of my friends through participating in this club!
University-Arranged Bus Tours
I’ve been on a few of the university-organized bus tours and my favorite was the trip to Lake Tazawa and Kakunodate. Kakunodate was the highlight, for me. I was able to read several of the signs and talk with the locals there and when I ran into trouble, the Japanese students helped me out.
The one important thing to know about the bus tours is that you need to keep up on your email at AIU so that you don’t miss out on the sign-up times!