CIS Abroad - Summer in Tokyo - J.F. Oberlin University

I was able to attend 2 sessions during the summer and took the Management in Japanese Corporations and Japanese Intermediate courses. I had previously attended the January program at the same university so I knew what I was getting into. The staff and faculty are extremely kind and accommodating. The excursions were very informative, my favorite being the calligraphy lesson. There is also plenty of time to explore Japan outside of class, some classes even having field trips. If I were to compare the January and Summer terms:

- the winter is fairly mild (compared to New Jersey, United States of America) and the summer is fairly humid with temperatures being a little high.
- the summer is lot a more lively with a lot more festivals and outdoor events (ex. Firework shows) happening around Japan. There also is a lot more foreign tourists around Tokyo in the summer as well

Overall I don’t think I have too big of a preference between the two because they both offer slightly different experiences. It really depends on what you are looking to do in Japan/your travel style. If you prefer a little more lively atmosphere or enjoy the warmer weather then I’d definitely recommend the summer sessions.

With CIS Abroad, I was able to experience many sides of Tokyo, not just the touristy, overcrowded areas. Housing was located in a quiet neighborhood, and the campus was near busy Shinjuku. The onsite staff were so kind and went out of their way to help us when we needed it. They also gave us the freedom to explore Tokyo (and Japan, for that matter) safely, but without making us feel like children. I would recommend this for a self-guided person who does not want to be required to attend mandatory outings.