My dorm experience was to be cherished.
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
The US short program trip to Yamanashi Prefecture was probably the most satisfying part of the trip, as it allowed me to experience an area farther away from Tokyo that I was likely not to visit due to time constraints. It brought me into special areas (such as the recreated traditional village, and the peach farm) that I might not have found on my own, and shared an experience with friends that are more memorable than if I had tried to go about the journey either alone or with a select few.
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
Afternoon reviews before tests were helpful with understanding the material that would be tested on
Were you pleased with the general living arrangements? Anything you especially liked? Any problems you experienced?
I enjoyed the experience of living in a small one room apartment, but the best part of my building were my landlords. They are a lovely elderly couple who warmly greeted my friends and I when we returned home, and gave us cold melons to eat amidst the summer heat. The day we departed from the building, they were kind enough to offer to drive us to the station since it was raining.
