IES's Tokyo program was a great first experience in Japan. It had just the right amount of the familiar (for example, living in dorms with other college students who were studying in the U.S.) with the new and unexpected (staying with a host family for

one weekend, venturing out into the city alone). In terms of academics, we covered the equivalent of one semester's work in six weeks. Although class could sometimes feel long, we generally had limited homework and therefore plenty of time to explore Tokyo. The few required lectures and field trips were on the whole fun and informative (especially the weekend at an onsen in Nikko – what a treat!). This program is pretty expensive, as in living in Tokyo, but if you use your time well (whatever your goal may be) then it's probably worth it. I chose this program because I wanted to "get a feel for Japan." I didn't want to spend too long away from home, I wanted to stay in a big city, and I wanted to find a program with a good balance between academics and explore-the-city time. IES was all of these things. However, by the end of my trip I realized that I should have chosen a more academically intense and language immersive program (because I came to really friggle fragging love Japan). But hey, hindsight is 20/20. For the majority of the program, we stayed in the National Youth Olympic Center, which is located next to Yoyogi Kouen. It was convenient to be able to stay in dorms a mere five minute walk from where language classes were held, and there were cafes and a conbini in the Center as well. Regarding the dorms themselves, aside from small rooms and patchy internet, they were very nice. All the lounges had TVs, and every single dorm room was air conditioned.