Programs for the semi-fluent?

[grndmsteradv]

I have a bit of a dilemma that hopeful you guys can help with.

I'm currently a sophomore at a top 10 liberal arts school and am look to study abroad for one year my junior year. I'm currently enrolled in 4th year Japanese and will be taking the JLPT level 2 this coming December (I feel pretty confident).

The program that my professors recommend is the Associated Kyoto Program; however, due to the non language courses being taught in English by American professors to international students (i.e. Americans), I'm somewhat hesitant about the program. I'd love to be able to take normal university classes in Japanese (or at least be able to audit). While it certainly would be hard, I think given that I still have another year of study time to prepare I could do it (I'll be shooting for JLPT level 1 next December).

Any thoughts? Unfortunately my school, being the pompous set of pricks they are, doesn't have exchange agreements with other universities so that would be another thing to consider when giving your recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

[Samurai_Jerk]

[quote="grndmsteradv"]I have a bit of a dilemma that hopeful you guys can help with.

I'm currently a sophomore at a top 10 liberal arts school and am look to study abroad for one year my junior year. I'm currently enrolled in 4th year Japanese and will be taking the JLPT level 2 this coming December (I feel pretty confident).

The program that my professors recommend is the Associated Kyoto Program]

I don't have any specific programs in mind, but I think you have the right idea trying to take regular courses. Your Japanese will improve a lot more and you'll have a better chance of making Japanese friends. If you go to one of the gaijin ghetto programs you'll end up mostly hanging out with other international students. Even if your school doesn't have any other direct exchagne agreements, there are plenty of other programs through other universities that you can do for transfer credit and get student loans for. Your school must have some kind of advisors for study abroad. If you haven't talked with them about it already, they're usually the best place to start.