<p>I also went to ICU and Tsukuba.</p>
<p>ICU is an absolute study abroad dream. Excellent language education, great location, and a fair number of modern (read: NOT Japanese-style) dormitories.</p>
<p>However, it does have its downsides. Here are a few that I remember: </p>
<p>1) Eigo-bandits: Basically, these are Japanese students/locals who will do their best to get you to speak English with you. They have reduced in number since the 90s and early-2000s, but I hear they still lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce on you with a hearty "haro!"</p>
<p>2) ICU is in a forest... sorta: Forest = trees = moist ground = mosquitos in insane numbers. I never had so many mosquito bites in my life. I haven't had so many since. </p>
<p>3) It's in Tokyo: Kichijyoji and the rest of the delights on the chuo-sen can be, well, distracting. And expensive. If you don't get a dorm, expect to pay an exorbitant amount for a dinky little "manshon."</p>
<p>4) Too many English speakers: Seriously, way too many.</p>
<p>5) Weak non-Japanese course listings: This is a problem, however, at all of the Japanese universities (in my opinion.)</p>
<p>Tsukuba has some strengths over ICU, and some weaknesses. I'll just do a +/- list.</p>
<ul>
<li> It's really quite well-known, and name dropping "Tsukubadai" with Japanese will never cease to amaze them in the future. It's almost absurd.</li>
<li> Fewer English speakers. Many many fewer.</li>
<li> I'm thinking...</li>
<li> Oh, one thing that Tsukuba has is...oh wait... no...</li>
<li><p>It's now connected to Tokyo through an express train. That's a plus.</p></li>
<li><p>It's in Tsukuba (seriously, this sucks.)</p></li>
<li><p>Life sucks without a car</p></li>
<li><p>Many fewer English speakers. Many many many many many fewer.</p></li>
<li><p>All the dorms are "Japanese-style." Have fun in the summer and winter.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Seriously though, I'm glad I went to both. I just kind of wish I had known what I was in for at Tsukuba a little more.</p>