Amazing study abroad experience. Past Review
By Brian B (Japanese Language and Literature., Western Washington University) - abroad from 04/09/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
I was able to talk to a lot of Japanese people and learn their perspectives on life, and culture. My Japanese also improved tremendously. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers hold you to a high standard. They want you to learn a lot and they care a great deal about their students. The classes were tough, but it's the most fun I've ever had learning Japanese. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Tanaka-san, Utami-san, and Ryuhei-san were able to help me when I ever had questions or needed help doing things such as mailing a letter. I knew I could rely on them to help me with anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose to do a homestay and I ended up getting amazing host parents. They took great care of me and I never worried about anything while being at home. Wouldn't trade my homestay experience for anything in the world. It also allowed me to practice all the Japanese I had learned in class everyday. |
| * Food: |
My host mom's cooking was the best! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
KCP put on quite a few events to help students meet other Japanese University students, however since Japanese people like to keep to themselves most of the time you really had to go out of your way to meet local Japanese people. Just try to find something extracurricular in which you can participate in. For example one of my friends competed in Street Fighter Tournaments. If you have a host family and friends who already live in Japan it helps a lot! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never ran into any troubles but according to one of my Korean classmates the health care is great. |
| * Safety: |
I felt more safe in Tokyo than any other city I've ever been to. Japan seems to be a very safe country, where even 6 years old's can ride the train by themselves. Just remember that the traffic runs on the left side of the road! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I had no problems because I had been saving up for this exchange for quite awhile. It all depends on how much you go shopping and how much you eat. A lot of things are a bit more expensive in Japan but if you budget smartly you'll be fine. My host parents also provided two meals a day for me so I didn't spend too much money on food. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be smart with your money. If you have some spending money go out and have fun, but if you are trying to live on a small budget eat smart. Luckily they have pretty cheap meals at convenience stores. I remember I could get a fairly filling and delicious meal for around 400-600 yen. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were encouraged to speak Japanese ALL the time. You won't be upset if you're looking for a Japanese intensive language program. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Level 3 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I highly advise doing a home stay, it gives you a lot more opportunities to practice the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have known to participate in more activities outside of class so that I could have met more Japanese people. |
