Japan, a Life Expierence! Past Review
By A student (Comic Art, Minneapolis College of Art & Design) - abroad from 06/23/2012 to 08/17/2012 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
so worthwhile. This really helped mold the way i view the world, it made me more world-minded and help introduce me not only to Japan and Japanese culture but many other cultures and students. I think this program helped me mature, and taught me independence. I think studying abroad and learning Japanese and living with my host family made me a better person in every-way. I recommend it to anyone who wants a life change, a challenge and wants to become more worldly.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
KCP staff was always helpful and available |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family. While they were strict they were a lovely family, always helpful and understanding. the commute to school was a bitfar. |
| * Food: |
Food was great, my host mother provided breakfast and dinner, which was always a good home cooked Japanese style meal. I purchased snacks and lunches. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first two weeks were a real struggle. Especially since you have to navigate yourself through Tokyo. As a complete outsider with minimal Japanese this was difficult. Once I got into the swing of things it became easy to navigate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
not applicable |
| * Safety: |
I went to school in the Shinjuku area and lived with my host family in Yokohama. Everywhere was incredibly safe with police office always near-by. The kobans were extremely helpful too. As a young woman I never felt scared to go outside alone. |
| 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) |
Japan had many expenses, especially if you wanted to go out and do things. Travel could also be costly. |
| * 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? | $200-250 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always plan travel ahead of time, this can save money by cutting out unnecessary train rides. Get to know the locals and ask where are cheaper eating or drinking places. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | speak speak speak! don't be shy to always communicate in Japanese. and make flash cards, flash cards are great |
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? | practice and your hiragana and katakana! |
