An Unforgettable Experience Past Review
By A student (Carnegie Mellon University) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 03/27/2013 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
Japan is an amazing country and I learned so much while abroad that by the end of the 3 months I felt as if it was my home. I also became much more comfortable speaking and using Japanese. If I had the chance I would definitely go back and do it all over again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had taken years of Japanese classes prior to coming to KCP. Their placement test put me into the perfect level, where I was constantly challenged and learning. At the end of the program, I walked away feeling much more comfortable speaking and reading Japanese. I also had the ability to pass the JLPTN2 if I so desired. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The KCP staff were all extremely nice and always ready to help you, not matter what the problem. They definitely went out of their way to make sure the students are exposed to all different aspects of Japanese culture and life. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the Ikebukuro dorm, and amazing location only a 10-minute walk away from the station, and about a 30-minute commute from the school. The dorm rooms were on the smaller side, as to be expected in Tokyo, but they were very comfortable with a refrigerator and private bathroom. The common room area was great for getting together with friends to do homework or just hang out. |
| * Food: |
Japanese food is great! There is a wide variety of restaurants in Tokyo so there is always something new to try. A lot of foods are meat heavy so if you are a vegetarian or vegan it might be difficult at first to find things to eat. Also Japan does not have a lot of gluten-free options and the ones they do are very expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Tokyo is a very safe city, I never felt in danger walking around at night. If you are out late at night, always try to be with at least one other person - just to be on the safe side! |
| 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) |
Tokyo is expensive BUT there are ways to live on a budget. There are many restaurants that offer a lot of food for dinner for around 500 yen. Find these places and don't feel like you have to go out to a 2000 yen dinner every night with friends and you will be fine. Alcohol is also very expensive so keep that in mind when going out. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Become friends with the other students in your class! Chances are they aren't from the same country as you and you will not only be forced to use Japanese to communicate, you will learn about another country's culture as well! |
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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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? | Get a phone from Softbank! A few friends and I got phones and it made it much easier when arranging things to do on the weekend. We were much more active and got to explore more of Tokyo that the students who didn't have a phone. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
