The best experience or my life...so far. Past Review
By ヘクター サ (Brookdale Community College) - abroad from 10/10/2012 to 12/21/2012 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
I learned a lot about the culture living with a host family and activities with native Japanese students. It was absolutely worth every second.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
KCP is intense and I loved every minute of it! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty at KCP are very helpful and will go out of their way to help you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose to live with a host family and it was the best decision I made while in Japan. |
| * Food: |
I'm a foodie so I can say that the variety of food in Japan was phenomenal. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The language barrier is always an obstacle, but I think I adapted very well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
It took me a while to learn how to manage my money in Japan, but once I did, I was much better off. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | http://www.goabroad.net/hsantiago2/journals/11081/stretching-your-yen-a-survival-guide-to-study-abroad-in-japan |
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 |
It was mandatory!!! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Japanese 102 (equivalent to 1 year) |
| 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? | Practice speaking as much as possible. |
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? | how to save money...I would have lasted a bit longer there. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
