AKP: One of the Best Years of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload is very manageable and you'll have more than enough time to have fun too. You're only required to take intensive Japanese and two elective courses. The electives vary every year but I enjoyed the ones I took (Anthropology of Modernity, Sites and Sights: A Pilgrim's History of Kyoto, Masks of Japanese Literature, and Fashion Practices in East Asia). It's an amazing opportunity to actually take field trips and visit the places you are learning about. Also, the professors try to incorporate language practice into their curriculum; for example, we translated the first section of a Bunraku play for my literature class.

On-site administration of your program

The administration in Kyoto was exceptional. All the staff members proficient in English and the main administrator was bilingual and fluent. The office took care of everything: they coordinated a partnership with Doshisha students to teach us how to commute to and from our host family houses to school, they helped set us up our health insurance and bank accounts, and answered all of our questions about everything (e.g. purchasing theater or concert tickets, etc). They were very accessible during the week and by emergency cell phone on the weekends. The host families were great also. I loved my host family and am still in touch with them. They are so welcoming and generous, and took very good care of me. The program size was small this year and while it was initially disappointing it allowed me to become well acquainted with everyone in the program. Overall, the program exceeded my expectations and I am so happy I did it.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host family matching and arrangments were made by the program. My host family's house was about an 45-50 min commute from school but was in a safe neighborhood. My host family was extremely kind and experienced. I did not have much of a nightlife because trains running between my house and the city stopped at midnight but it was easy, when I did go out, to stay in the city all night (there are affordable all-night karaoke places or cafes that you can sleep in).

The food quality is excellent and delicious. Host family meals are hands down the best food but restaurants in Japan are overall really good. For specialty food I would recommend Proverbs 15:17 (it is also vegan and organic) and for a good meal for a reasonable price I would recommend Ootoya (it's a chain).

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As mentioned before, the program organizes a variety of field trips (there are additional ones with your classes) and there are several vacation times to travel around the country. Some of the most memorable places I visited were the Sapporo Snow Festival (there are amazing giant snow sculptures and ice carvings, the food is also really good), Disney Sea (an original Disney themepark that's only in Japan), and the Maiko Odori dance performances in the Spring. There are also a number of temples and shrines that are worth a visit.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program helped us set up our own health insurance. It only required you to pay 30% for all prescription medication.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Since it was a requirement to live with a host family, I had to speak Japanese every day. It was great practice and I became more comfortable about speaking. I only spoke English with my friends and with the office staff only when necessary.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans