Muzukashii Past Review

By (Political Science And International Studies, Western Washington University) - abroad from 04/05/2012 to 06/22/2012 with

KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile, as much as I may be a bit unhappy about how some things went down. I don't regret it. I learned a lot. It gave me a new perspective on culture, race and life. I made some good friends, kept some old ones. Feel more independent. Increased my understanding of the language. Overall, great personal experience of living there - the school I could have done without. But just being in Japan was something I always wanted to do since I was little, so I don't regret it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were intense, but not in the way I would have liked. It was a lot of busy work. I tested into a specific level because they told me I was good at grammar, but not good enough at speaking - then, the class was mainly focused on grammar, which I already knew. So why did I get tested into that level? The material coursework for each level of study that they had was a bit confusing in its organization.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The english advisors were very helpful with any questions or information I needed, school-related or otherwise.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was terrible. Tiny room, with a "bed" that was actually a squeaky old metal bunk bed with a thin layer of cotton as a "mattress". I ended up buying my own futon because my back began to hurt so bad I didn't want permanent problems. The dorm's washing machines were very old and didn't work well. The dorm manager didn't speak english, which made problems at the dorm hard to handle. The dorm had a ridiculous rule - no one of the opposite sex was allowed to set a toe in my room, or the punishment was being kicked out of the dorm and onto the street of a foreign country. I understand living in another country's culture, of course, but for my living condition, as a 21 year old adult (and there were many much older), paying about $1000 a month to live there, I believe the school should look into a better housing situation for Americans. Also, I was promised a food-plan with cafeteria option up until a week before I flew over, they suddenly told me that there was no cafeteria option.

* Food:

I cannot actually rate this because the program did not offer a food plan. I was responsible for my own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I also can't "rate" this either. What does this have to do with the program, exactly? I was a white American woman in Japan. I don't regret the trip and I learned a lot, but I was often treated rudely and with contempt simply because I was not Japanese.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I can't actually rate this one either because I had no health problems. Maybe you should create an opt out of the rating thing.. geez.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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 is expensive, but I was prepared for that.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $200.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at 7/11 every day, you'll lose 20 pounds and save $1000.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 301
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Full integration into the language, only Japanese spoken in class.
  • Other non-Japanese speakers from foreign countries besides the U.S. allowed non-native conversation in Japanese practice just to communicate.
* What could be improved?
  • The living conditions of the dorm.
  • Western and KCP need more communication on difficulty level of material in order for full credit to be given when the student gets home.
  • Western has admitted to me they have never actually seen the school, so maybe they should check it out before recommending it...
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That if I had tested into a higher level at KCP, then maybe I would have gotten Japanese language for it, which was my original intention.