Japan has the right idea about how to live life. Past Review
By Hector S (Asian Studies/Civilization., Brookdale Community College) - abroad from 10/11/2012 to 12/20/2012 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
It was the best decision I've ever made.
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. |
This school is very intense but well worth it. If your goal is to learn Japanese and immerse yourself into Japanese culture, this is the right place to do it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators are all very helpful and caring of the students and will sort out any problems you might have before they even begin. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love my host family. I wish I didn't have to leave them. Communication is not always easy because I am not fluent, but we manage. |
| * Food: |
AMAZING. OKONOMIYAKI. EAT IT! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Obviously, when you are not Japanese and don't speak Japanese, you stick out. Blending in is difficult when you first get here. But keep trying and practicing your speaking. You will be amazed how much better your speaking will get after even one term at KCP. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Tokyo is such a safe place. You really have to experience it to believe it. |
| 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) |
Living with a host family, I learned a lot of trick to living efficiently in Japan. My average was about $10 - $20 a week on food. And not crappy food either. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $10 - $20 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Please check my blog for money saving tips in Japan. www.goabroad.net/hsantiago2 |
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 |
The language is required. The school is host to students from countries all over the world. The only common language between them all is Japanese. Thus, the classes and all interaction must be in Japanese. |
| 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? | Level1 |
| 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? | Study the different sentence patterns you will learn and practice them every day. |
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...lol. |
