Experiencing Tokyo through KCP Past Review
By Vivian Uhler (Bergen Community College) - abroad from 10/07/2016 to 12/23/2016 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
I learned to be independent in a foreign country. It's a wonderful experience.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program is intense, but you will learn so much. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very supportive, not only with school related things, but they will help you with adjusting to life in Japan. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had my own private room and bathroom. The dorms were a short train ride from school and in a very fun and safe neighborhood! |
| * Food: |
The dorm I stayed in did not provide a meal plan, but food in Tokyo is very convenient and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
KCP gives you the opportunity to interact with native Japanese speakers, and living in Tokyo lets you meet plenty of people who love sharing their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The administration at KCP will accompany to you doctors and clinics, as well as providing a sick room in the school. If you are sick, do not be afraid to tell your teachers or the administration! They will help you! |
| * Safety: |
Japan is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I learned more Japanese in this program than I did in 4 years of high school and one year of college. The teachers and staff truly care about students and are like family. I plan on going back in the future! |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Tokyo is very easy to live in on a budget. However, there are many fun things to do and see, so bringing money for sightseeing and shopping is a must. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 70-90$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go grocery shopping if you don't have a meal plan. Plan out your meals in advance. Buying pre-made meals from the convenience stores everyday can end up being more expensive that grocery shopping. |
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 classes are completely in Japanese, so you must use the language. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed a year of college Japanese |
| 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? | KCP will provide you with all the materials you need to succeed. Before coming however, make sure you have a good grasp on hiragana and katakana. |
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? | I wish I knew that I was going to be studying a lot. I thought the program wasn't going to be that rigorous, but it was and I'm glad. |
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! |
