Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best language school in Tokyo! Past Review

By (-) - abroad from 07/06/2017 to 03/30/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to an intermediate level of Japanese and a good understanding of Japanese vocabulary that forms a solid framework for your own self-study should you continue. Being able to live in another country was also enlightening. It was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I studied at KCP for 9 months, and I will recommend the school to anyone serious about learning Japanese. I had friends in other language schools around Tokyo, but from what I can gather KCP is by far the most academically rigorous. The workload is not for everyone though, and if you just want to come to Japan to slack off and have fun I don't think this school is for you. My favourite things about KCP were the fact that most of the student population are Chinese and Korean, so you're forced to from the beginning to speak Japanese to them to communicate and you get to learn simultaneously about their culture while learning Japanese. Also, there are field trips every term and they really serve the bring the class together. Everyone would always look forward to them, and though you might not be able to communicate well with your classmates, you can create great friendships. If it wasn't for KCP I wouldn't have met Tete, my Chinese friend, who during the term break took me to her hometown in Chongqing in China and gave me a tour. KCP is also like a school; there are clubs and it's in a dedicated multi-storey building with a cafeteria. Highly recommend.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Without a hitch.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They offer homestay and dorm-room living options. I stayed in a homestay for 3 months and loved every minute of it. From what I've heard from others as well, their host families were also extremely kind.

* Food:

There are food vending machines at the school and many restaurants near by. The school also has multiple micro-waves.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Probably my favourite part about the school was how much real contact you got with the other, predominately, Asian students. You were encouraged to talk to each other and bond through the course curriculum, but also through the seating arrangements. If possible you had to sit next to someone from a different country to you. The school really stimulated cultural integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If you are staying for 6 months plus you have to sign up for national health care. The school makes it very easy to organise that.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The schooling is pretty intense and you do have to get used to the Japanese work ethic. But it's NOT a waste of time which I feel like other language schools are. It's a multi-cultural environment that encourages cross-cultural friendships in class and through the class excursions and curriculum. It is also well located.

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)

Quite easily. Food in Japan is cheap. Accommodation isn't but if you live in a school provided accommodation it shouldn't be a problem. It's just up to you whether you run out of money or not. Tokyo is an exciting city...

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent around $250 a week on food, shopping and transport. I wasn't trying to save though.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Ask the school about getting the commute from home to school free. The school can provide paper-work that you can give to the train line staff you take the school that allows travels from home to school to be free.

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

You basically weren't allowed to use anything BUT that language, xD

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? None
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? Get out there and actually talk to Japanese, it's easy to just get caught up in the routine of school and miss out the opportunity to make friends to Japanese themselves. I suggest these language exchange apps for making Japanese friends you can meet up with: HelloTalk and Tandem.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Multi-cultural exposure with the students
  • Intense Japanese instruction
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Perhaps how they handle the culture shock from predominately Western students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little bit more about Japanese culture before joining this program because I definitely had a culture shock at the beginning with how the schooling was conducted. I felt disrespected with how students were treated as inferior, but it's nothing personal and it's just Japanese culture. Status is very important and is acted upon. For those not used to status-related treatment, it can come across as rude.

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 Linguist
You 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!