Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Next Step Past Review

By (Valencia College) - abroad from 10/09/2018 to 12/22/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Was worthwhile and helped me to decide that I really do want to live in Japan and become a successful interpreter. It taught me life lessons that not even your generic college life can teach in my home country.

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.

Education was superb!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Transcript was processed through Lincoln University but my home college at the time was Valencia College

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved every moment of my apartment, the other tenants, and the landlord Mrs. O

* Food:

The convenience stores are life

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Japanese culture has always been an interest of mine and one that I can relate and be comfortable in.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had no experience but there were always options.

* Safety:

Always be careful no matter where you go but Japan morning or night is safe as long as you know where you’re going and what to do IF anything does happen.

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

KCP is not only an immersive Japanese language program, it is incredible teachers, unlimited support, opportunity, and lasting relationships that span beyond just the school time. For me, KCP gave me the opportunity to live in Japan and really choose if Japan was really where I wanted to be in the future and if Japanese was really one of the languages I would choose to pave that future. I lived in an apartment/dorm for three months and every morning went to the station pretty easily to get to school. School was a blast, I made so many friends in and outside of class and the lessons were more beneficial than any program or class I’ve ever seen personally in America. Every lesson, and as a matter of fact in the whole school, you are only to speak Japanese. That alone helped more than I realized at first but instantly was grateful towards it helping my comprehension and speaking skills. Most every weekend, there were culture excursions that taught me more about Japanese culture, society, and history. Learning a language is not only about the language but about the society it comes from and KCP gives that opportunity to every student besides being able to live there in general and explore for yourself. The work was challenging and definitely showed me where I need to improve to become fluent in Japanese as well and ALWAYS the teachers and staff were so eager to help. Even during our first school trip out to the park for a BBQ, everyone was so helpful and being shy wasn’t a problem at all. It actually gave me more reason to push myself so that I could make the memories I have today and will forever hold with me. I’m so grateful to KCP, so grateful for everyone I met and who helped me along the way, I’m excited to go back and actually live in Japan after I earn my bachelor’s degree. Anyone who wants to learn Japanese honestly, you wil not regret KCP and what it can teach and give to you for life.

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)

I had a very limited budget but could live off of $100 every 3 weeks.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Each week including going out for fun was about $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save at least $1000 for a normal 3 month semester. And at least $1500 for an extended semester. Convenience stores are your easiest and cheapest bet for good, affordable food. But even restaurants, unlike America, are inexpensive, healthy, and just darn good.

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

Loved that everything was 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? Self taught
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? Always speak with your classmates in Japanese and make Japanese friends. I’m shy and it was hard for me at first but I love to dance. Because of that, I usually went to the club every Saturday, became a regular, and met so many cool people I would never have come into contact with if I didn’t speak in the native tongue and practiced.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* 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?
  • Staff/Teachers
  • Accessibility
  • Immersive opportunity
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe more cultural excursions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing. I just wish I could have stayed longer.

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!