KCP: A Life Changing Trip to Tokyo Past Review
By Keira Griffith (Missouri State University) - abroad from 06/22/2019 to 08/15/2019 with
KCP International Japanese Language School: Tokyo - Intensive Japanese Language Immersion
I not only learned more about Japanese language and culture, but I learned so much about myself and others. It was a personal growth experience in many ways. It was absolutely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was intensive and difficult, but also had great resources and helpful teachers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I can't say enough good things about the administrators of this program, they are exceptional people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a dorm in Tokyo helped me forge close friendships that I will value forever. |
| * Food: |
The food in Japan? Amazing. If you're a foodie, you'll have a field day in Tokyo. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going to this school helped me a lot with how to immerse myself in the local culture, and of course I got more adapted to it as the trip went along. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very! I actually got sick the first week of the trip, and the staff was very attentive to make sure I got the help I needed. Before long, I was on the mend and ready to fully embrace my study away adventure! |
| * Safety: |
Tokyo is overall a very safe city. Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world. I definitely felt more at ease in Tokyo than cities I've been to in the US. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program changed my life and going to Tokyo is an experience I'll cherish for the rest of my life. |
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) |
Being a student in Japan can be as cheap or as expensive as you choose: It's very cheap to eat good meals at convenience stores so it's very attainable to eat for very little money. However, there are plenty of more expensive dining options I'd suggest treating yourself to a couple times. |
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 |
Even the teachers that spoke English insisted on talking to students in Japanese to help us practice. We are encouraged to speak Japanese as much as possible. |
| 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? | Japanese 101 |
| 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? | Every day is practice just by communicating with people in day to day situations! |
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? | Better time management skills |
