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Kailin
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

A Great Experience

Jan 15, 2016

I went through 3 levels, with 10 different teachers, and I never had a teacher I didn't like! Every single person who works at KCP is willing to take time out of their day to help you. I had friends who struggled with conversation skills and our teacher would stay after class just to practice with them for 15mins a day or so. When I had a cold I was afraid to go to the doctor's by myself, so someone from KCP escorted me. I lived in a dorm, and my dorm manager was super nice! She always threw small parties at the dorm and invited me. I've studied abroad twice before, and KCP is the best experience I've had.

What would you improve about this program?
When I got to Level 3, we started doing reading practices. We'd read a short story, and then answers questions based on it. Most of these stories were nonfiction and some of them were historical/scientific. They used a ton of vocabulary that seemed like it was a bit above my level. I wish they'd chosen easier readings.
Default avatar
Marilou
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

First time abroad: a memorable experience

Aug 10, 2015

When I was trying to decide which study abroad program to enter, I had a hard trying to decide where to go. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in Tokyo but I had no idea how to go about it. The American support staff were incredibly helpful in answering my questions and solidifying my choice with KCP. When I came to Japan, the Japanese staff was very welcoming and kind and made en effort to make me feel comfortable and welcomed.

I chose to do the Short Summer Program, which consists of two weeks of intensive study and field trips. Afterward you are mixed into regular term classes with international students. The program is very intense and you will definitely learn a lot from it. You need to be on your game all the time and keep up with your studies or it will definitely be difficult to pass classes. But, your teachers are also super willing to help and work with you as well.

There are two pieces of advice I would like to give for students who are coming to KCP:

First, expect to spend a lot of time studying. You get what you put into it, and so if you really want the best learning environment you should take advantage of all the programs and support KCP offers.

Second, you'll be giving a lot more time to schooling than you'd expect. Which means staying after class, making up exams, talking with teachers, etc. So keep in mind you might have to stay a little longer than you'd think.

Over all, I had an excellent time and I loved the people I met through the program. I highly recommend it!

What would you improve about this program?
Warn students about how much extra time they might be giving to the program (aside from allotted class time). There are times when I had plans but had to put them off because I needed to do other things for class.
Default avatar
Howard
31
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

Great program no complaints

Jun 28, 2015

- Staff extremely helpful:
reading/understanding maps, etc
struggling with classes
etc.

- Really helps improve mastery of Japanese
Japanese immersion

- Safe area
Also very popular area.

What would you improve about this program?
Provide even more events that allow us to socialize with Japanese students.
Default avatar
Spencer
31
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

Fantastic

Jun 22, 2015

Incredible program at a super reasonable price. I can't imagine any other study abroad would be better.

Great Teaching - I am generally very critical of most foreign language education (and I have experienced many approaches) but I was very impressed by all of my teachers and the teaching methodology. They were very effective and still managed to have class be a lot of fun.

Intensive, Not Oppressive - I was worried about the workload going in, but it turned out to not be too bad at all for me. I personally did homework as soon as I got home each day, which took a couple hours. I then had several free hours every evening and totally free weekends (apart from when I had my US culture courses on some weekends). I did quite well in the class and I didn't really have to study much, though, so I probably spent a little less time on schoolwork than most.

Housing - I cannot speak to the housing provided by KCP because I arranged my own housing with a family I knew. I had sub-mediocre Japanese and lived with a host family who mostly didn't speak English, which was very difficult at times but overall very fun and much more rewarding than the dorms would have been.

Criticism - The only disappointing thing I found with KCP was the lack of language exchanges with Japanese students trying to learn English/Chinese/Korean/etc. In Autumn 2014, KCP only set up one such exchange and I couldn't go because they only allowed a limited number of students to attend. It's hard to meet locals on your own.

What would you improve about this program?
Set up more language exchanges with Japanese students. My study abroad program in Spain did this and it was hugely beneficial to learning the language, provided real immersion in the culture, and was a lot of fun. Great for both foreign and local students, seemingly little effort required by KCP.
Default avatar
David
39
Male
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

Different Perspective

Apr 20, 2015

The program is extremely well put together and allows for a member to get as much as they want out of the program.The staff is extremely responsive to requests for help and information, but do not expect to merely show up for class and learn the language. The staff has no problem letting you fail if you do not ask for it (You are the one paying...). I don't mean that as a drawback, simply that if you are going to pay the cost, I recommend deciding before you go what your priorities are going to be.

The teachers, course-work, and lectures are excellent. Class composition-wise, Americans are in the minority and the majority of the students are Chinese and Koreans that are attempting to get into Japanese Universities.

To be honest, the reason I choose KCP is due to the the all-inclusive American Program package. There are cheaper routes to go, but if you want a hassle-free experience then you cannot go wrong with this program.

If you have the time, definitely recommend you do six-months. One semester is just to short to get into a full-rhythm.

What would you improve about this program?
More challenging homework. This is obviously coming from an American education experience, but the level of difficulty for homework completed versus the tests was a fairly large gap.
Default avatar
Steven
31
Male
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

KCP International Fall of 2014 experience

Apr 20, 2015

I really enjoyed my experience. The weather was great and I liked staying in Ikebukuro. I was able to go out and find places that I enjoyed eating at. Although the room itself was very small , it was fine for me. The benefits were being very close to the train station and being right in the heart of everything.
I enjoyed all the teachers and the support staff. I came in with 4 High School years of Japanese and managed very well. I enjoyed meeting many different people from different countries. , I was also able to use my Mandarin with new friends that I met. I would really like to go back again. This experience made me more confident to get on a plane and travel 15 hours from home. My world is now much bigger , and I have become a more well rounded person. Thanks KCP for a great experience .

What would you improve about this program?
Hello, Overall my experience was great I really enjoyed it. The only thing I may have done different was , keeping my level 3 instead of going to 2 . I tested into 3 but a few days into the course they suggested that 2 may be a better fit. I personally feel at this point because I am so quick to pick up on languages I should of stayed with 3 instead.

Besides having a few communication issues that were not exactly explained to me , I feel that I really enjoyed my total experience. I did feel it was a little bit hard for me to blend in and make friends, My goal was to become friends with people that lived in Japan but that was a little hard to do. The only way that I could really communicate was going into music stores and talking to the sales people. I did have 4 previous years of HS Japanese, but no University . But I felt I was ahead of most of the students that had University Japanese.

I am fortunate enough to know Mandarin so communicating with people from China was not an issue and I did make friends that way. I did at many times feel lonely. I guess it is all a part of the experience. I never at any time felt like I was unsafe. I felt very comfortable using transportation and making my way around to different areas. I am not one who drinks so many would go to bars and that was not something I was interested in. I do wish that they would of had some type of Gym or work out area for the KCP students. I did manage to find a local park that I could exercise in and I managed also in my dorm room which I stayed in Ikebukuro. I would recommend the KCP experience. I really wish I would of stayed longer then one semester. I felt all the teachers were very supportive and very nice.