Emphasis on Quality

In everything KCP International does, it focuses on quality. The staff at KCP International go above and beyond to provide you a thorough education, enlightening cultural experiences, and additional aid wherever you may need it. How much you learn in the classroom is balanced out with the help sessions outside of class, and your exposure to all the details of culture is complemented by a friendly staff that can help you through any experience you may have trouble with.
First of all, the Japanese language education I received at KCP International is beyond any previous education I had ever had. The program is so thorough that if you take 2 years’ worth of classes at KCP (the entire duration of all the classes within the program), even if you started with no experience, you can become well on your way to becoming fluent. Not only do they teach the basic grammar and Kanji, they also help students with their pronunciation and intonation, which is an aspect of Japanese of which there is little emphasis in American education. In five years of Japanese in the American education system, I hadn’t learned half of what I did at KCP in one semester. While that sounds intimidating, it’s very possible to do. With 3 hours of full immersion classes a day, you’re sure to become intimate with the language. One part of KCP classes that can be frustrating yet is meant to help you achieve is a mixed classroom; you have students from all over the world together in each classroom. Therefore, not everyone in class is going to know English, and some may have no knowledge of English at all. Furthermore, the teachers ask you to sit next to someone who doesn’t speak your native language. While you can’t rely on your English at all, your Japanese becomes much better because you have to rely on it instead. It’s meant to dissuade you from using your native tongue during class, when those around you might not understand you. Since you’re in the same level as others around you, you learn Japanese with them, so when you speak to each other you’re speaking on the same level. It’s the best way to practice your Japanese. The teacher gives you plenty of opportunities to practice with your neighbor, who may change over time. When the classwork gets stressful or you don’t understand it when explained in Japanese, you can always go to the English help sessions during the week, during which a teacher explains the content from class in English and can offer further aid if needed.
Next, the cultural excursion classes are incredibly fun. They occur on the weekends, and they are conducted fully in English, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on any details. The commute to new locations is covered one way, and teachers/staff act as tour guides to explain the inner workings of the city while giving “insider tips” that you can’t just learn from anyone. Plus, they make sure you have fun! There are excursions for everyone. Whether historical, travel, or pop culture-based, KCP takes students on a variety of eventful, eye-opening excursions to museums, shrines, shops, and even other cities on occasion. If you have the chance to take the cultural excursions, please do so! You get chances to go places that would otherwise be very difficult to arrange on your own, and they add a fun and educational element to your study abroad.
In the case that problems occur, rest assured that KCP International has had students with probably at least similar problems in the past. If not, the staff is trained for a variety of circumstances and put forth a personal effort to make sure you are safe and satisfied. Whether it’s getting a package shipped back to your home country or taking care of an illness, the KCP staff are patient and selfless when it comes to assisting students with their problems. They are very knowledgeable of the areas around the school and the dormitories, so they can direct you and even accompany you to places you need to go to in some instances. No problem is too insignificant for them, and they treat you with respect throughout.