KCP Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Program in Tokyo, Japan

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.

It had always been my dream to study abroad in Japan and Park University and KCP made it possible for me. The KCP program is very intensive and is not for people who are not serious students. You will be challenged. I highly recommend knowing Hiragana and Katakana before you go, and maybe some basic vocabulary to build upon. My favorite memories in the program were with my host family. I stayed with a 70 year old woman and her cat, and she really made my experience so much better. She would help me with my Japanese if I didn't understand something and she would bring me tea/coffee and treats while I was studying. We would have "tea time" after dinner every night and have some really good conversations. She was one of the best people I have ever met! This was truly a lifechanging experience and I would recommend the homestay option!

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.

I was very impressed by how much my Japanese language skill increased during my time at KCP. It was always fun to go to class and I received help whenever I needed it. The culture class was very interesting and exciting as we got to go on class trips throughout Tokyo and experience the culture first hand. My favorite memory from the culture class was our trip to Kamakura because we got to experience so much in the short time we stayed there. After completing KCP I now want to continue advancing my Japanese language skill and also want to return to Japan to visit my friends that I have made throughout my study.

While I was only able to stay for 3 months, my time in Japan learning at the KCP Institute was probably one of the most (and will continue to be) memorable events in my life. While the program was difficult, having acknowledged this beforehand was what I feel was the key to my successful trip. I feel that it is necessary to schedule out your time, ensuring that enough time is dedicated to school work, to get the most out of this program. If you are able to do this, everything should go quite smoothly and you will be able to enjoy your time there. Beyond the classroom, being able to explore Tokyo was amazing. Even if you are a person who prefers to stay inside, try to get out at least 2 times a week. Being in the biggest city in the world is not a chance you should pass up. What I found that really helped with this was to make friends and make excuses to go out to eat, check out an arcade, or just walk around. Ultimately, make sure you don't end up leaving with regrets. Partaking in this program is a great chance to become more independent and learn about yourself.

I spent Fall 2016 in Japan with KCP, and it was the best choice for my study abroad! If you want to learn Japanese, I highly recommend this program. You will be living and going to school in the middle of Tokyo, which makes the immersion experience so much more interesting. You will learn a lot in the intensive language program, so you will have to study a lot outside of school. This program is not for people who just want to goof off. However, I managed to balance my studies and still go out and see everything Tokyo had to offer as well! The teachers are kind and understanding, and they genuinely want you to succeed. I also recommend making use of the English Support lessons, where everything you learn in regular class can also be explained to in English, just to make sure you understand. The administration is also wonderful, and they will not hesitate to help you with any aspect of life in Japan. For my entire time in Japan, I felt supported both in my academics and in daily life. As for other activities, KCP has a variety of clubs that you may take part in as well. I was in the Koto club, where I took lessons every week. I never expected to get the chance to be able to learn a traditional Japanese instrument as well. KCP was a rewarding experience, and I've already begun signing up to go back fro an extended term next year. This program is for anyone who is willing to put the work in and who wants to learn Japanese in the most efficient way.

Through KCP I got to meet a bunch of international students and converse with them solely in Japanese. My language skills improved a lot through the rigorous yet rewarding course. While only taught in Japanese, the teachers (I had Kimbara, Yamada, and Kohiyama) are great at explaining new concepts for even beginners to the language. While I made time to study, it was easy to find a balance to have fun. My favorite aspect was getting close with my host mother; we would drink together and watch sports on TV. It was the absolute best! For those really wanting to improve their Japanese and maybe even attend Japanese university, go to KCP!

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.