What inspired you to go abroad?
I really wanted to immerse myself in Japanese culture and learn the language. I had already visited Japan on a high school trip and fell in love with it. I knew I wanted to go back, but this time for a longer period of time.
Going out for dinner with some classmates after school
Why did you choose KCP?
I chose KCP because of it was academically rigorous. I liked how you learned "one year's worth of Japanese in three months". I knew it wouldn't be a waste of time. I also liked how most of KCP’s students were from other Asian countries. This actually encouraged my Japanese language learning because, 90% of the time, Japanese was our only language in common.
What was your favorite part about Tokyo?
I love how there is so much to do in the city. You can never be bored. There are so many speciality cafes, the shopping centers are huge, and all these interesting places (Shin-Okubo, Harajuku, Shibuya) are just a short train ride from school away.
Lunch break with the class during a school excursion
What made your experience abroad unique?
I would have to say what made my study abroad unique is the friends I made at language school. Like I said before, most of KCP's student population is Asian, predominantly from China. I stayed for nine months, and since most of the students from the US program only stay for three, I got really close with a few of my Chinese classmates that I shared classes with through each Level.
Not only was I integrated into Japanese culture just by living in Tokyo, but Chinese culture as well because of my friend group. In fact, I got so close with one girl in particular that she even invited me back to her hometown in Chongqing during school break. The only language we had in common was Japanese. If it wasn't for how inclusive KCP's culture was, I wouldn't have been able to make the friends I did.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Very friendly and always willing to help. If you have any questions there are always people manning the front counter of the office and the have a representative for each of the main languages represented in the student population.
At the summit of a mountain in China with my best friend from Language school, Tete, during the school break
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I would have tried to meet Japanese people outside the school more. The school was my life and I rarely interacted with people outside of it.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
I would wake up and make myself breakfast. I would do my homework for the day and maybe practice some Kanji. My class started at 1:30 p.m. so I had a lot of time to relax. Then I would take a couple trains to school and buy lunch from a 7/11 close by. I would then wait in the class of in the library until class started.
After class, I would study with some of my friends in the library over grammar we covered or we'd go out for dinner. Then we'd part and I'd go back home by train to my share-house.
What did you enjoy doing on your free time?
I wrote a blog, I liked writing about the little culture shocks I experienced living in Japan. I also liked going to the local festivals and eating out.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a share-house for the majority of my stay. I organized the accommodation myself so it wasn’t through KCP. I did do a homestay with KCP though, my family was so kind and super helpful, always going out of their way to make me happy.
Taken at the birthday party of one of my classmates held at her share-house with some classmates from school
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
It is academically rigorous. The teachers expect you to study every day and complete your homework. KCP is not the school for you if you just want the "study abroad experience" and party. A different language school would be more suited to you in that case.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I made life-long friendships and memories. My love for the Japanese language has only increased and now I'm continuing study on my own with plans on going back to Japan in university. Had I not gone, my future would look totally different.
At the going away party for a couple of my classmates in Lvl. 1
Would you recommend KCP to others? Why?
Yes. It is not a waste of time. You learn Japanese and you learn it fast. It is strict, yes, but the student body is also amazing. You're forced to use Japanese with your classmates mostly because of not everyone can speak English. And the way the curriculum is designed it's very interactive and you make friends with your classmates quickly through class work or through the term excursions.
