Evan Edgerton’s look at KCP
Here are some thoughts on the KCP program, blended with pix of some of the fun things I did.
A view from the 60th story of the Sunshine Building in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
KCP is a good way to improve your Japanese all-around, but the program works best if you supplement the lessons with your own study outside of class.
A bridge near Ochanomizu Station, Tokyo.
Since lessons are entirely in Japanese, looking up words and grammar forms to clarify definitions on your own can be very helpful. Practicing on your own outside of class and studying things beyond the curiculum for your turm can be useful as well.
The most valuable experience I had was the multiple times I was forced to converse for long periods of time in Japanese, whether with friends, teachers, or strangers.
Saito-sensei trying his hand at archery during our visit to a samurai estate in Aizu.
Class time every day was generally productive. I generally found drill practice and pair work to be the most helpful. I didn’t find pronunciation work to as needed personally, but I know it was useful for other students. I found the composition work every Thursday to be great for improving my written Japanese.
The KCP orientation did a fine job of preparing me for my time in Japan. The advice about daily life in Japan and commuting on the trains was very helpful.
I spent most of my leisure time sightseeing and shopping. For others, I would recommend doing research before any outing in Tokyo. Make sure you know:
- the name of the place you’re trying to find
- how to get there
- what the costs will be
- what hours it’s open, and
- what kind of problems might come up.
A bridge near Ochanomizu Station, Tokyo.
Good planning can help you to make the most of your time in Tokyo.
P.S. My dorm likes–
my own room, my own air conditioner!
My dorm dislikes–
trashs sorting was confusing
bathrooms being cleaned just when I needed them . . .
