KCP provided the focus that I wanted.
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
I think one of my favorite experiences was going on the Kamakura Trip. If we hadn't gone, I never would've gotten the chance to experience sleeping on tatami mats or eating a Japanese-style breakfast. Also, it was wonderful to see all of the temples and the Japanese traditional wedding that happened to take place during one of our outings.
Why did you select this program?
I was taking it for credit, but also I wanted to solely focus on the language nd culture aspect of Japan during my studies. Other options that would've enabled me to use loans and scholarships involved taking classes that had nothing to do with my major or interests. KCP provided the focus that I wanted.
What were the most productive and interesting aspects of the program for you? The least interesting and productive?
I think the most productive part of the program was all of the international students that I was able to befriend and communicate with that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. It really made me feel like I was using Japanese in more than just a studying aspect, but also as a means to make friends and have fun. There wasn't really anything that I found uninteresting. I thought the entire experience was great.
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
I spent a lot of extra time studying key rules with teachers after classes, which I needed and really helped, but I found comfort in speaking more when I was with friends, so I think both experiences were equally helpful and necessary.
What did you find most valuable in the Culture Course?
I thought that the Japanese psychology lecture was one of the most interesting and eye opening into the culture and differences between Japanese culture and my own.
Any further thoughts or tips for those considering the program or new KCP students?
I think that it's a really great program no matter how long you take it, but having only taken it for a 3-month long semester, I must suggest to take it for a longer period if possible. I had a hard time adjusting to classes and didn't really get comfortable until a great deal through the semester. Also, I wasn't able to really get to know the people in my class until a bit later, because I was still linguistically adjusting.
Any other comments or suggestions?
Once you are able to make friends from your class and outside of your own country, it really helps you learn the language better when you're forced to use it in order to have fun and communicate. It helps a lot in class and outside of class.
