Studying at KCP

Ian Melton, University of Idaho
Going to KCP was not just an eye-opener, but a learning experience about Japanese culture as well as the language.

Find out more: Ian Melton

Amanda Wang
I would recommend KCP to those who are serious and willing to learn and apply Japanese every day!

Find out more: Amanda Wang

Cybelle Smith
Be prepared to study a bunch, but studying gets easier with practice.

Find out more: Cybelle Smith

Erika Nicole Trnka
If you do not want to study, if you are close-minded, or if you are not prepared to work hard, then you are considering study abroad for the wrong reasons.

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Sarah Rachel McKinlay
If you were going just to go out and party, I wouldn't recommend attending KCP.

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Loribeth Tsung Gregory
Students coming into the program should not expect their experience and skills back in the States to directly translate into an ability to function in Japanese society, nor an automatic placement in to a high level at KCP.

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Jacob Richard Valletta
After reading the website, I expected a very intense 3 months of Japanese. KCP is DEFINITELY intense.

Find out more: Jacob Richard Valletta

The Faculty

David Bracewell, Ohio State University
My time at KCP was a valuable experience both in learning Japanese and in my growth as an individual.

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Stephen Moncrief
Be prepared to try harder than you ever have in your Japanese classes at home.

Find out more: Stephen Moncrief

Student Perspectives

Catalina Tiamson, University of Washington
I don’t believe that my experience in Japan would have been anything close to how incredible it was without KCP.

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David Dial
The time I spent studying at KCP was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.

Find out more: David Dial

Kimberly Frazier, Lincoln University
Before going to Japan, I thought that maybe I should have chosen a more expensive program than KCP, because they might have better instruction and I would be able to meet more people. Now I am extremely happy that I choose KCP.

Find out more: Kimberly Frazier

James Hwang, Western Washington University
The KCP program really helped me to learn the Japanese way.

Find out more: James Hwang

Student Tips

Kevin Egan, University of Washington
For those of you new to the culture and language of Japan, you are in for a treat.

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Nathaniel Downes
Before you come here, master your Katakana and Hiragana. Get a head start on your Kanji as well because you'll be seeing a lot of it.

Find out more: Nathaniel Downes

Zachary Scott Jaggers
Japan is expensive. Your first short while you will be in a very "tourist" mode including many souvenir urges. It would be wise to think "budget" upon very first arriving.

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Nicholas Park
My only suggestion is that you need to master the hiragana and katakana before coming here because it would help you a lot before going to your first class.

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Joey O’Brien
I think the most valuable part of living in Japan was experiencing another culture.

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Andy Luc Tran
Being able to use Japanese in a situation outside of a classroom. In America, all I was good at in Japanese was taking tests, learning vocabulary, etc.

Find out more: Andy Luc Tran

Living in Tokyo

Daniel Lambert
If you can, I recommend doing a homestay to those of you looking for some rare experiences in Japan.

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Erika Nicole Trnka
I came here with the intent of learning as much about Japanese culture as possible.

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Nicholas Park
My most valuable experience I've had so far was probably being with my host family and my new friends because I had improved my speaking, listening, writing, and writing everyday.

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Student Essays

Brandi Potts, University of Florida
I wanted to improve my Japanese beyond the beginning level I have stayed at for so many years, and KCP has the resources to allow students like me to do just that.

Find out more: Brandi's full essay

Phillip Buschang, U. of Colorado
I wish I could have had teachers who paid that much attention to students during my high school and university in the U.S.

Find out more: Phillip Buschang's essay

Kareem Douglas, Lincoln University
Looking back on my year-long experience in Tokyo, I can honestly say that I learned more in those 365 days then I did in my entire life.

Find out more: Kareem's full essay

Ryan Conner, University of Idaho
I was personally so impressed by the teacher's willingness to help students. They are always there for you. The teachers of KCP are tough, but they really want to see you succeed in learning Japanese.

Find out more: Ryan Conner

Photo Essays

Tony Okobi, MIT
I spent the summer of 1999 in Japan . . .
Find out more: Tony Okobi’s photo essay

Find out more: Toby Okobi's photo essay

Student Videos

Mark Frank, Western Washington University
After completing 2 years of school I enrolled at KCP to study Japanese for 6 months. Toward the end of the term we had a school Christmas party which I wrote this song for. When I returned home I created the music and video about my Japanese language experience with KCP. Currently I'm back in Japan finishing my degree at Temple University in Tokyo with a major in Business and a minor in Japanese.

Watch and listen: Mark's music video