. . . A Treat–Kevin Egan
This is what KCP alum Kevin Egan had to say about the KCP program–
To those of you new to the culture and language of Japan before, you are in for a treat!
I had already been studying the language for some time Even though I was partially ready for my travels, it was still quite an eye-opener. There were always new places to visit, new things to do, and most important, new people to meet. My first few days in Japan were anxious, but once I got used to Tokyo’s heat and its complicated train system, things eventually worked out—take it from someone who got lost for 3 hours on the first day!
Class was a little strange at first. When I started, it seemed that everyone already knew each other, and the other students seemed to be very experienced in Japanese.
However, I used this to my advantage! Once I met some classmates, they were more than willing to help me with my studies, and they introduced me to more people. This is a good way to find activities to do during the weekend, because, believe me, staying in your dorm or at home is the worst thing you could do.
Since most of my classmates were Korean and I wanted to make friends with them, I spent almost all of my time speaking Japanese (our common language).
By the way, student 2 student, once you know Shinjuku, I recommend a place called Yoshinoya for lunch. You would not believe how much money I saved there by eating cheap. =)
I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of staying with a host family. I stayed with an absolutely wonderful family, and even now, a year later, I keep contact with them via letters and presents to the children. This opportunity may be one of the best reasons to go through KCP and also the best way to experience Japan. The more effort you put into this trip, the more fun you will have.
Currently I am a senior studying Japanese Literature. Graduating will mean a lot to me: I will be able to return to Japan. I plan to continue in-depth instruction in the Japanese language, and also begin my translation work on books and video games.
