Drill practice in class was the most beneficial. It kept you on your toes!
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
I enjoyed the field trip to Kamakura very much! Although I'd been before, Tanaka-san's explanations were educational and entertaining, and it was a great experience to stay in a traditional ryokan. I'll admit I wasn't looking forward to the undoukai, but it was a lot of fun, too! The acitiviea were well planned and interesting (for example, the "big pants" race was much more challenging as it went on with other props!). Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about it, as well.
Why did you select this program?
My friend and former classmate recommended KCP. I was taking a gap year between my Master's and starting in a PhD program and wanted to brush up on my Japanese and remedy my deficiencies. Sabra said the program was intense in that it was immersive and there are higher standards than those we encounter in US courses (for example, being required to at least attempt to writing kanji on all assignments, rather than just on kanji tests). It seemed like the best way to improve my language skills.
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
Drill practice in class was the most beneficial--especially when the instructors called on us randomly (individually or in pairs). It kept you on your toes! I also LOVE the kanji textbook! It was the first one I've used in which the vocabulary we learn and practice in class correlates to what we learn. My only complaint is that sometimes the example isn't clear about when strokes should touch or not when handwriting them.
