Alumni Spotlight: Young Il Kim

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He has traveled over 3 countries (Thailand, Taiwan and Japan). He is a study abroad first-timer in another country that is Japan. He went to Japan for the first time and he experienced lots of culture.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program.

First, it was the cheapest in Fukuoka. I chose the cheapest but best program because it was a program that taught Japanese, but also allowed me to experience Japanese culture.

When you go to school, there are many posters and you can read them and go wherever you want.

Second, the school is located in downtown Fukuoka. You can visit delicious places in downtown Fukuoka at any time if you want.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

This school helped me a lot.

It recognized my accommodation. I was assigned a good teacher. Also, I took one-on-one classes and all I had to prepare was to visit here.

This school did many things for me to experience Japanese culture.

I recognized the festival in Fukuoka and also how to go to the festival (train, bus). They were all kind to the students, and they answered whatever they wanted.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I have nothing to say to you.

Because you want to travel, food that you want to eat, all the school manager tells you. All you need to do is take care of it. Nice clothes, pens to study, towels and showers. Money. And I need a proper Japanese. Because all the teachers are very good at English. But if you don't speak any Japanese. It will be an English class rather than a Japanese class.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The program assigns morning and afternoon classes to students. I was usually assigned afternoon classes. I had enough sleep every morning, and I got rid of all the stress I had.

Sometimes, on the day of the morning class, I took a trip to Fukuoka in the afternoon, and if you want to study Japanese a little more, you can stay at school and talk to the manager. Also, if you ask the manager, you can participate in Japanese volunteer classes at a reasonable price. I took Japanese conversation class for 3 hours at 100 yen.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

This was the first time I went to Japan.

I knew nothing about Japan.

I had no idea how to ride a bus or subway. Of course, Chinese characters could not be read, and Japanese could also do a little bit of Hiragana or a little bit of Katakana.

But whenever I hesitated like this, the Japanese helped me kindly.

That's why I have to speak a bit of Japanese. If you ask around when you are in trouble, they help you by any means possible.

It doesn't matter if you don't speak Japanese, everything in Japan is written in English, even on the bus! Also, I want you to buy a SIM card in Japan.

I arrived in Japan for the first time, and I didn't know how to get on the bus, so I searched on the Internet. There was everything!!

Were you able to travel while doing this program?

Of course, the program has morning and afternoon classes.

If you are in a morning class, you can travel in the afternoon. Even if you travel around Fukuoka for afternoon classes, you can see a very nice night view.

Fukuoka is a big city in Kyushu. If you want to go, you can go to cultural assets, hot springs, or anywhere. You can go anywhere in Kyushu in two hours and three hours.

I mean, if you want to learn Japanese and travel to Japan, don't hesitate to do this program. I have had a lot of experience for a month. I am grateful to everyone in this school. They said I was welcome to visit any time.