Embark on Your Japanese Learning Journey in Beautiful Kyoto
Have you ever dreamt of studying Japanese in Kyoto, one of Japan’s most beautiful cities? Become really fluent in Japanese? And maybe even continue your studies at a Japanese University or work for a Japanese company?
Then there’s no better place to start than the Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language, or short KICL. This popular language school is affiliated with the renowned Kyoto University of the Arts and offers high-quality, interactive intensive Japanese courses.
Together with its additional elective courses, such as university entrance exam preparation or Business Japanese, KICL will pave the path for your future in Japan.
I would like to tell you, how studying Japanese in Kyoto gave me a new perspective after I felt stuck in my job and my life in my home country Switzerland.
And how, with the amazing support of the KICL staff, I was able to successfully get into a prestigious Arts College in Tokyo.
Explore Kyoto's Rich Heritage and Culture
You won't regret choosing Kyoto as the place to study Japanese. Kyoto offers a delightful blend of tradition, art, and nature.
Despite spending a whole year exploring the city, I was constantly surprised by its hidden gems.
From the iconic Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine to the equally captivating Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Philosopher's Path, Kyoto is a treasure trove of historical, cultural, and natural wonders.
Kyoto has also a rich culinary scene. I ate far too many Matcha-flavoured desserts, went to traditional restaurants which were frequented by Geishas, and visited the famous Nishiki Market to explore all the different kinds of foods offered on this bustling shopping street.
Kyoto’s seasons, festivals, and surroundings
Moreover, the seasonal celebrations and festivals, such as the cherry blossoms in spring, the Gion Festival in summer, the colorful leaves in autumn, and the snow-covered temple gardens in winter added to the city's fascination.
Venturing beyond Kyoto's borders, one can find fascinating sites and cities like Nara, Uji, and also Osaka. Each can be reached by train in less than an hour.
Experience Comprehensive Japanese Language Education at KICL
If you decide to study Japanese in Kyoto at KICL, make sure you don’t miss the application periods.
There are only two per year. For the entry date in April, the application period is from July to the beginning of November. For the entry date in October, you can apply between January to May.
Plan enough time to prepare your application. You will receive instructions with all the paperwork required.
When you’ve successfully gone through the entire application process, there will be a written and oral placement test to determine your appropriate class level. Don’t be nervous about that. This simply ensures that you will be challenged enough without feeling overwhelmed.
And here is what the Japanese lessons will look like:
Interactive Grammar and Vocabulary lessons
Although it’s certainly not the most exciting part of language learning, the foundation of every language class is grammar and vocabulary. But the teachers at KICL manage to teach these rather dry subjects in a very entertaining and interactive way.
It isn’t just the teacher talking and the students listening during the whole class.
Every time you learn a new grammar structure, you have to put it right into practice: by including them in conversations with your classmates, or even trying to create short stories.
Presentations and Projects
One of the most interesting lessons is the one where you must prepare a project. This can include fieldwork, conducting interviews, or creating a play. You then present your project to your classmates.
There is generally a strong focus on presentation skills at KICL. Every semester, a big presentation event is held at the university’s impressive theatre hall. A representative of each class will showcase a project in front of the whole school.
Giving a presentation in Japanese in front of a couple of hundred people is surely a bit scary. But it is an unforgettable and educational experience.
Reading and Listening Comprehension
This lesson partly focuses on the structure of the JLPT tests, but also includes reading real magazine articles and listening to radio broadcasts.
So, on the one hand, you will be well prepared, if you intend to take a JLPT exam. On the other hand, these classes also help to greatly improve overall Japanese language comprehension skills in everyday life.
Essay writing
There is also a class where you learn how to write essays. The written language can be quite different from the spoken one. And there are certain rules on how it should be structured, depending on if it’s an opinion piece, a comparison, etc.
This knowledge comes in really handy if you have to pass a university entrance test.
Elective Classes and Support
University and College entrance test preparation
What is really helpful are the elective classes that specifically prepare you for the entrance exams for universities and colleges.
KICL obviously has a lot of experience with what to expect at the entrance exam and will offer tailor-made lessons and mock interviews to prepare you. These lessons got me into my dream college, but more about this later.
There are also classes to help you pass JLPT and EJU tests, which are often a pre-condition to applying for higher education in Japan.
Job hunting assistance
Additionally, courses are available for those preparing to search for employment in Japan. This involves essential skills for the Japanese job market, such as Business language and manners.
Cultural and art classes
What is really a big advantage is KICL’s connection with the Kyoto University of Arts. So you don't only enjoy the perks of studying Japanese in beautiful Kyoto. But you will also be actively involved in Kyoto's arts and culture scene.
KICL offers an art class with teachers from the Kyoto University of the Arts, which will prepare you for the entrance exam of art universities. It costs an extra fee, but you will get professional arts tutoring at the highest level.
Cultural Events and Excursions
Art exhibitions and cultural events at the Kyoto University of the Arts
But even if you don’t intend to study arts, being right next to the art university, you will always have to chance to see the amazing work of the art students on your way to the classroom.
Furthermore, there are a lot of cultural events held in the great theatre hall, such as dance performances or traditional Japanese theatre and comedy (Rakugo). You often get discounted tickets as a KICL student.
Culture Day
Every semester KICL organizes a culture day, where you try out traditional Japanese crafts.
This could be tea ceremony, Taiko (Japanese drums), traditional dance, Ikebana (flower art), pottery, etc. Everything is taught by specialist teachers in this field, and you can take home the things you have crafted.
School-organized visits to temples and shrines in Kyoto
Excursions were put on hold for 2.5 years due to Corona, but now the activity is finally re-established. So you can expect fun and educational trips to places like Imamiya Shrine and Daitokuji Temple.
Supportive and Caring Environment
Helpful school office for visa and application questions
What always stood out to me at KICL was not just the great school lessons, but also the helpful school office staff.
If you have any trouble with your paperwork ( and believe me, there’s a lot of paperwork involved when you move to Japan), the friendly staff at KICL is always there to help.
With many years of experience, there is probably not one problem they haven’t encountered before. So they will have a solution ready for basically everything. Be it extending your visa, or applying for health insurance.
Attentive teachers who ensure students' well-being
But the teachers also really care about the student’s well-being. For many students, this is the first time they are away from home. But there is nothing to worry about, as the teachers take their responsibility seriously and look after you.
If you call in ill, they’ll check on you with messages and make sure you see a doctor if they think it’s necessary.
So even though it might be scary to leave your home to go to a country so far away, as a student at KICL, you will always feel safe and taken care of.
Making New Friends from Other Cultures
Gaining a new cultural perspective
If you’re coming from a country outside of Asia, you’ll certainly be a minority among the students in your class.
But I found this to be a very enriching experience. Instead of only being surrounded by people from another Western country with a similar mindset as mine, I made friends with amazing people from countries such as Taiwan, China, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Studying Japanese and exploring Kyoto together
Being part of a diverse group meant I was never tempted to speak a language other than Japanese, fostering an immersive learning environment.
We practiced what we learned at school intensively in our daily conversations, cheering each other on and celebrating our progress together.
We encountered hilarious misunderstandings, both in language and cultural aspects, which only brought us closer as a group.
Besides studying Japanese, we explored Kyoto and its surroundings, creating lasting memories. We rented kimonos for festivals, visited temples, and ventured on trips as far as Okinawa and Hokkaido.
Personal Growth and Future Opportunities in Japan
Rediscovering My Love for Japan
My year in Kyoto marked a significant turning point in my life. Feeling trapped in my comfortable life and job back in Switzerland, I knew it was time for a change. But I wasn't sure in which direction to go.
I had been in love with Japan since my high-school exchange year in Tokyo at 17, so returning to this incredible country seemed like an excellent first step in this new chapter of my life.
Exploring new academic opportunities
At KICL, I found myself surrounded by students from all over the world, which gave me fresh perspectives and ideas about my career path.
I was inspired by the artistic passions of those around me. Many students at KICL aspired to attend the Kyoto University of the Arts and were already accomplished artists.
I realized that I too wanted to pursue a more creative path compared to my previous, rather dry, office job.
During my time studying Japanese in Kyoto, I had the pleasure of living in a beautiful old Machiya, a traditional townhouse. This rekindled my long-held interest in architecture and interior design.
However, I was hesitant to apply for another degree in my mid-thirties. Especially considering that I already have a Master's degree in Environmental Science in my bag. And an established career as an environmental manager.
Support from KICL and Overcoming Doubts
Despite my doubts, my teachers encouraged me to attend open campus days at various universities and colleges.
I discovered that the Senmon-Gakko (colleges or specialist schools) offered a more practical approach compared to universities. This was a welcome contrast to my previous academic and professional experiences.
On the recommendation of friends in Tokyo, I visited the open campus day at ICS College of Arts for their Interior Architecture & Design degree program. I immediately knew this was the place where I wanted to study.
However, I was filled with self-doubt about passing the entrance assessment and completing a degree entirely in Japanese.
But my KICL teachers were incredibly supportive, assisting me with application forms and practicing for the entrance interview.
Their helpful tips gave me confidence on the day of the entrance exam. And guess what, I got accepted!
Embracing Change and New Beginnings
So here I am now, having just started my studies in Interior Architecture & Design at ICS College of Ars. Although it meant leaving the beautiful city of Kyoto to move to bustling Tokyo, I have embraced the change and the new challenges.
I couldn't be happier with the direction my life has taken.
Conclusion
So if you are also up for a new challenge, take the leap and apply for KICL.
You will study Japanese in Kyoto, Japan’s most stunning city which is rich in history and culture.
Your Japanese skills will level up in no time, thanks to the intensive, but fun and interactive classes at KICL. You will get a student visa and can study for up to two years at KICL.
It won’t be easy, you will have to work hard, but it will pay back a thousandfold. Whatever your next plans are, be it studying or be it working in Japan, the friendly staff at KICL will support you.
So what are you waiting for, it’s time to start this new chapter in your life!
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿