That language school on a hill: A summer of studying abroad at KICL

That language school on a hill: A summer of studying abroad at KICL

Hello! My name is Gabriel, and I hail from the sunny Southeast Asian island nation of Singapore. If you're like me from a few months back, you're probably reading this (and other) blog entries to learn more about the experiences of those who have participated in this programme. I hope the recounting of my time there can help push you in the right direction.

The top of the campus overlooks Kyoto city

I came across KICL’s summer programme while looking for short-term Japanese courses to boost my study of the language. Back then, I had been studying at language schools in my country and through online lessons, but I really wanted to get back to the region I had studied abroad in during my undergraduate days. I was frustrated with the slow progress of my learning, a stark contrast from when I was in Japan and constantly surrounded by the language. COVID, however, had pushed back any plans on visiting the country. It would only be seven years after my last visit that I would take the plunge and sign up for KICL’s summer programme. The course presented itself a great opportunity – a considerable enough time so that significant progress can be made, but short enough that I don’t risk losing my job in a turbulent job market. The only downside, possibly, would be the infamous Japanese summer heat, which I would get to later on.

Classes

 dairokugumi no rokunin – the 6 people of Class 6

The summer programme was split into six levels of increasing difficulty, the assignment for which was made based on an online assessment test we took before coming to Japan. I was assigned to Class 6, the highest level and consequently the class with the smallest number of students. Despite this, my classmates came from different countries like Korea, Taiwan, France and China. This led to a lot of instances where we were learning about each other’s cultures and countries in class.

 Our classroom, where the language-learning magic happened

There were pros and cons to being in Class 6 – while we didn’t have quizzes or exams like the other classes (more time for after-school activities!), it also meant that we sadly wouldn’t be able to enrol in the Summer Programme again. Through the three weeks, we covered most of the chapters of J-Peak (Intermediate), spanning several interesting topics such as the history of food in Japan, life in urban and rural areas, and Japan’s attractions. Coupling this were practices for reading, listening, intonation training and essay writing.

 The senryu that we wrote. Mine was about (accidentally) missing out on class

Other learning activities included an informal debate and, most memorably, a short session on writing Senryū, Haiku’s humourous counterpart. For us, the course culminated in a presentation on our chosen topic under the theme of “The most memorable thing during this summer course”. We took turns presenting to the rest of the class, giving our comments for both our and others’ presentations. The best presenter even had the honour of presenting in front of the whole cohort at the end of the programme! (As someone not too keen on public speaking, I was happy to pass on this privilege)

I should also not forget to mention the people that make up KICL – the teachers and the staff. My class had two teachers who took turns to teach us every other half of the week. Idogawa-sensei and Kawashima-sensei were really friendly and engaging, and were a great part in motivating me to focus in class (preventing my mind from wandering to other parts of Kyoto and beyond…) After class, we’d even exchange information about the different activities and places we could go to outside of class. The school staff too were a great help in making my experience in the programme a wonderful one. They are very ready to help, which played a significant part in making my experience a trouble-free one. My many thanks to them, especially Marina-san, for putting up with my email enquiries and requests before, during and after the programme!

When the final bell rings – Kyoto and beyond

  
 Why there’s a motorcycle in the university library, no one knows…

Classes were held in the mornings, lasting from 9 o’clock to noon. After the final school bell rang, we had the afternoon to ourselves for studying, exploring and other activities.

The Summer Programme itself offered workshops and excursions we could attend by lottery in the afternoons. I was fortunate enough to have gotten slots for the Tatami and Yūzen Dyeing workshops, and took home a self-made yūzen-dyed tote bag and tatami board. Others had a chance to try out cooking Japanese cuisine, playing taiko drums, and making friends with students from Kyoto University of the Arts.

As the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto has no shortage of sights to see and places to visit. Neighbouring cities in the Kansai region were also only a train ride away. The most memorable places for me were the Kamogawa Delta and Rakusai Bamboo Grove, two scenic spots that offered respite from the bustling sites of Shijo and Kiyomizudera.

The weekends presented opportunities for longer trips to neighbouring regions, and I visited Magome-Juku, Nagoya city, and Omihachiman. Being able to go beyond the Kansai region was something that being in Japan for a substantial period of time afforded, and it was nice to be able to go back to the classroom on Monday to hear how my other classmates had spent their weekend.

Beyond a plethora of shopping districts, shrines and temples, and nature sites to visit, summer is the season of matsuri. Numerous festivals were happening around and during the Summer Programme, most notably the closing of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri and the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival. There were, of course, other lesser-known events happening around, and being able to go to them felt like I had stumbled on secrets that most tourists wouldn’t know about.

This year was also special in that the World Expo was taking place in Osaka again, the first time being 55 years ago. Being around for three weeks, I grabbed the Summer Pass and visited the international event several times, exploring the different technological and cultural pavilions.

 Of course, it’s summer

Now to talk about the summer heat, something you’ll also see mentioned in the other blog posts. Coming from a Southeast Asian living in a country that’s baking in 30-degree weather all year round, Japan’s summer should not be taken lightly. The heat has definitely been getting worse over the years as well, with each summer setting new record highs. While this presents a significant obstacle to going around, a pocket fan, a UV-blocking umbrella, and ample amounts of water and sunscreen (with the occasional hiding in air-conditioned areas!) were how I got by. Hydrate constantly, know your limits and watch out for heat injuries. If even the local men are coming around to using umbrellas, you know the heat is not to be taken lightly!

 Kakigori, one of summer’s beloved icy treats

Final words

Even as Christmas and New Year’s are peeking around the corner, I still look back fondly on the highlight of this year – those three weeks in KICL. Like all experiences abroad, my time there had its fair share of ups and downs, but it’s undeniable that it was an unforgettable experience. If you’re still unsure about signing up for the programme, I’d say go for it. After all, you’ll stand to gain a better grasp of the Japanese language, friends from around the world, and countless stories to relive and tell. For me, the KICL Summer Programme experience was fleeting and short-lived, but just like a sunset in the Japanese summer, its dazzling sight continues to burn bright within the mind’s eye.