KCP Japanese Language School: Dormitory Experience

Dormitory Experience

Some students may choose to live in a dormitory setting with other young people.  A cafeteria is usually available as well as vending machines, public telephones,  rest rooms, showers, a lounge, and a coin laundry. Some dorms have a study hall,  kitchen, and entertainment center as well. The room itself is equipped with a bed,  closet, desk, chair, and desk lamp. Meals are not included in the program cost;  utilities are included. Each dorm has its own set of rules to follow.

Meal Plan

Some dormitories offer a meal plan. The meal plan includes breakfasts and dinners but not lunch. The plan is not cafeteria-style like many colleges in the West, but rather a set meal plan. We recommend you take advantage of the meal plan, since it is economical and offers greater chances to meet other young people.

If you choose to sign up for a meal plan, meal plan costs are usually collected during the first week of your KCP program. Dorms which offer the meal plan require ¥55,000 per term (¥41,000 for summer short term).

Dorms that don’t offer meal plans have shared kitchens. When you use these kitchens, you are responsible for supplying your own cooking utensils and cleaning the kitchen afterwards.

Benefits of Dormitories

Dormitory life offers a variety of advantages to independent students. KCP dorms feature private rooms. Dorms are the better choice for students who want more interaction with young people. Also, you have more control over your meals in a dormitory.

General Dormitory Guidelines

Dorms often have their own specific rules, but in general, they are a bit more restrictive than American dorms. Dorms tend to be all-male or all-female, and people of the opposite sex are not allowed into the student dorms. A dormitory manager oversees activities and operations. There are curfews for both male and female dorms.

Specific rules and hours for your dormitory will be included in the information you receive from KCP-Japan about your housing. Get to know them.

Here are some general rules to follow in your dormitory:

When taking your luggage into your room, be very careful not to damage the floor (tatami mat or carpet) by dragging bags across it. Please also be careful with furniture and other objects in the room.
Get to know the rules for entering and leaving, especially at night. Some dormitories have a name-board system.
If you are expecting a guest, tell the manager ahead of time. There are no overnight guests. People of the opposite sex are not allowed in the student dorms.
Keep the noise down. When listening to music in your room, please use headphones, particularly late at night.
Know and follow the dorm rules for smoking.
Separate trash as designated–usually burnable, unburnable, and cans.
If you use the kitchen, please clean it up just as soon as you are done. This is especially important during prime meal-fixing times. You are responsible for bringing your own cooking utensils.
You will receive a key to your room. If you lose it, tell the manager immediately. You are responsible for the replacement cost.
Lock your room when you are out.
Don’t leave your shoes outside the entrance to your room; they may be taken or thrown away. But please do use your inside slippers inside the dorm.
In Japan, people shut the rest room or shower door after leaving. So even when it is not in use, the door may be shut. Check by knocking on the door.
If you or someone you know is sick, tell the manager immediately. This goes for theft or fire as well. Participate in any fire drills, but use the emergency exits only for emergencies.
The manager or other appropriate person may need to enter your room, for maintenance, inspection, and so on. Be prepared to admit entry.
Please do not borrow money from your fellow dorm residents. Lending money is rarely done in Japan unless it is a real emergency. Even so, it is considered extremely rude to ask.

Transportation Pass

When you arrive in Japan, you will receive a train-bus pass from your dorm to KCP for the first month. Local transportation costs you incur between your dorm and school after your monthly pass expires will be reimbursed by KCP.

When school is not in session (for example during breaks between terms), you will not be reimbursed for transportation costs.

Activities that are Grounds for Dorm Expulsion

You’ll be asked to leave the dorm if you:

engage in political or religious activities
possess dangerous or explosive items
keep pets
gamble
cause trouble while drunk
fight or behave violently
disturb or harass other dorm residents
have guests without permission
break the Japanese law

Checking Out of the Dorm

When you are ready to leave the dorm, be sure to tell the manager what time you’ll be leaving. Clean the room thoroughly and return your room key. At checkout, your room is subject to inspection by the manager.