Much Success
Things are going quite well: I've purchased my plane ticket to Tokyo, I've appeased KCP Japanese Language School and Lincoln University with money, I've got my budget planned out, and I just received my housing information
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Sorry I didn't see your comment post. I don't filter and/or check them, especially not that far back, so it missed my attention completely. Someone else saw and pointed it out for me.
Glad to hear you'll be joining me at KCP! I'll still be here, and living in the same dorm, so I'll certainly be seeing you around. I don't have any pic files handy of the place, but the dorms are quite a nice setup. The beds are standard size frames, but instead of a mattress, they use traditional futons. It actually makes the bed a little roomier than standard size, but if you're used to a fluffy marshmallow mattress, you may want to have some egg crate padding shipped ahead of you. I find it comfortable, personally, although I do occasionally wake up with a dead limb.
The kitchen setup is really just a wall hutch with a hot plate, sink, and storage areas. I'm here a total of 9months, so I've found pots, pans, and other cooking utensils indispensable, but also I'm a cooking fanatic. The "kitchens" are -not- furnished with any kind of refrigeration or microwave/oven, so if you're bringing foodstuffs, be mindful of that.
We have private full-baths (thank god), with toilet, faucet, tub/shower. Be careful with the water here. You can get wicked 3rd degree burns in the shower by just looking at the cold tap the wrong way.
The rooms are also TV and Internet capable. You have to furnish your own TV, and you have to order a modem and open line from the internet company through the dorm manager. The modem rental is a one time fee at around $50, and the internet will run you $30 per month, approximately. It's kinda high, but the speeds are incredible, as JP internet connections aren't bandwidth restricted unless you're downloading some terra-bytes worth of porn or movies. That's second-hand knowledge, just to clarify...
Mizonokuchi itself is indeed in Kanagawa (the southwestern prefecture next to Tokyo), but the ride isn't so bad. Compared to the other American kids placed in dorms, we're decently close. If you take the local train, you get to school in about 45-50 mins, but if you get the express (every 15 minutes) you can make it to school in 30 flat.
FYI, they'll probably tell you to take this route: Mizonokuchi (Den-en Toshi Line) to Shibuya, Shibuya (Ginza Line) to Akasaka Mitsuke, Akasaka Mitsuke (Marunouchi Line) to Shinjuku Gyoenmae.
Ignore that completely. For the same price, you can shave off 15 minutes of commute, including climbing 6 agonizing flights of stairs at Shibuya (plus fighting the massively overcrowded station). Instead, take the Den-en Toshi past Shibuya (the line will change to Hanzomon Line), get off at Omotesando, walk across the platform, and you're at the Ginza line. It's ridiculous. Then just take the Ginza to Akasaka Mitsuke, switch to Marunouchi, and off to Shinjuku-Gyoenmae.
Other little tidbits: Every weekday (except National Holidays) we get free coffee and bread in the first floor lounge starting at 7am. You can usually still find some available until around 11, sometimes until noon. Toshiko-san (dorm manager) will be your greatest asset at the dorms. She's a sweetheart and will bust her ass to take care of you if you get in her good graces. Plus, she's a good resource for study.
Laundry room is available 24/7, wash is 150yen (takes 100yen and 50yen coins only and does not give change), and the dryers are 100yen for 40mins, but only tumble dry, no heat.
There's a Daiso (100yen shop) in close proximity to the dorm where you can furnish the odds and ends of your room for a pittance, and four grocery stores.
That's pretty much all I can think of for now! If you have other questions, feel free to post on my lj (on a more recent entry ^^;) or email me at deima.ali@gmail.com
See you next semester!
Ali
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