ABK dorms

[poh]

Hi all,
I am interested to study at ABK(Asian Sudents Cultural Association Japanese Language Institute)tokyo, but hesitated by the fact that they draw lots for admission to the school dorms.
I tried to ask the school,but they have yet to reply...Does anyone who studied at ABK, has any idea if they will make arrangements for alternative accomodation? If so, are the dorms as affordable and close to the school?
Thanks..
Poh

[Kirirao]

I studied there 2 years ago. Didn't have any lot drawing at my time tho. Stayed at yamabuki dorm which is for male(1st and 2nd floor)+female(2nd and 3rd floor). Since you're a girl, I'm guessing your choice is either ABK dorm, fujimae dorm(girl only,usually packed full) or yamabuki. Theres a few others that I don't know tho like nippori dorm etc..

What I'm interested to know is when are you coming to Japan? October Admission or April Admission? If its April then its should be easy to get a dorm. Since most of the students graduated already. If its October then it will be really hard(if you're picky but if you're aren't there's shouldn't be a problem) get any since you coming in in the middle of the season. Tho I really think you don't have to worry since they will set you up with another residence like when one of my junior that came here. No space in fujimae or abk so they set her up somewhere else. (I forgot where tho. sorry)


Does anyone who studied at ABK, has any idea if they will make arrangements for alternative accomodation? If so, are the dorms as affordable and close to the school?

http://www.abk.or.jp/jls/e/dormitry.html
Considering ABK have quite a few of dorms, which dorm are you considering to go and what do you consider as an alternative accommodation? Place like LeoPalace or the sort?

ABK dorms short summary.
ABK dorm - yes, cheap and small as hell, all the utilities are free(including internet) and its inside the school. Most people dislike staying here because its small and most of the time you have to share the room. some of my friend whom stays there always came to the class in their PJs. heh
Fujimae - I think its cheap enough. only have to pay for the electricity, 4 mins walk to school really near.
Yamabuki - Cheapest and have the largest room + kitchen. A bit far, but if you buy the Student Pass it will only cost you around 4000 yen per month. I used to ride my bicycle to school, took around 30 mins.

Theres akabane and somei and one at nippori too, but no info about those tho.


Just curious, are you coming here through an agent? Or did you apply on your own? or scholarship?
If email fails, try calling them, don't wait till the last second, they are probably busy right now since its the University Searching/Exams season right now. They have people who can speak chinese korean and probably english(never had the chance to meet the guy, so I don't how how well he can speak), so I'm guessing it shouldn't be a problem to call them directly.

[poh]

Hi Kirirao,

Thanks for sharing some info.

I am looking at the enrollment next April, I would consider Fujimae as my first choice,since rooms are big,and it's close to school,but does that mean I have to share public kitchen with the whole level of residents?
Yamabuki looks good,because each room has it's own kitchen.But how much does the dorm fees amount to since you have to pay your own electricity charge(average$/per month) ?
But ultimately,are we able to state preference of dorm,or we just take whatever is allocated to us?

For alternatives, I am thinking of guesthouses that cost below 60,000 yen(m increasing my budget range in reluctance.haa). LeoPalace sounds expensive with all the extra procedure fees and it comes without furnishings, am I right?

I am applying on my own, and,yes I need to call them instead,esp when application dates start beginning of Sep till Oct. By the way, do they take in application on first-come-first-serve basis,closes early when they meet quota?

Btw, how do you find the studies at ABK? Would you recommend?
My other choices are Tokyo Foreign Language College and Japanese School Affiliated with Tokyo International University.Have you heard anything about these schools?

[Kirirao]

Yea, fujimae definitely will have lot drawing, considering a lot of the other girls will want to go there too.


I would consider Fujimae as my first choice,since rooms are big,and it's close to school,but does that mean I have to share public kitchen with the whole level of residents?

yes, from what I heard from my friends who lived there, you will be sharing kitchen and toilet. I think you will be sharing rooms too.


Yamabuki looks good,because each room has it's own kitchen.But how much does the dorm fees amount to since you have to pay your own electricity charge(average$/per month) ?

Depends on your usage and the season. Electric fee goes up and down depending on the season. I can't remember quite clearly tho, but mine is around +2,500-3,500yen per month(minus 700ish yen from the amount - basic fee for the electric). But I don't turn on the aircon all day long in the summers nor do I use the heater all day long in the winters(electric blanket is best for the poor like me hehe). But I do turn on my PC on all day long.

So if you're turning on your aircon or heater quite alot, I believe It's gonna cost more then mine.


But ultimately,are we able to state preference of dorm,or we just take whatever is allocated to us?

After you sent your application, they will sent you your COE (certificate of Eligibility) + dorms list where you can put your choices down and sent it back to them. Yamabuki was my first choice, and I got it. There's not alot of people who wants to stay there tho. Considering its far and the morning rush is hectic and crazy as hell. In the other hand, Machiya is a great place to stay, lots of department store, even have those old tram train, nearby the firework place when its firework season( arakawa-river, take the train to senju and you need to walk a bit ). And you even have the chance to join the local events (or rather forced to join, by the caretaker) carrying those small wooden shrine all around the town, while shouting "Wasshoi Washhoi", that thing is heavy as hell.


For alternatives, I am thinking of guesthouses that cost below 60,000 yen(m increasing my budget range in reluctance.haa). LeoPalace sounds expensive with all the extra procedure fees and it comes without furnishings, am I right?

no idea, never been there. You shouldn't have a problem getting a dorm room if you aren't picky. ABK school dorm isn't that bad tho. Distance isn't a problem too since you will living inside the school. Theres a huge supermarket infront of the school (Green court) + a Japanese doctor that can speak English.


I am applying on my own, and,yes I need to call them instead,esp when application dates start beginning of Sep till Oct. By the way, do they take in application on first-come-first-serve basis,closes early when they meet quota?

There's no quota that I know of. So you don't really need to worry about that. That place is huge. They have tons of class rooms. When I was there, theres still plenty of rooms that haven't been used at all.


Btw, how do you find the studies at ABK? Would you recommend?
My other choices are Tokyo Foreign Language College and Japanese School Affiliated with Tokyo International University.Have you heard anything about these schools?

First, no idea about Tokyo Foreign Language College nor the Japanese School Affiliated with Tokyo International University. Since most of the other school need a you to have a guarantor that are already residing in Japan, which I don't so ABK is the only choice for me.

And for the other question, in short yes. But It really depends on your future goals.
(1st) Are you here just to learn Japanese and go back/work in Japan/live with your spouse etc (not continuing to a Student visa)
(2nd)or are you here to learn and continue to a Japanese University/College. (continuing with a student visa)

If its 1st then any school is fine quite honestly. To be in Japan alone(not as a tourist) will give a huge boost up to your Japanese skills. So there's no need to worry about it, unless you're not willing to take the extra mile to learn the language. Then we have a problem there. No offense.
not taking the extra mile = only talks in your mother tongue language or in English with your other classmate all the time, avoiding to speak/interact to Japanese People or even avoiding speaking IN Japanese to your other foreign friends + other things. Trust me, there are people who are like that. In fact, there was plenty of them here, most of them went back home when they graduated the Language School.

If its 2nd, then I strongly recommend you here. I think I already wrote a few things about ABK on my past post(probably under my other username).
Why? They have this University Preparatory Course which have classes that will help you with the EJU exams, the teachers will even help you with your University Entrance Exams, completing your documents/forms etc.
The teacher is really dedicated here. She help me by recommending tons of University and College, and even called the University's herself on my behalf, not only once, dozens of times seriously, even if I'm just worried about some mundane stuff, she still calls the Uni just to make sure;; (since my Japanese is not that good at that time.) , and preparing me for the tests among other things.

So yea, it depends on what your goal are.

[poh]

My main purpose is to study the language,not planning for further studies at the moment....
Thanks for the insight.I will give some serious thoughts about my choice.:)