Jae H Kim Tae Kwon Do Inst

I'm writing this review to tell other people interested in starting taekwondo or karate that this is definately the place to go!!! I started at this school a little over a year ago. I had never done martial arts before and I wanted to try it when I started college. I always loved the karate kid and kung fu movies but I just never thought I had it in me. My Papi was a black belt in karate and judo and he was always trying to convince me to do it but honestly I'm such a girly girl!!!! So I thought it would be good to learn self defense while I was away at college to protect myself. I looked into a few karate schools online and they just seemed like meh. But this academy looked very professional from the website that I went to watch a class. I was a little scared about signing up because I didn't know if I would be any good and I didn't want to sign up for like years and decide I didn't like it and then I would have blown away all my savings, you know??? I watched a class on a Friday afternoon after my college classes got out and there were several classes going on at the institute. I was very surprised at how many people where there. I was especially surprised at how many WOMEN were there!!!! I didn't realize so many women were into martial arts. (And they looked so normal. Hee hee) So after watching a class I felt alot more comfortable with the idea of signing up, but I told Mr. Smith at the front desk that I didn't want to sign up for a 2 year program still. He was so nice and understanding about it. I ended up signing up for just a 6 month program instead. I had a coupon for a free uniform so they gave me that (I thought it was HUGE when I tried it on but everybody said it was supposed to be a little big). I had 2 private lessons with a really cool instructor. He told me I was so good I could join the regular white belt classes after only 2 lessons and didn't need a 3rd private lesson. I was totally stoked!!! After a few weeks of being there I got an e-mail from one of the black belt students welcoming me to the institute. She said she would love to help me if I had any questions about what I was learning. I thought that was so nice. The black belt girls there are so helpful. They are always offering to help color belts with forms and one steps. Especially around the testing times. I get so nervous before testing!!!! But so far I've passed each test with flying colors. Hee hee. Anyway, I am still at the school and am now a blue stripe belt (green belt with a blue stripe). I really hope to get my black belt next year. I'm going to work VERY hard at it. I have really come to love taekwondo. I feel so empowered that I decided to do it and my Papi can't wait to brag when I get my black belt. And to all you girls....you'll be happy to know there are alot of women there and they are all so nice (not like totally butch and scary!!! Hee hee) and Mr. Kim is like THE nicest person I have ever met in my life. He's totally like one of those martial arts grandmasters you see in movies. You will love it if you try this school. At least go and watch a class first. You'll totally want to sign up after that!!!! more

I've been at this school for almost 10 years now. I love it. The instructors are great and the students are great. I've been a member of other Taekwondo schools before, but they don't even compare - not even close. Yes, those other places were less expensive, but they were also terrible! And I hate going to the gym, but this totally beats doing that! The instruction is exceptional and you get what you put in. If you've ever wanted to try/continue Taekwondo, this is the place to go. Pros: Clean (very large) facilities, many branch schools Cons: Dare I say Redsox? more