About going to school in Japan?
Ok, so I'm needing a good old fashioned school counselor pretty much. I want to go to Japan, study at a language school for two years and potentially move on to a university in Japan. I just don't know how to go about it. I've researched a number of schools and the tuition seems to average between 10K and 12K for a years tuition. That seems just fine. But all the schools I've been looking at are in Tokyo too, where I imagine things are more expensive. So here's what I want to know. First, have any of you done this? If so, what was the process like. Second, what scholarships/student loans/grants are available for this type of thing? Third, how does a Gaijin keep from getting suckered in this situation? Fourth, and last, what is the process like moving from a language school to a university? Thank you for your time. Adam
Japan - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
don't like Japan.
2 :
>Second, what scholarships/student loans/grants are available for this type of thing? Unfortunately, we do not have many scholarships in Japan. But we have the below government scholarship. http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e.html >Fourth, and last, what is the process like moving from a language school to a university? If you have acquired enough Japanese skill and have a high school diploma in your country, you can take entrance exam of college in February (Our schools start in April). If you passed, you can go to the college from the next April.
3 :
I can't answer all your questions, but in Nagoya, there's a great department of Nanzan University that provided Japanese language studies (with extras, like Japanese history in English, etc.). It was a "bekka" program (I attended many, many years ago, so that's why I use past tense, but I believe it's still going strong). I went as an exchange students, but I knew other students who applied on their own. The program had a homestay program, so I stayed with a family in Aichi, and my expenses weren't that terrible. I believe they also have pretty good contacts so you can continue on to a Japanese university. What I would do is contact your local university, and find out what exchange programs they have. Talk to students (or even better, alumni) who have gone on the programs, and pump them for information. That way, you won't get burned. Good luck!
4 :
My university established a relationship with two universities in Tokyo. They offered a one year exchange program for 3rd year Japanese majors. You had to have completed the first two years of grammar and kanji studies. The universities required all sorts of money up front and a bank statement showing an avaerage balance of $5k. This could be your parent's account. The connection between the universities was the best gurantee to avoid any scams from a private institution. As far as payment options, the mombusho (Japanese ministry of education) put up scholarships that students competed for. There were no high school programs that I came into contact with. If I may suggest, I think you should start looking for a study abroad program when you are in a university or junior college. In the mean time, look for homestay and cultural exchange programs that are sponsored or endorsed by local schools and/or community organizations.
5 :
It can be expensive, so the best way to defray cost is to apply for scholarships. Please look at Association of Japanese Teachers: http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj/ Also, look to see if scholarships are available at your school. Can't hurt to ask around! Also, a great program at a very prestigious university in Japan offers a program with Portland State University which will allow you to transfer credit back to your own university. The university is called Waseda University. Please see: www.wasedaoregon.org It is a great program and will look great on your resume to have attended this school. Have fun!
6 :
YMCA: good points: internationally recognizible name/trust factor counselors really help their kids with everything, but their speciality is finding employment or higher education opportunities.. Right up your alley You may be able to find under 10K. Also if you have any semblance of a personality, you can teach English there (at the school to Japanese in the FL department) and get a crazy discount. Ask them about that. Also if your are fluent in French or Spanish/Portuguese/German, etc.--you could teach that too. And do private gigs on the side, you can take home 10K without even breaking a sweat, and still make enough for food/living expenses. bad points: Very few American or English speaking or even European students, so you may find yourself a bit of an outsider (mostly Chinese, so imagine yourself and 15 chinese kids in one classroom) and the teachers teaching methods are naturally more geared towards Asian students, but that's probably most schools. --Also the program itself maybe kind of small, or not as culturally uplifting as you hope. it is a business school, so you may have to take IT classes or something that doesn't interest you as much. My friend who went there had zero complaints about the teaching, the university counseling, etc, but he was a little put off by rudeness and clique-ishness of the Chinese. (who dominated the school) Using honorific is a huge part of Japanese society and the Chinese kids refused to use it, etc. That kind of mentality. But they weren't unfriendly or anything. They just seem to be apathetic, and Japanese teachers are pretty apathetic about upholding the rules. An american with a can-do attitude, who proactively studies, and can do a job interview or college interview with personality as well as flawless Japanese will do well. Like my friend who is my age (29) making twice my salary in a big corporation in Tokyo now. Wish I'd gone.
|
