Comments on: Why You Should Come to Japan for College

By: loremasterfyra

loremasterfyra — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 12:17:00 +0000

Hiii! I really love your post :) I am applying to some universities in Japan at them moment for a four year undergrad degree. I was a little upset when you said that you people treat uni as spring break because I do want to learn, however Im sure that the universities prepare you for the job market and do teach you a lot (as my friends have told me).

Anyway, your post really eased my mind as I was wondering whether I should continue studying as an international student in the States or go to Japan. I can’t wait until September comes, I love Japan!! :D

By: casualgal

casualgal — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:53:00 +0000

Yeah, but in the UK you get a student loan for the fees and living costs. You don’t have that guarantee in Japan.

By: Hanna

Hanna — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 17:55:00 +0000

Hey, good post. I’ll be moving to Tokyo next year to complete an extra school year before entering university there. I’m planning to enroll in the Japanese four year course.

I read your reply to a comment mentioning that you’re enrolled at Todai. My question is, what is the acceptance rate for international students at Todai? And, what does it take for an international student to get accepted?

Would love to hear back from you.

Thank you.

By: Selena Miranda

Selena Miranda — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 08:32:00 +0000

I have this thought in my head that maybe, by being in a more rural area, I will be more forced to use Japanese. But the head of my Japanese department has nominated me for Chuo and after seeing the course they offer, I am happy. Chuo is a definite contrast to my school. My school is small, public and about 2 hrs away from the nearest city. But Chuo, as you noted, is not far from the city, it’s private and they offer more courses than my school offers haha :)

I am really excited!! But the financial part is a bit worrisome :o Considering I didn’t do so hot my first semester in college ;c

By: Hironohaha

Hironohaha — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:29:00 +0000

doing my doctoral in Tokyo now,
hohohohoohohoho

By: Natachan

Natachan — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 02:04:00 +0000

Hi
Based on my experience, your acceptance depends on a few factors. What type of person you are, what people you are surrounded by, and what you are doing. As for assistance, there are two extremes of help at universities for foreigners (and get used to being called that): really helpful and on the ball (the minority) and really useless (the majority).

Workers and academics tend to look down on the English teachers here because they are paid textbooks but actually as the majority of the expat population in Japan they are a very good gauge of a city or prefecture’s foreigner friendliness. Jets especially, being newbies to Japan, are usually wide-eyed and bushy-tailed so can be less jaded and more honest with their concerns. It is very very very easy to fall into the “I hate Japan” club if you have been burned a few times.

So I would do A LOT of research before making that leap, read up on your desired university, it’s expat support, even look at where you might live and what services are nearby and what is in English. Look up banks and their services (for example daily banking with jp post is in English but intl transfers to send money home is not).

If you’re going to be there six months, not such a biggie. If you’re committing yourself to a four or five year stint, be prepared (as if you were moving anywhere!!)

Remember, Japan is still just a country. It’s not fairy land, it’s not the technological future (yes tech is cheaper but it’s not novel), there are nice people and there are a$$hats, and the more things change, the more they stay the same (as is true everywhere). If you’re in it for temples and castles, come for a vacation.