There are many reasons why you might want to study for a degree in Japan. Maybe you’re interested in the country’s rich culture and history, or maybe you want to learn more about its cutting-edge technology. Whatever your reasons, if you’re thinking of studying for a degree in Japan, here are some things to keep in mind.
Check if your school offers any exchange programs with Japanese universities
Participating in a student exchange program is an incredible opportunity for a rewarding cultural and academic experience. If you’re interested in studying in Japan, now’s your chance! Check if your school offers any exchange programs with Japanese universities and consider applying. Cultural immersion can open up new experiences and open your eyes to different ways of thinking while expanding education beyond the walls of the traditional learning environment.
Taking classes at a Japanese university provides students with unique learning opportunities that cannot be found in books or lectures in the classroom, such as making connections with locals, understanding language nuances, visiting historical sites, and other life-changing experiences.
Each of these elements can greatly contribute to how you see the world and how it shapes who you are. Don’t hesitate; to take advantage of this rare opportunity to challenge yourself academically and grow as a person by checking if your school has an exchange program with Japanese universities!
Research the different types of visas available and the requirements for each
If you’re thinking of travelling to Japan in the near future, you’ll need to decide on the right visa. There are many different types of visas available, each with its own set of requirements.
- Japanese Tourist Visa – available for those who want to visit Japan for tourism purposes. No work is allowed on this visa.
- Japanese Business Visa – available for those who want to visit Japan for business purposes. This visa allows the holder to engage in business activities such as attending meetings and conferences, negotiating contracts, and conducting research.
- Japanese Student Visa – available for those who want to study at a Japanese institution of higher education.
- Working Holiday Visa – available for citizens of certain countries between the ages of 18-30 who want to live and work in Japan for up to one year.
- Spouse or Child of a Japanese National Visa – available for spouses or children (under 20 years old) of a Japanese national living in Japan. This visa allows the holder to live and work in Japan indefinitely.
- Permanent Resident Visa – available for those who have lived in Japan continuously for 10 years or more, have certain qualifications and meet other conditions set by the Immigration Bureau of Japan
Learn some basic conversational phrases in Japanese
If you’re looking to expand your language skills and get some practice conversations going with a new language, Japanese is an excellent option. While it can seem intimidating at first, there are many basic conversational phrases that you can learn to start engaging with native speakers.
It’s helpful to learn how to say phrases like “hello” and “thank you” in Japanese as part of your basic repertoire. After that, it’s also useful to know phrases like “I don’t understand” (Wakarimasen) and “What do you mean?” (Nan desu ka). Although it may take time and effort, learning these basic conversational phrases in Japanese will eventually help you confidently communicate with native speakers.
What’s more, learn the basics of how to read in Japanese. If you are a student and you want to apply to a Japanese university, it’ll be useful for writing an essay. Some essay titles may be like ‘Is it hard for a foreigner to learn Japanese?’. If so, you’ll pass the exams with flying colours!
Consider living with a host family to fully immerse yourself in the culture
Living with a host family is an exciting way to experience a new culture and language. It’s an intense, yet rewarding opportunity for those who are willing to open up their minds and hearts to the culture, language, and people of the place they’re visiting.
Staying with a host family allows travellers to not only immerse themselves in the country but also form bonds with the local people. It provides many opportunities for both parties to learn about each other and make lasting memories. Above all, living with a host family is an incredibly rewarding way to fully experience life in another corner of the world.
Be prepared to study hard – classes in Japan are known to be very challenging!
Studying in Japan is not a joke! Classes there are known to have higher expectations and rigour than even some university courses. So if you plan on attending school in Japan, it’s important to prepare yourself mentally, hold yourself accountable for your studies, and manage your free time enough to make sure you don’t fall behind. This may take a concerted effort of dedication to reach an academic level that meets Japanese educational standards.
However, the rewards can be great: not only will you gain a deeper understanding of certain subjects and build relationships with Japanese peers and faculty, but you will challenge yourself both academically and personally to become a more successful student. And though it’ll require hard work and determination, studying in Japan can be an experience like no other.
Conclusion
Following these tips should help you get started on your journey to studying in Japan. Checking if your school offers any exchange programs is a great first step, as much of the paperwork and processes will be handled by your home institution. Researching visas is also important so that you know what kind of documentation you need to prepare.
Learning some conversational phrases in Japanese will come in handy both during the application process as well as when you’re finally living in Japan. And finally, considering living with a host family is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the culture and gain a true understanding of what it’s like to live there. Be prepared for classes to be very challenging – but don’t let that stop you from enjoying all that Japan has to offer!
