Okay to travel to Japan?

[Saisho_onnanoko]

I've been all over going to japan lately. I'm a teenager, and so I've wanted to travel there for quite some time, not only for the anime and manga or Harajuku, but also for their culture, to see how they live life. For about two years, I've studied japanese on my own. People have tried to help me study it, but no one else has taken a concrete interest in learning Japanese like I have, so it is difficult. I speak enough Japanese to get me by for the first time, and even hold a small conversation, but the sad thing is since I've been studying on my own, not only have I learned the hard way, I haven't learned two years worth of japanese in my opinon. For about a year, I've been trying to find programs for teens to help me get to japan to see what it's like, because I actually plan to move there when I'm done with college (I want to be a video game designer) if I like it. I'm 16, going on 17, so I don't have much longer left to see it this way. I've found some homestay programs (Genkijacs.com/Intrax study abroad), but one just seems too expensive, and the other is too vauge and hard for me to figure out exactly what I need to do to get there right. I want to go to school there maybe (as an exchange student), and get a glimpse at actual Japanese life. I was wondering if someone had some suggestions on who I should homestay/school through (the programs).

Also, I've heard a lot online about Discrimination in japan. Some say that they don't like gaijin over there and you aren't let into certian places, some say they discriminate against African Americans a lot, and I am african american. Some say they just don't like gaijin period. Should I go even though I might face problems like that if they actually exist? I know discrimination is everywhere, but a lot of people told me japan was great, it was a much happier place to be than America, and I kinda lost all my confidence in going because of the things I've heard. I may not speak a LOT of japanese, but I speak what I can very well, and people have also told me that if you can't speak fluent, GREAT japanese, they won't like it.

Please answer my questions. :( I'm new and I need some help. Thank you for reading my post.

[Goldiegirl]

I know nothing of foreign exchange programs, but I do know that it's very ok to travel to Japan. Everyone who visits Japan is a foreigner so that's not so bad. You'll look different but you aren't the first African-American to go to Japan. Heck, I look different too! :) I don't speak Japanese so that isn't an issue. I figure if I can get around Tokyo by myself, anyone can. It's so safe and the people are really kind.

[nice gaijin]

One of the important things to remember is that everyone experiences Japan differently, and to not expect your time there to be like anyone else's. Study abroad is definitely your best opportunity to get a taste of what life is like in a foreign country, but it's also important to realize that even one experience in Japan may be nothing like the next. I studied abroad for a year and it couldn't have gone better, all things considered. However, other people have had completely different (and sometimes borderline miserable) experiences. Even if I were to go back, I know there's no way I would be able to reproduce my time as an exchange student, or my time as a tourist before that (though some would say there's not much difference between the two).

As for your concerns, it goes back to the "everyone's experiences are different" bit. I'm no black woman, but race and gender do seem to play at least a minor role in one's reception. I've heard some people complain about discrimination, but I've never witnessed it myself firsthand. As for the language, foreigners are typically given a lot of credit for even a modest effort to learn Japanese, so it's odd that you've heard otherwise.

That said, the market for foreign game developers is pretty shallow, and from what I've read, it's not even a good occupation in the states. You have a lot of time to consider your career, so I'll just let that go.

For some practical advice, look into the rotary club for possible exchange possibilities. Otherwise, I would consider study abroad opportunities as a factor in selecting a college. Just remember that such opportunities are great, but shouldn't take precedence over the quality of your overall education.

[pipokun]

I've found some homestay programs

One thing I am quite sure is that I've never heard that Japanese families would accept young students for money.

[Glenski]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]For about a year, I've been trying to find programs for teens to help me get to japanGet your current school to help out. I have not heard of the programs you names (none of the exchange students at the private HS where I taught in Sapporo used them). Think of Rotary Club for one. There are many others.

I actually plan to move there when I'm done with college (I want to be a video game designer) if I like it.That's like bringing coals to Newcastle. A freshly minted bachelor's degree with zero experience in IT will make it very difficult to land any job here. You need to bring to the table whatever the Japanese don't have. Figure that one out. You need language skills, an education, plus experience in what's needed and what the Japanese don't/can't do. Perhaps an intracompany transfer from your own country might work, but you have to work there (your homeland) in that company first for a year.

Also, I've heard a lot online about Discrimination in japan. Some say that they don't like gaijin over there and you aren't let into certian places, some say they discriminate against African Americans a lot, and I am african american. Some say they just don't like gaijin period. Should I go even though I might face problems like that if they actually exist?First of all, yes, there is discrimination here. It can be apparent or hidden. You will have to learn to live with it if you choose to make this a long-term goal.

Second, I have worked with an African-American who felt zero discrimination, and he is happily married to a Japanese and has kids. He has been here almost 15 years.

Third, "should" you go? That is up to you. I would say being prepared for what faces you is the first thing you need to do.

[centrajapan]

If you want to work in a Japanese company be prepared for long working hours. Though I know an American who works in IT and he leaves when time is up where as his Japanese co workers don´t and he gets away with it.

There might be discrimination in Japan but don´t forget that you can use that to your advantage too. In an ideal world everyone would be treated equal but thats not the case.

[nice gaijin]

There might be discrimination in Japan but don´t forget that you can use that to your advantage too. In an ideal world everyone would be treated equal but thats not the case.
This is known as "playing the gaijin card." Ethical implications are fodder for other threads.

[Saisho_onnanoko]

Get your current school to help out. I have not heard of the programs you names (none of the exchange students at the private HS where I taught in Sapporo used them). Think of Rotary Club for one. There are many others.
That's like bringing coals to Newcastle. A freshly minted bachelor's degree with zero experience in IT will make it very difficult to land any job here. You need to bring to the table whatever the Japanese don't have. Figure that one out. You need language skills, an education, plus experience in what's needed and what the Japanese don't/can't do. Perhaps an intracompany transfer from your own country might work, but you have to work there (your homeland) in that company first for a year.

Yes, I did intend to study in America and maybe even work for a company here first and then go there, because I heard that a lot of game designers do that. They need english translators a lot in that industry too, and I actually considered doing that moreso than being an actual game designer. I would never just jump into another country with a new degree/no experience, I know that wouldn't make to much sense at all, and probably make my success rates over there extremely slim, so thank you very much for your help on that. I was also pretty sure that Genkijacs was probably one that wasn't known much about, it just seemed that way, so I was reluctant to actually even consider that one. Intrax was all over the web, and a lot of people used that one, so I'm actually a bit suprised about that one being one you didn't know about. Again, thank you.

Thank you all for your answers, a lot of things have been cleared up now :-)

[Glenski]

Saisho,
I'm nowhere near your age, and I taught in a Japanese high school where there were half a dozen foreign exchange students at any one time. They were not all from the USA, so they took advantage of quite a few programs scattered around the world (Peru, for one). That alone explains why I don't know lots of names of such agencies.

Like I wrote earlier, let your school deal with finding an appropriate agency. They are the ones who have to agree to the exchange in the first place, and they probably have experience in that sort of thing. With any luck, you'll have more than one place to choose from. Even if they are offered only one at a time, you can always come back here and ask about the specific ones your school comes up with.

Translators in any industry obviously need to have the proper language ability. If all you want to do is translate, you'll need at least a JLPT level 2 to get your foot in the door. A friend of mine had that and translated various documents. Having experience in a specific genre (IT, for example) will help if you only intend to work as a translator in that one field, but realize that translating as a whole is highly competitive in Japan, and many translators have more than just ability to speak/read/write in 2 languages. They have experience and specific training in translating.

I don't know much about the computer game business, but if their level of English translation is anything like what you would see in general advertising here, I would say that they really don't care much for accuracy. Look into this more.