University in or around Tokyo

[Drkns]

Hey all,

I currently have one more academic year (starting in September 2004) of 6th form college in the UK, and then it's off to University or another path. I am seriously considering University in Japan (in or around Tokyo if possible), but I currently speak no Japanese and am unsure of being able to get accommodation, the necessary funding (for living expenses, tuition, and entrance), and even entrance into a reputable Japanese University.

Given the opportunity, I suppose a gap year in Japan would provide me with the best insight into the culture and atmosphere. However, my year group are the last year who can escape the somewhat significant tuition fees increase in the Universities in England - and that is only if we don't take gap years.

Thus, I seek guidance from you. If I plan to make a life in Japan after university there, which university would be the most appropriate? And which universities teach in English? (Presumably only some lessons as opposed to all of them.)


I have searched these forums and found links and information regarding scholarships (e.g. Monbukagakusho) and guides for foreign students in Japan, but just how difficult is it to enter a reputable Japanese university, which would lead one to a good career in the future?

As for the various Visas, my understanding is that with a Student Visa, one cannot work, even part-time. I understand that one could not entirely pay off the university fees through a part-time job, but earning some money would still be useful. Is there a Visa which would allow me to study at University and work part-time?

Finally, have you yourself or somebody you know come from the UK or another country and entered Japanese University (preferably from the start, rather than completing a Masters degree etc.)? If so, how did everything go? What were the greatest difficulties? And what were you able to do as a foreigner once completing your University course?


My apologies for the long post, but I have so many questions to ask and just don't know where to start.

Thankyou in advance,
Drkns.

[Drkns]

*bump* Anybody? Please?

I have searched the forums and read up on all that I could find, but I seek direct advice and personal experiences. I really need to know, as there would be no going back if I decided to go to Japan for University. Please?

Many thanks,
Drkns.

[budd]

does the university (in england) have a japanese studies/international studies department?

[Buddha Smoker]

Have you checked out Sophia University in Tokyo? It's been a long time since I been to the campus there even though it's only about an hour or so away from me. They might have a program of studies for you. If you type in just about any search engine then you should get it no prob. I think the website was something like www.sophia.co.jp or similar. LOL..it's not that link...let me see if I can find it.


Here it is....I was close

www.sophia.ac.jp

[Drkns]

@budd: I am not currently attending a University.
@Buddha Smoker: Thanks for the link, but the website is in Japanese LOL. FYI: I can't understand Japanese . I think I found an English version here: http://www.sophia.ac.jp/e/e_toppage.nsf

Could you please confirm that this is the same University? Also, is this University well respected in Japan (i.e. considered the best / one of the best) or is it not so well respected?

Thanks for your help,
Drkns.

[Buddha Smoker]

Originally Posted by Drkns

@budd: I am not currently attending a University.
@Buddha Smoker: Thanks for the link, but the website is in Japanese LOL. FYI: I can't understand Japanese . I think I found an English version here: http://www.sophia.ac.jp/e/e_toppage.nsf

Could you please confirm that this is the same University? Also, is this University well respected in Japan (i.e. considered the best / one of the best) or is it not so well respected?

Thanks for your help,
Drkns.

I'm sorry...I meant to put the English one and yes it is the same university. It is also a very famous university is Japan and high quality...I know in the States that they accept most of their credits and vice verse....I recommend it.

[Drkns]

Okidoke. I'll take a closer look and hopefully it'll meet all my hopes/requirements, and I'll be one step closer to attending University in Japan. Thanks again for the link .

[Buddha Smoker]

Originally Posted by Drkns

Okidoke. I'll take a closer look and hopefully it'll meet all my hopes/requirements, and I'll be one step closer to attending University in Japan. Thanks again for the link .

I hope it works out too..No prob.

[japandan]

i have friends who started from undergrad here - i will ask them; give me a few days....

BUT: as far as i know, to even *enter* a japanese uni course, you have to pass the highest level japanese exams, which usually involves 6mths - 1 year of study, depending on you language aptitude - for me, i would never make it

you do this 1/2 or full year first, the start uni, so it adds an extra year to the course... but means you can speak the language really well

hv fun.

[Buddha Smoker]

Originally Posted by japandan

i have friends who started from undergrad here - i will ask them; give me a few days....

BUT: as far as i know, to even *enter* a japanese uni course, you have to pass the highest level japanese exams, which usually involves 6mths - 1 year of study, depending on you language aptitude - for me, i would never make it

you do this 1/2 or full year first, the start uni, so it adds an extra year to the course... but means you can speak the language really well

hv fun.

This is true too but there are international universities in Japan as well. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in your studies.

[BlogD]

I don't know if it would suit your needs exactly (I have no idea what "6th form college" is), but there is also Lakeland College (03-5285-5573), an accredited American college which teaches the first two years of a Bachelor's degree. The school is relatively inexpensive, is centrally located (Shinjuku), and all classes are taught in English. We have had students transfer to UK schools before, with class credits accepted. The students are primarily Japanese, but five American students will kick off the non-Japanese contingent this Fall (starting from September).

[Buddha Smoker]

Originally Posted by BlogD

I don't know if it would suit your needs exactly (I have no idea what "6th form college" is), but there is also Lakeland College (03-5285-5573), an accredited American college which teaches the first two years of a Bachelor's degree. The school is relatively inexpensive, is centrally located (Shinjuku), and all classes are taught in English. We have had students transfer to UK schools before, with class credits accepted. The students are primarily Japanese, but five American students will kick off the non-Japanese contingent this Fall (starting from September).

I've heard of Lakeland College too....haven't heard anything bad yet. I would recommend it too.

[jOshe]

hmmm... what about tokyo university?

my friend told mi that if we have no knowlege on japanese, we need to spend 1 more year on the language itself before going into out course... izzit?

[Ewok85]

$$$

Without going through your university and getting a scholarship it will cost big big bucks. Japanese of a high level may also be required

[Eden]

Hey im going to sophia this sept! Since you're not attending university yet, you could try visiting the embassy of japan in your place and ask about the scholarships that they have for you.. i think you'll have to pass tests though (and most of their tests require you to be really smart in math)

i got into sophia thru the exchange student program in my school.. maybe you should attend university first in your country and then try out for the exchange program once ur in..

[Ewok85]

Hey Eden, you can say hello to a friend for me!

A scholarship/exchange program is the best way to attend or else it will add up to a big big bill.

[Eden]

Yes thats true ewok85..bout the bill i mean.
OMG, yeesss, okay id loveee to say HI to a friend for you! is he cute?? haha its ok, even if hes not cute ill still say hi. haha!

[Mike Cash]

Here's a thought.....

Since you speak no Japanese now, the chances that you would derive any benefit whatsoever from being in a typical Japanese college are close to zero.

If you're going to have to hunt up a college that can offer some/most of the instruction in English, then the only real benefit to going to a Japanese college would be that your non-college hours of the day would be spent in Japan, and the bulk of whatever positive value you would get from the stay would be in those hours, when you can conveniently get out and about to experience the place and people a bit.

Have you considered the alternative of looking into doing a working holiday in Japan for six months or a year instead? I'm not positive, but I believe Ukland has a reciprocal arrangement with Japan allowing for this. You would be just as conveniently located for experiencing the country, and you might even save up a little bit of money to help you through University, and perhaps lessen the pain of those tuition increases.

If you really do think you might want to make your life in Japan, then my recommendation would be to forego wasting an educational year farting about playing skool at a Japanese university and to dive right into your University studies in your home country, the quicker and better to make yourself eligible and prepared for living here. In the meantime, use the net to try to get info and to make contacts with foreigners already living in Japan and working in the professional field you are interested in.

[Ewok85]

Mike, im afraid your wrong on this one. Its becoming popular in Japanese uni's to teach japanese to foreigners.
http://www.sophia.ac.jp/E/E_exchange...ontent/exchpro
http://www.waseda.jp/cie/index-j.html

To get into uni and do a normal course you must have an appropriate level of Japanese and pass an enterance exam like every one else. (I think the Japan federation do it but I cant find it atm...)

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by Ewok85

Mike, im afraid your wrong on this one. Its becoming popular in Japanese uni's to teach japanese to foreigners.
http://www.sophia.ac.jp/E/E_exchange...ontent/exchpro
http://www.waseda.jp/cie/index-j.html

To get into uni and do a normal course you must have an appropriate level of Japanese and pass an enterance exam like every one else. (I think the Japan federation do it but I cant find it atm...)

I'm sitting here trying to figure out what it is I was "wrong" about, since I never addressed the issue of Japanese universities teaching Japanese to foreigners.

My main point was really that if he thinks he may want to come to Japan to settle (and I have never understood people who think that way despite never having been here and knowing practically nothing about the place), then a better use of his time in preparation for that would be to dive right into his studies right where he is.

[Ewok85]

Since you speak no Japanese now, the chances that you would derive any benefit whatsoever from being in a typical Japanese college are close to zero.

That bit. Dont mind me too much, i posted in the wee hours of the morning :'(

[Mike Cash]

I meant "typical" to mean your average run-of-the-mill college which focuses on providing an average run-of-the-mill college education in the Japanese language to the average run-of-the-mill Japanese college student, which you have no doubt figured out by now.

For what very, very little it is worth....

In 1988-1989 I was a Monbusho exchange "scholar" at Hirosaki National University. They had as much business hosting foreign students as I have performing brain surgery for fun-n-profit. I could post an extremely long rant about those days, but I don't feel like it at the moment.

[Drkns]

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who posted useful advice and comments.

Secondly, I have decided to study Japanese at University in the UK, if I am able to gain entrance to a good University, and from there I will either move into a career involving translations and such, or continue my studies through the subject of Law (at this moment in time I am hoping to avoid the latter).

Originally Posted by mikecash

My main point was really that if he thinks he may want to come to Japan to settle (and I have never understood people who think that way despite never having been here and knowing practically nothing about the place)

Finally, in response to the quotation above, I would like to point out to you mikecash, that I have visited Japan. Several times. Every day I strive to learn more about the country, it's people, and it's culture and I think it's slightly narrow-minded of you to assume that every member of this forum who posts a thread regarding living is Japan has never even visited the country.

Once again, thankyou for your help everyone,
Drkns|Yami.

[sbv0001]

Originally Posted by Drkns

Finally, in response to the quotation above, I would like to point out to you mikecash, that I have visited Japan. Several times.

You didn´t mention it anywhere. After I read through your post I had the following opinion:
"This guy does know nothing about this foreign country. How can he think of going and live there like going on a holiday trip to Paris?"

My interpretation of your post clearly was based on the lack of information you gave......
Am I narrow-minded also?????

[Mike Cash]

The parenthetical comment was meant as a generality. As sbv pointed out, you certainly gave no information to the contrary. And your comment about speaking no Japanese whatsoever would tend to make one think you have never been here, rather than having visited several times. Especially given the tendency of many people who know three words of Japanese to claim they speak "some" Japanese or are an "advanced beginner" or some such.

And if the comment didn't apply to you (and it wasn't meant to apply to you specifically to begin with) it does apply to no small number of people I have encountered on the net.