International Universites in Japan

[josh_mac]

Hi,
I'm pretty young(14) and have been learning the wonderful Japanese language for about 9 months now. I'm weighing up the options for my future now and obviously unless something very drastic happens I will end up in Japan. I was wondering if there were any good international Universities in Japan? Any feedback is really appreciated. Thanks

Oh and how many people are going to London to take the JLPT this year? I might see some of ya there!

[Nibble]

What do you mean by 'international'? A university that accepts foreign students, one that offers its courses in English, or one that teaches Japanese to foreigners? If the first one, pretty much all of them do; however, you need to know enough Japanese to be able to pass a test comparable to JLPT level 1 in order to be accepted.

With 3-5 years ahead of you, I don't think that's unrealistic... if you study hard.

[Shibakoen]

If you want American Schools, Temple University has a campus in Tokyo. I've heard mixed things about it. You can definitely try getting into a Japanese Uni. Definitely check out places like Keio and Waseda, etc. Tokyo's got like 100 Universities.

[Sumi]

I've wanted to go to a Japanese university rather than a American one.

[keatonatron]

If you don't speak really good Japanese, your options are pretty much limited to the American schools that offer courses in English. As far as I know, none of the Japanese universities offer that. Also, going as an exchange is by far the easiest and most secure, but you can only go for one year (probably). If you go by yourself, it is very expensive! You can't really work much, so you'd probably have to have at least $30,000 (Y3,000,000) saved up PER YEAR OF STUDY IN JAPAN.

If you want to go for 4 years, that comes to $120,000 USD.

EDIT: Also, if you want to go to a Japanese university you have to take the national foreign student exam. Your score on the test determines which school you can go to. The test covers multiple subjects, including advanced math with no calculator!

I don't want to discourage anyone, I'm just trying to help you be as informed as possible.

[josh_mac]

your not discouraging me at all it's good someone lays the facts down straight! thanks for your feedback everyone.

[battousai]

keatonatron wrote:

If you want to go for 4 years, that comes to $120,000 USD.

Not much different than 4 years at a normal American university if you dorm.

[Ezrach]

Tuition is expensive, but if you attend a uni in a major city, finding work is easy. You can legally work around 28 hours per week on a student visa, after you've secured permission to do so (which is a round trip to immigration followed by a stamp, no questions asked). I charged 2,500 / hour for a private lesson, with slight discounts for group lessons. All I did was meet at a cafe of their convenience. They paid for my ride and time. (I was in Tokyo at the time, studying at 上智大学)

As a foreigner on low income, you'll be eligible for tuition at half price at any national university (Fukushima university, for example, is 600K Yen per semester, 300K after the halved tuition). You can also apply for scholarships. The university will have an office specifically dedicated to scholarships and jobs available for students, if you want to check that out as well.

It's a great experience, but the whole college atmosphere is a bit crappy. People wake up 2 hours before leaving for school and get all made up (usually females, but even some guys do it) - a big change from just waking up, throwing on some jeans, and heading to class. Japanese students are too high-maintenance.

[josh_mac]

"People wake up 2 hours before leaving for school and get all made up (usually females, but even some guys do it) - a big change from just waking up, throwing on some jeans, and heading to class. Japanese students are too high-maintenance."
yeah I thought they might be:D which is soooo not me!
Is anyone from the UK here? Cardiffs course looks pretty good.
http://www.shef.ac.uk/prospectus/2006/coursedetail.php?courseid=87#otherqual

[Ezrach]

It's not a major drawback (the high-maintenance deal), it's just noticeable. You won't be outcast if you insist on wearing jeans and a t-shirt everyday. I just wanted to point it out so you'd have a general idea.

Classes are really laid back compared to Western unis. You have a lot more free time as a student in Japan.

[two_heads_talking]

battousai wrote:

keatonatron wrote:

If you want to go for 4 years, that comes to $120,000 USD.

Not much different than 4 years at a normal American university if you dorm.

yeah if you are attending harvard or some other IVY league school..

[spin13]

...on scholarship.

I didn't attend an Ivy League school. Expected tuition for next year is $44,185 and you are required to own a laptop. Add $2500 for the school laptop and software.

Then start laying gold eggs...

[keatonatron]

battousai wrote:

keatonatron wrote:

If you want to go for 4 years, that comes to $120,000 USD.

Not much different than 4 years at a normal American university if you dorm.

I just finished 4 years at an American university, and my student loans total $31,000. I lived in on campus or in an apartment the whole time, and got financial aid from the government.

No (guaranteed) financial aid if you go to Japan

[Sumi]

keatonatron wrote:
If you don't speak really good Japanese, your options are pretty much limited to the American schools that offer courses in English. As far as I know, none of the Japanese universities offer that. Also, going as an exchange is by far the easiest and most secure, but you can only go for one year (probably). If you go by yourself, it is very expensive! You can't really work much, so you'd probably have to have at least $30,000 (Y3,000,000) saved up PER YEAR OF STUDY IN JAPAN.

If you want to go for 4 years, that comes to $120,000 USD.

EDIT: Also, if you want to go to a Japanese university you have to take the national foreign student exam. Your score on the test determines which school you can go to. The test covers multiple subjects, including advanced math with no calculator!

I don't want to discourage anyone, I'm just trying to help you be as informed as possible.

Thank you for the information. When it comes to advanced math, how advanced are we talking? I'm not a math whiz and the sound of advanced and math put together makes me somewhat sick.

[keatonatron]

Sumi wrote:
When it comes to advanced math, how advanced are we talking?

Something like this. :p

Info on the whole test can be found here.