Why study in Japan?
Japan is a country that is recognized around the world for a variety of reasons. In the past, the country was isolated, preserving its cultures and traditions. Japan has become a prime holiday and education hub for tourists and students. With its mix of ancient Japanese traditions and values, the country remains culturally rich and equally developed with a high standard of living. Japan is economically sound, with a shallow crime rate. It is also one of the leading countries in infrastructure, innovation, and development, ranking its education systems as one of the best.
Education
Japan offers the quality of education and life at its top universities at inexpensive tuition fees.
Scholarships
The Japanese government offers grants and many scholarships to international students.
Culture
Japan has preserved its unique culture, traditions, national treasures and has a long history of rise and fall.
Reasons to consider Japan as a study destination
Japan’s education system is unparalleled, ranking among the top with the likes of other developed countries. According to OECD, it is also ranked number one in the world for math and number two for scientific literacy. Japan boasts many Nobel prize winners in Asia, with many graduates. The country has over 700 universities, with over ten universities in the top 200 worldwide.
College tuitions vary from country to country. Getting a degree in countries like the USA may cost you a fortune, but education in Japan remains relatively inexpensive. Tuition fees annually might come to around USD 10,000, which is many times cheaper than in America. While the cost of education might be more affordable, there is no compromise regarding the quality of education.
If you are into Japanese animation, music, or dramas, you know how well-managed Japan is. Living has never been more effortless as Japan innovates new and efficient ways of living. The country has everything from heated toilet seats to fully automated mass transit systems. Japanese people are some of the kindest people you’ll meet. With fantastic food, healthcare systems, and infrastructure, Japan is the best place to study.
Japan has its education system sorted out well. On top of education being cheaper, the country also provides many scholarships to international students. The Japanese government offers grants and scholarships to international students through its Japan Student Services Organization and MEXT scholarships.
Government aside, universities also provide many merit-based scholarships with fee waivers depending on your grades. Many non-government organizations are also available to help fund your stay and study in Japan.
The country has preserved its culture and traditions and has a long history of rise and fall. While the government is now a peace-loving and hard-working country, many scars of its wartime era can still be preserved. Discover Japan’s rich history with its temples, shrines, museums, national treasures, and nature while you live and study in Japan.
Japan is naturally magnificent, with cherry blossoms and snow. It is not only about city life but also about rural villages that the country seems to have preserved beautifully.
The benefits of studying in Japan
With so many international students coming to the country for their higher studies, universities in Japan offer a wide variety of programs. This gives more study options for students trying to international studies.
Studying in Japan is beneficial academically and for cultural growth and connections. Many internationally known brands are from Japan, and the country can be a great stepping stone toward professional life.
Japan invites many tourists from all over the world to witness its culture and developments. An international student here can visit the fantastic places in Japan and enjoy its food and authentic culture. The food here is relatively cheap but delicious nonetheless.
Safety always comes before anything, and Japan is one of the safest places. People here are honest and hardworking. While some cases of pickpocketing can happen in populated city areas, the place remains safe and sound. The quality of life here is high, with good infrastructure and public facilities.
How to prepare for studying in Japan
Get all your documents sorted out well. It would be best if you also learned about the Japanese culture and norms before heading there. While people won't directly correct your habits there, they most likely will find it uncomfortable.
Try to find an excellent place to live and study in. Accommodation is vital if you want to live and learn as an international student.
Do excellent in-depth research on the universities and programs you want to pursue. Budget your expenditure well with the proper understanding of fees. You should also take the help of a counselor for your planning.
Qualifications And requirements documents
Students must pass the N5 level of the Japanese language test. N5 is the rank given to the students who can understand the basic level of the Japanese language. N1 is the highest rank for a student who thoroughly understands the language, even in diverse situations. Students should be willing to learn the language if they want to study in Japan. Other required documents are:
Academic Certification and Transcripts of your previous grade
Japanese Language Certificate with a learning period of at least six months (minimum N5)
Original Passport
Medical reports stating good health condition
Basic level documents such as birth certificate
Passport size photographs
Recommendation letters from a present academic institution
Character certificate with no criminal background
Finance statements
Scholarship certificate (if any)
Additional documents regarding the sponsor's relationship verification, finance, etc, are also required if you are going through a sponsor.
Working while studying
International students can work part-time jobs to help themselves financially. The working hour varies from place to place, up to 28 hours a week. Many colleges and universities also provide internships to students. Finding part-time jobs in Japan is relatively easy as there is plenty of job opportunities in Japan. Students can work at convenience stores, showrooms, restaurants, amusement parks, etc.
The minimum pay rate in Japan can be around 60,000 JP Yen monthly (not in the central city) but can differ from place to place. A student's average expenditure in Japan can be approximately 100,000 yen. The expenditure vastly depends on where you reside, with some areas having a rent of 100,000 yen.
It is without a doubt that relying solely on a part-time job cannot cover your expenses. This is why proper budgeting should be done.
The challenges of studying in Japan
Japan's primary language is not English. This creates a language barrier between local people and international students. Japanese people also tend to be shy around foreigners making you the one to approach them. Language barriers make communication difficult, so learning Japanese is recommended. You'll learn to understand and pick up Japanese with time.
Making local Japanese friends is a great way to learn and improve your Japanese fluency. Reading Japanese is also essential if you want to start living here as shops, signs, and posters all are in Japanese writing.
Japanese people have different food etiquette. Food culture may take some time to be used to with other norms you must keep in mind. Picky eaters and vegetarians will also have a bit of a difficult time. Homestay might get complicated if you're a vegetarian, as your dietary habits can inconvenience some Japanese families.
Accommodation might be another problem. While university dorms exist, they only allow you to stay for a year. Homestays are popular, but the language barrier can make things difficult. Renting places to stay with a friend or a partner is also popular and helps cut costs. Things get even more difficult if you want to rent an apartment, as places can have restrictions for women or foreigners. You'll likely have to manage a proper place to stay before you go to study in Japan.
