Study Abroad

Japan has become a top study destination for students seeking quality education outside Europe and North America. The country was the ninth most popular destination for international students in 2018. There are quite several reasons why international students are drawn to the country. Some students are attracted by Japan's high educational standards, while for others the attraction is Japan's rich cultural heritage. Japan is also one of the most technologically developed countries in the world. However, before you apply to study in Japan, there are things you may not know about studying in the world’s third-largest economy. So in today’s post, we share with you 25 things you need to know about studying in Japan. If you are new to these posts, welcome. We aim for all-round education of young Africans. Consider joining 20000+ others in subscribing to AfterSchoolAfrica on Youtube to continue exploring opportunities and watching videos like the one below: Top 10 Scholarships in Asian Countries for International Students https://www.youtube.com/watch?vpGCi7kK9gn8 Let's begin... 1. Japan has some of the best universities in the world. According to the Times Higher Education rankings for universities globally, there are ten Japanese universities in the top 500 universities in the world. The highest-ranked university in Japan is the prestigious University of Tokyo, which sits at 36. Be rest assured that the education you will get in Japan will compare favorably to those in Europe and elsewhere. 2. Japan is Asia’s second-highest recipient of international students. There were 188,000 international students in Japan in 2018, making Japan the second most sought-after destination for students in Asia after China. Japan is also the ninth destination globally for international students. 3. Some courses are taught in English. When applying to study in Japan, it’s important to confirm if English is the medium of communication for your preferred course. Some universities offer certain courses only in Japanese. Check and confirm that the program you seek will be taught in English before you apply. 4. You will use public transit a lot. The Japanese know what’s up when it comes to subways and bullet trains. The whole country is interconnected by a series of amazingly efficient metro systems. You’ve probably heard of Tokyo’s legendary ‘rush hour’ trope, where people are packed onto the subways like sardines during rush hour. You will have to get used to joining the rush, as most Japanese prefer to use public transit. 5. Japan is safe Japan is listed as the ninth safest place in the world. In any case, it would be wise to be security conscious. Lock your doors and stay out of dark alleys. Japan is, however, safe for international students and tourists alike. 6. It's Possible to Study Abroad in Japan on a Budget There’s no denying that Japan can be expensive. It may be one of the most expensive places in Asia to study abroad. But it’s possible to live on a budget if you have your way around town and make friends with local students who can show you affordable options for most things. Also watch: 10 Most Affordable Countries to Study Abroad for Cheap https://www.youtube.com/watch?vuFtJQ5wwcf8 7. There are entrance exams for Japanese universities. Rather than submitting a GPA or other assessment grades, students applying to universities in Japan are required to take entrance examinations. The ‘Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)’ is a standardized test for foreign students. The exam is designed to test basic academic skills in areas of science, mathematics, and ‘Japan and the World'. Some 95% of national universities, 65% of public universities, and 44% of private institutions require the EJU for entrance. 8. Health insurance is required. All international students staying in Japan for more than 3 months are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance system. Subscribers to the system pay 30 percent of the medical expenses at a clinic or hospital for any medical and dental treatment covered by the system. 9. English is Less Common than You Might Think Most Japanese people have studied English at some point if they’ve gone through the standard school system. But that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable speaking it. Expect English not to be understood in most places you go. 10. You need permission before you can work as a student. If you would like to engage in part-time work, you need to obtain permission from the Minister of Justice in advance. It is also mandatory for business operators to report the matter to the Employment Service Center when they hire foreigners. If granted permission, you will be allowed to work for up to 28 hours a week. 11. There are 780 universities in Japan. There are approximately 780 universities in Japan, of which about 80 percent are private. Additionally, some specialized schools and colleges provide more vocational types of degrees. The top 8 universities in the country are all public, with two private universities rounding off the top ten. 12. Tuition fees are expensive. Tuition fees for all 37 public universities in Japan are set at a uniform rate by the government. An academic year in any of the public universities in Japan will cost you an average of $5,348. This does not include the admission fee for the first year, which is $2575; in total, you could be paying more than $7,466 for your first year tuition in Japan. 13. Scholarships are available. There are a range of government scholarships, grants, and loan schemes open to outstanding international applicants. The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is one such scheme. See AfterschoolAfrica for scholarships in Japan. ALSO WATCH: These 5 Countries Offer Low/Free Tuition Universities for International Students https://www.youtube.com/watch?vR5YAvqvdYfA 14. Japan prides itself on research and technology. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries on earth. Popular technological brands from Japan include Nissan, Toyota, Panasonic, Canon, and Sony. The country also produces robots for every need imaginable. 15. You could lose your admission if you break the laws. Working beyond the approved number of hours or flouting other rules governing your stay in Japan could cost you your admission, and you would be deported. 16. Japan is the second largest maker of cars in the world. Japan produced 8.35 million units of cars in 2017, making it the second-highest producer of cars in the world. Also, Japan still has a long way to go if it intends to catch up with China, which produced a staggering 24.81 million units of cars in the same year. 17. Acceptance rates are low. Institutions in Japan are usually very picky with the students they admit. It is imperative to apply to institutions that have a high acceptance rate. One such university is the Tokyo University of Information Science, which has an acceptance rate of 98%. 18. Chinese students make up 40% of international students. Students from China made up around 40% of all international students studying in Japan in 2017, with 107,260 Chinese students. Expect to meet a lot of them during your stay; do not, however, mistake them for the Japanese students, as they may find that offensive. 19. Punctuality is part of Japanese culture. Punctuality is a cornerstone of Japanese culture. If something is scheduled to start at 8:00 am, you need to be there by 7:45 am. You’ll notice, especially on public transportation, that people are always running or speed walking to their next destination. Lateness is not at all accepted or an acceptable behavior. Do not make the mistake of showing up late for classes or exams. 20. Japan is very clean One of the first things you will notice about Japan is how clean everything is. The people, the homes, the streets—it’s all very neat and tidy. There are also no garbage cans around, so you will have to hold onto your waste till you get home. 21. The Japanese are very polite. The Japanese are polite and soft-spoken people. Children are taught respect from a very young age and are held to high standards. In Japan, people often bow upon meeting one another. The duration and deepness of the bow are proportionate to the power and position of the person you are addressing. 22. The drinking and smoking age in Japan is 20. It is a law that almost nobody ever adheres to because of lax enforcement. As an international student, however, you may not be as lucky as Japanese teenagers. You want to stay away from smoking and drinking if you’re under 20 years of age. Read Also: 20 Top Business Schools and Schools of Management in Europe 23. Japan offers you a rich culture and history Japan is a bucket lister’s paradise, a place where traditional and modern cultures mix to create something incomparable. There are experiences here that can’t be had anywhere else, so don’t come in unprepared, or you might miss out. The sumo game, which is one of Japan’s most recognized cultural events, is held three times a year in Tokyo. 24. Prepare for jet lag after you arrive. Japan is a Far East nation, and flights to the island can take hours. You will fly past multiple time zones before you arrive, except you happen to be living next door. For a lot of students, jet lag usually sets in and can take between six and nine days before they fully recover. 25. Beware of Golden Week If you're planning to study abroad in Japan in the spring semester, this one's for you. Golden Week happens at the end of April and the beginning of May, when many of Japan’s workers get time off. It’s the family holiday season in Japan, and as a result, hotel prices go up, and queues wind around every attraction. You want to plan your stay with this in mind. There you have it. You just learned 25 things you need to know about studying in Japan. Do you have plans to study in Japan? Or do you have any experience studying in Japan? Tell us about it in the comments section below. If you are yet to subscribe to the After School Africa channel, now is a good time to subscribe. Until next time, YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS! Start With Us Do you want to study abroad? Note that obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field helps to improve your chances in the labor market. Studying abroad is no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans, which you can pay for as long as 10 years. MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. Reach out Read Also: Top 10 Degrees that Guarantee a Job in Japan

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