A Guide to Studying Abroad in Japan

By Tamiera Vandegrift on September 17, 2018

Whether you’re studying abroad in Japan to immerse yourself in a unique, beautiful culture or to fulfill your dreams of earning your degree elsewhere, you are bound to have a life-changing experience. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually in a way that no other travel experience can offer. The best part about studying abroad is that there are tons of opportunities to travel no matter where you are in your life. As long as you have the desire to expand your horizons, have an open mind to new ideas and cultures, studying abroad is always within the realm of possibility.

If you’re considering studying abroad in Japan, first, know that you’re in for an amazing treat. Second, there are tons of opportunities for studying abroad in Japan – from language immersion to internships to undergraduate coursework. So, no matter what educational level you’re at currently or where you are in life, there are travel programs for you. And finally, you’re in the right place. If your Japanese adventure is still in the planning phase or if you’re counting down the days until your departure, this guide will ensure that your experience studying abroad in Japan is rewarding, educational, and memorable. Get ready to embark on your journey to the Land of the Rising Sun. Keep reading for ultimate, comprehensive guide to studying abroad in Japan and making the most out of your adventure overseas.

lanterns, Japan, Japanese, night, paper lanterns

Image via: www.pexels.com

Meet Japan

Before you take your first real step towards studying abroad in Japan, take a break and learn a bit more about this stunning country. If you have already booked your ticket and you’re waiting for your flight, take a second for a quick lesson anyway. We know and love Japan for their delicious cuisine, gorgeous and entertaining pop culture, and breathtaking architecture – and that’s just scraping the surface! Once you begin studying abroad in Japan, you will recognize the land and its culture as a beautiful mix of ancient and modern tradition, language, and art that all meshes together so perfectly to create a country and culture unlike any other. The Japanese name for Japan is Nihon, which roughly translates to “origin of the sun”. Since the sun rises in the east, Japan earned its name from its proximity to the sunrise hence the nickname “Land of the Rising Sun”. The country belongs to the Asian continent, but it’s actually made up of 6,852 islands! With a basic understanding of Japanese history, you will have a better understanding and respect for the country going forward.

Why Japan?

If you are seeking an overseas experience that will challenge you, add a ton of desirable traits and experience to your resume, and provide you with a unique and exciting opportunity to experience a culture unlike anything else, studying abroad in Japan is everything you’ve been looking for and more. First, there are a ton of great opportunities for students studying abroad in Japan besides taking classes toward a degree. There are also cultural exchange programs, which exist to cultivate an understanding between Americans and citizens from other countries. As a member of a cultural exchange program, you are representing the United States and breaking away from western civilization and culture to immerse yourself in a different world and adopt a new lifestyle for the length of your program. If you want to learn Japanese, but also want a learning experience that is more hands-on and interactive than Rosetta Stone or Duolingo, actually studying abroad in Japan is an awesome option! Language exchange programs are available to everyone, whether you’re in high school, college, or the professional workplace!

Aside from what you can learn from studying abroad in Japan, there are so many things you can experience that are completely worth the price of a plane ticket. For instance, Japanese cuisine is some of the most delicious food out there. Enjoy sashimi and sushi almost everywhere. And the best part? It’s super affordable! Prices typically start at 100 yen per dish, which is equivalent to $0.90 in American currency. Japan is also extremely technologically advanced, flaunting tech gear that won’t be available in other countries for decades. Regardless of your individual reasons for studying abroad in Japan, the experiences you have and the growth you will undergo will both present more reasons why making this journey abroad was one of the best decisions possible.

Discovering study abroad programs

As mentioned before, there are a wide variety of ways to experience studying abroad in Japan. It all boils down to what you want to get out of the experience, what you are most passionate about, and what serves both your career aspirations and academic goals. Almost all colleges and universities offer academic credit and internship hours for studying abroad. For instance, at Florida State University, you can study abroad in Spain and pursue an internship. The university also offers opportunities to earn college credit in Germany, as well as cultural exchange programs in Germany and many other countries. Before you set your heart on one program, do your homework on all the types of programs you have at your disposal and see what interests you the most. If you need more help deciding which program would be best for your time studying abroad in Japan, here is a breakdown of all sources to check out to learn more:

Language Immersion

College Credit

Cultural Exchange

Internships/Jobs 

infographic, studying abroad, Japan, studying abroad in Japan

Infographic by Tamiera Vandegrift

Things to do before you go

Make Plans

There are so many things to do while studying abroad in Japan that you might find yourself completely

overwhelmed. To avoid this and make the most out of your time in the Land of the Rising Sun, you must do your research on your specific destination in order to discover all of the hot spots that are nearby. It’s very easy to fall into the “tourist trap” in Japan. While geeking out over the towering skyscrapers in Tokyo or eating your weight in sushi sounds like an amazing time, you should also take time to do research on the lesser known and lesser appreciated things that Japan has to offer. For instance, if you’re an animal lover and love an island view, consider visiting the Cat Island in Aoshima, Ehime to step into another world where cats outnumber people. In a place as unique and exquisite as Japan, stepping onto the road less traveled will definitely make all of the difference.

Budget

Studying abroad can be a very expensive experience, and studying abroad in Japan is no different. Sure, there are scholarships, loans, and grants you can discover to help with tuition and lodging. However, transportation, airfare, food, and extracurricular activities should definitely not slip under your radar. Before the trip, calculate all of your estimated costs throughout the entirety of your time in Japan. It’s okay to take a rough estimate at first, but always try to round up in case of emergencies. One of the worst predicaments you can find yourself in is being dirt broke in a place that’s far from home. With that being said, once you build your budget, it is absolutely imperative that you stick to it and refrain from living outside of your means.

Pack Effectively 

When you’re getting ready to spend a large amount of time in another country, it’s tempting to pack your entire life into one suitcase. As tempting as this may be, you must resist and pack according to the length of your stay and the nature of your specific purpose for studying abroad in Japan. If you are studying abroad in Japan for an internship or job shadowing experience, you will want to make sure that the bulk of your wardrobe is professional dress. If you are studying abroad in Japan for an outreach program or a cultural exchange program, you should bring a wider variety of clothing options to suit different needs and different daily activities. Often, study abroad programs will offer you a suggested list of clothing and different items to pack, but if your particular program doesn’t, it’s best to stick to your gut.

One thing to keep an eye out for is objects that might find themselves on the no-fly list of any Japanese airline. For instance, Japanese airlines typically place a restriction on the number of medications that you are able to bring in and out of the nation. Do your research on what is allowed on the plane and what isn’t to avoid having to leave some important objects at the security check.

Learn Japanese

The absolute best practical way to prepare for studying abroad in Japan is to learn as much of the language as possible before your trip begins. With programs like Quizlet and Duolingo, it is now easier and faster than ever to learn the basics of any language. Before you even board your plane, you should make sure that you have basic greetings and questions memorized to minimize your stress abroad. Studying abroad can be challenging enough, but when you are studying abroad in a country that doesn’t speak English for the most part, it’s important to adapt to the surroundings to survive effectively. Bring a language book along with you for quick translations and as a life vest for any challenges you could encounter. If you are studying abroad in Japan for the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new language, this is the best opportunity to test your knowledge and learn more. On the other hand, you may run into people who are just as eager to learn English as you are to learn Japanese. Reach out to friends you meet along the way and ask them to coach you. By the time your trip wraps up and you find yourself boarding a plane to that far away western world you call home, you might just find yourself fluent in one of the top ten most-spoken languages of the entire globe. That is one heck of a resume booster.

Stay Positive

Studying abroad in Japan is definitely one of the most incredible, life-changing experiences you can have at any point in your life, but that certainly doesn’t make the experience easy. Studying abroad can be a real challenge when you are facing language barriers, homesickness, and culture shock, but it is important to keep calm and maintain an open, positive mind. Instead of writing off something you have seen or experienced as weird or different, remember that you have found yourself in a brand new world and that people might find your culture odd as well. When the language barrier gets you down, don’t beat yourself up. Just do your best in everything you do while you are studying abroad in Japan and the rest will come together on its own.

Japan, Japanese countryside, architecture, dawn

Image via: www.pexels.com

Life in Japan

Finally, it’s time to talk about life in Japan and how to fit in while remaining respectful of the culture while you are studying abroad in Japan. It’s important to remain conscientious of the differences between life in the United States and life in Japan to make the best impression of yourself.

Food

Japanese cuisine is comprised of white rice, the main dish, and several side dishes to compliment the meal. Make sure you have a good understanding of how to use chopsticks. Be sure to also do research on gestures at the dinner table to avoid any inadvertently impolite misunderstandings. For instance, never place your chopsticks in a bowl so that they are sitting up because this is a symbol of death.

Remember how you were always told to chew quietly as a child? In Japan, making noise while you eat or slurping on your food is considered to be a compliment, since it shows that you are enjoying your meal! In a casual setting, men sit with their legs crossed while women sit with both of their legs rested on one side. In more formal dining situations, everyone kneels rather than sitting. Also, keep in mind that it is considered rude to waste food, so only take what you know you can finish!

The quickest way to burn through your money while you’re studying abroad in Japan is to continuously eat out instead of cooking at home. While treating yourself is important, maintaining your budget is more imperative, so try to restrict your culinary adventures as best as you can. Of course, never turn down an invite to make friends if you can help it, but don’t waste your money either. Find a balance and stick to it.

Transportation

While you are studying abroad in Japan, you will find that most of the country is accessible by train. So, make sure that you can read a train map accurately to avoid getting lost and ending up stranded somewhere you didn’t intend to go. Fortunately, Japan is a safe country and people are polite and willing to help tourists, so if you do need help with directions, never be afraid to ask! If you plan to travel a lot during your time in Japan, consider signing up for a Rail Pass. Otherwise, the bus system is known as the cheapest way to get around.

Etiquette 

Don’t forget that while you are studying abroad in Japan, you are a guest in another country. As a guest, you must present yourself with the utmost respect for the Japanese culture to give everyone you meet a good impression of yourself and your hometown.

You will notice that people greet each other by bowing. The length and depth of the bow vary depending on the relationship between the two people engaging. For instance, two friends will greet each other with a quick nod while an elderly person or individual of power will receive a deeper and longer bow. It is very important that you greet everyone you meet with a bow. In America, we are used to casual greetings and conversation so this will be a lot to adjust to.

In every house you enter, you will be expected to remove your shoes and replace them with slippers as a sign of respect. Do not wear your house slippers outside.

Finally, keep in mind that ‘saving face’ is a big component of Japanese culture. So, expect people to speak indirectly in the hopes of remaining polite and not embarrassing themselves. Follow suit by not doing anything to draw attention to yourself in public. Are you used to blowing your nose in public and having telephone conversations on the bus? Shake those habits off because they are considered disrespectful in Japan.

Be mindful of everything you do while you are studying abroad in Japan. Mind your manners and respect the culture.

Studying abroad in Japan is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Make the most out of your trip by doing plenty of research on Japanese etiquette and history beforehand. Learn everything you can about the Japanese language to avoid running into trouble later. Most importantly, live in the moment and savor every second you have in this beautiful, amazing country. Once you find yourself walking through the arrival gate of your hometown, you will find that your memories of studying abroad in Japan are the most priceless part of your trip.

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