Hey all, now before you start shooing me off: I've already done a lot of research of studying in Asia as a foreigner and understand some of the barriers, particularly with Japan. The reason is because I already plan on studying in Asia for a full-program as a foreigner, and will most likely live there for at least 5 years.

What I'm asking is if anybody might have some tips or advice for studying in Japan, which is one of my priority destinations.

I have pretty much no experience with speaking Japanese - something I will probably take up if I fully commit to studying in Japan. I also don't have much funding, I would probably rely on available scholarships, and maybe a part-time job if I can manage to get one.

So, does anybody have any advice such as a recommended university to enter? Is knowing Japanese a certain-must for studying in Japan? Any barriers I should keep my eyes out for (aside from the EJU and in-person entry exam)? Any information about the available scholarships, are they difficult to obtain as a foreign student?

Thanks all, have a great day.

I would think that knowing Japanese would help for studying in Japan, and just being there (obviously the majority of writing is Japanese, so I think it would be kinda hard to find your way around if you didn't know any Japanese at all). Also, I've heard that things in Japan are pretty expensive (especially places to live), so you should probably be prepared for that. Anyway, good luck! :)

Thanks but I was kind of looking for some more inside knowledge :P

I've already travelled throughout Japan so I have a good idea of all these things. I've done more research however and it seems impossible to study in Japan without knowing Japanese as you are obligated to take the EJU exam (why do they offer English courses???).

Anyhow, I'll leave this thread sitting around until I make a decision/do more research. Thanks for your help.

Hey, I know this doesn't really answer your question but one option is doing an exchange program. Kansai Gaidai offer an excellent exchange program that can be taken by university students and independent students (aka they are not currently enrolled in any type of educational institute). I realize that this is not the long term course that you are looking for but it is an option. You can go for a semester or a year (I don't think you can can go for any longer) but they offer Japanese courses and asian studies courses as well as business and other courses. My suggestion would be either to enroll as an independent student or enroll in a university in your country and then spend a year of your degree in Japan. Well I hope that helps a little. Be sure sure to check out there website for more. They also offer pretty good scholarships if you get good grades :) Best of luck!

From what I know is yes you should study Japanese. I had a friend that went there for animation reason. So far he told me he's study their culture so he'll be able to respect them in a proper manner they're used to too. Plus Japanese shouldn't be all bad b/c you'll hear it everyday when someone talk so you'll pick up on it. It was also similar to me learning Spanish when my aunt wanted me to stay at her house and asked me to go to school there. She basically told me its good to understand the homeland if you're gonna study there and the school will most likely teach in their own language plus you want higher opportunities so you have to understand to do so. I would just have to say you need to study on that b/c with school it'll probably be tougher if you don't. Maybe look up the style of the school more that you're planning to go to and stay in that area for a bit to see how you lie it. Sometimes maybe being there for a short vacation might help, like 3 weeks. I would recommend you trying to experiencing it to see how you like it there before you plan to go. People told me they like it there and can be expensive. Maybe you should study on their natural disaster too so you can know what to do if that time comes. Basically stay well knowledge and prepared.

I know one of the easiest way to get a job in Japan is by being an English teacher, they hardly ask for any formal education, you don't have to speak Japanese and as long as you speak proper English you got a good chance to get a job.