How to Move to Japan 101
Millions of posts are dedicated to this topic, but many want to hear it directly from someone who did it as a teenager and someone who looks like them!
This blog post will answer the most frequently asked questions I’ve received over the past seven years and allow you to discover a path that works for you. I will be hyperlinking all of the available information I have for you to do your own research after reading this post!
Q1: How did YOU move to Japan?
I moved to Japan to receive my bachelor’s degree right after high school. The application process was similar to applying to university in the United States. I knew I wanted to major in International Relations or something similar, so I made a list of schools on a Google Doc that accepted international students. I followed each application guideline on each website, as you would do with any school.
Here are some schools for you to check out that offer English-based degree programs (undergraduate + graduate programs available):
Doshisha University (ILA) - Kyoto, Japan
Doshisha University MBA - Kyoto, Japan
Ritsumeikan University - Kyoto, Japan
Temple University - Tokyo, Japan (New campus in Kyoto!)
International College of Liberal Arts - Yamanashi, Japan
International Christian University - Tokyo, Japan
Nagoya University - Nagoya, Japan
For admission details, please check each individual website for requirements regarding grades, GPA, and majors.
Q2: I’m low-income. How can I go to school abroad?
Please refer to each university’s scholarship policies, as there are MANY scholarships available for international students. Private scholarships are granted at admission on occasion, but you may also look into the MEXT scholarship. You can find more information on other scholarships here.
Q3: How much do you recommend saving?
For student visas, it is required to have tuition + proof of funds for one year (if staying for one year or more). This may also depend on your school of choice. General rule of thumb is to save between $10,000 to $15,000. I used GoFundMe, there is no shame in asking for help, especially if it’s for school.
Q4: I don’t want to go to university. Is there anything else I can do?
There are other options available for you to move abroad, depending on your Japanese ability and career interests. Many go for the English teaching route to get their foot in the door. If you are interested in teaching English, please refer to GaijinPot.com
Additionally, you can also become a caregiver or work as a software engineer. However, if your Japanese is limited, work opportunities become even more scarce.
If you would like to go to Japanese language school, there are many options available throughout the country. There are long-term and short-term courses available. I can refer you to two sites here:
Japanese Language School Kyoto - Kyoto, Japan
Nihongo Center - Kyoto, Japan
To begin brainstorming about what you want to do, consider these aspects:
Language ability
Climate
English accessibility
City vs. Rural
Budget
I hope this post can aid you in discovering a path that works for you and your needs. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to moving to a different country, and you have to do it for you! This is only my first post, so stay tuned for more and subscribe to my newsletter for updates!
-Brianna
