How to Study Abroad in Japan Studying Abroad in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has top-notch universities with semester and summer study options available in several locations. Many program providers offer programs in Japan, including IES, CCIS, CIEE, and Globalinks. There are also many exchange opportunities between universities in the United States and their partner universities in Japan, such as the University of Northern Iowa program at Kansai Gaidai, the University of Montana program at Kumamoto Daigaku, and the University of Miami program at Sophia University.
In the urban centers of Tokyo and Osaka, students get their fill of museums, art, architecture, shopping, and excitement. However, at popular universities in the smaller cities of Sapporo, Kyoto, or Oita, students have access to modern amenities while surrounded by more ancient and traditional facets of Japanese culture. Wherever you study in Japan, you are guaranteed to write a few Facebook posts that begin I can’t believe that I just saw… or You might find this hard to believe, but …
Learning The Lingo. Most study abroad programs in Japan offer language classes, which are highly recommended. Learning basic Japanese words and phrases will quickly help you break down walls with the locals. The vast majority of the Japanese population has studied English, but many people are timid to converse with a native English speaker. By practicing your Japanese, and letting people practice their English with you, you will find you can actually speak with the locals, and are likely to open up dialogues that can really help your language skills. Traveling in Japan is quite easy, as many people are willing to go out of their way to communicate and are often genuinely interested in learning about travelers’ lives.
Learning The Landmarks. The majority of study abroad programs offer unique glimpses of local, regional, and national culture and history under subject umbrellas such as “Arts and Sciences,” or “Society and Culture.” Most programs include excursions to landmarks, temples, museums, and craft shops to provide real-world contexts for learning. Taking courses like these are highly recommended and almost necessary while studying abroad in Japan. International students can lose so much in the newness of everything, if not pointed out by knowledgeable professors. It really enhances your experience in Japan to know that the most famous sword master of all time lived in your town, for example, or that the castle that you walk past every day is a World Heritage Site.
Japan From Coast To Coast (To Coast). This is a small and mountainous island nation, but one of huge regional differences. Before modern roads, rails, and bridges, Japan’s many populations were cut off from each other. Strong regional identities with their own dialects, cuisine, festivals, and specialties emerged over centuries. The Japanese are quite proud to share the unique aspects of their local culture, particularly to travelers coming through town.
All visitors to Japan should travel to both rural and urban parts to develop a deeper appreciation for the dichotomy that exists. Japan is one of the most industrialized nations on earth, yet life in many rural parts of Japan continues on in beautifully traditional ways, with practices dating back for centuries.
Students should get a Japan Rail Pass that allows for unlimited travel by bullet train, over a period of 7, 14, or 21 days. Japan Rail Passes must be purchased before arriving in Japan, but can be activated at any time thereafter. Japan is small that so you can go to sleep on the train on one side of the country, and wake up on the other!
Get Out Your Chopsticks. While studying in Japan, the cuisine is one of the highlights. A favorite trick of the budget-conscious international student is to visit the grocery store shortly before closing. That’s when the fresh food is marked 50-75 percent off, as it can only be sold on the day it is prepared. If you try this you’ll find everything from high-grade sushi and sashimi to yaki udon, okonomiyaki, soba, and tako yaki — all at unbelievably low prices. Make sure to sample everything, as there are many tempting Japanese treats that are hard to find abroad. Fresh ramen from the corner shop is a true treat, and every region of Japan has its own variety. Another delicious dish is yaki-tori – choice skewers of vegetable and meat, seasoned to perfection and hand turned on small charcoal grills.
Save Your Yen. Japan has a relatively high cost of living, however, there are ways to live cheaply in Japan. In Japan, it’s possible to eat very well on a budget, as there are healthy food options at U.S. fast-food prices. The value of the yen has recently begun to edge back down, though, so Japan is actually more affordable lately than it has been in years.
Studying Abroad In Japan? Don’t Miss:
1. Kyoto. Explore the ancient temples, well-preserved gardens, and spectacular teahouses of Kyoto and get a taste for a unique, refined side of Japan’s ancient history.
2. Hanami (Cherry Blossom Party). Every person in Japan likes to get out in the spring for an exquisite picnic under the falling petals, so the famous sites do get crowded and quite lively.
3. Onsen Bath Houses. Visit these pristine and calming bath houses, tucked into beautiful secluded valleys, where hot and healing mineral water bubbles from the earth.
4. Tokyo’s Shibuya District. In this mecca of entertainment, nightlife, and shopping, you’ll see things that you’ve never imagined!
5. Local Festivals. Join in on whatever matsuri (holidays) are celebrated where you live. Dress in a comfortable cotton yukata robe and eat specialties like squid on a stick, or yaki niku (beef kabobs). The Sapporo Snow Festival, Aomori Nebuta Festival, and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival are just a few of the better-known festivals that make Japan such an eye-popping, unforgettable place to study abroad.