Studying Abroad in Jan 2009 (Japan)
When I entered college, I knew I wanted to study abroad during college years. By the time it was a second semester in sophomore year, I felt very restless. Circumstances did not allow the possibility to study abroad until two months ago when I decided to change my major. It is required of me to complete at least 12 Credit Hours of my major studies abroad. This realization was freedom to me. It took away the feelings of restlessness instantly and I never felt it since then. Can anyone relate to this?
I will be studying abroad at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan in January 2009. Does anyone have tips for studying abroad? (they don’t have to be applicable to Japan necessarily. I want to know your thoughts.)
I have mixed feelings about this opportunity to live in Japan again. What would Japan be like? How would I feel once I am there? This time it is outside of my parents’ decision but my own to move to another country. I will have to use my own personal finances and the figure of cost is BIG!! I am stressed out about finding financial resources to support myself because of the high living expenses there. I would love to hear your thoughts and advices.
Michelle Kim
I am a Korean by passport who currently resides in Illinois. I have lived in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and the United States.Related Posts
28 Comments to “Studying Abroad in Jan 2009 (Japan)”
May 25th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’ll be honest with you, I am not studying abroad in Japan but I’ve been to Nagoya and it’s a nice University town!! =)
Apply for a scholarship/grant right away!! It’ll help big time. There are lots goin around and you just have to find the right one. Usually, schools will give you a grant for going abroad as well. I guess it just depends.
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May 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
i’m right with you with that feeling of restlessness! After 3 semesters of uni I was able to ease the restlessness by returning to my host culture for 7 months…my excuse was that the university I wanted to transfer to only accepted students in the fall and I would have been trying to transfer in the winter. The 7 month break was a perfect fit! Sorry no advice on studying abroad tho, just that I’m jealous of you
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May 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Good luck Miyon. I don’t know anyone in Nagoya unfortunately but if you really have an emergency you can let me know here so I can contact my family there (in Tokyo) to help you if needed.
I hope the Japanese behave!
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Wow! Miyon! all seems to be going well huh!
good luck! u have about 7 months to prepare, get everything ready, do not procrastinate like i would lol!
You know Japan is a country i would like to go to soon, so you better Learn adn try and enjoy yourselve for the both of us kay!
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Aww.. that’s so sweet of you, Ayako.
Hopefully I won’t get into any trouble >_< and stay healthy and safe hee hee
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Well as you know I’ve had my share of nasty experiences in Japan so I get worried when my friends go there…lol
Also feel free to rant if the locals are being unreasonable…because they can be a real pain in the a** sometimes.
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:26 am
hahaha i know you wanna go to Japan so badly! and even if it takes 2 of your languages to replace japanese you would swap them! haha
i will keep you updated and yea i will *try* to enjoy for the both of us under one condition!– that you enjoy yourself in MD!! haha
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Aw…Ayako =( I have to say I had nasty experiences in Korea, too lol
Why can’t we just enjoy living in the country our parents consider home? rawr….
Thank you for your concern, Ayako. If you need anything while I am in Japan, let me know so I can ship it to your address
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May 26th, 2008 at 4:34 am
hey what can i say! I’m a sucker for the culture!
Hmm…You drive a hard bargain! But it’s a deal!! yea you do that! and we’ll both be good on our word!
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May 26th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Why can’t people just be nice? ^^
I wonder what it is about human nature where they always try to weed out people who are different?
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May 26th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Good Luck Miyon!
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May 26th, 2008 at 6:13 am
You’ll be fine miyon!! =) I mean, as far as I can see, you can speak the language and all. That’s a big thing though.
What I like about the Japanese, even though it might be extremely superficial, they will still help you out, even if they can’t speak English at all. It happened to me once when I ended up at a station in Tokyo (I think it was somewhere around Yokohoma…not really sure) and the station didn’t have romaji signs!! I got so lost and confused. I asked a random stranger in my very very limited japanese and she managed to help me, all in sign language! =)
Oh, and if you like, I know a bunch of people from Nagoya City University. They might be able to help you out, just in case =)
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May 26th, 2008 at 8:45 am
頑張ってください !!!
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May 27th, 2008 at 5:57 am
well i’ve never been to japan before, but i do know a few people, but unfortunately, not well enough to really be of any help. =(
but i’m looking at going to japan after university to teach for a little while, so let me know how japan is!
good luck for the move. =)
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:51 am
aww…thank you André!
I am sure at some point I will randomly bump into your friends. And yes, it will be a relief to have connections there. how lucky am i? hehe =)
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Sherri, i am sorry to hear that you had to go through that 7 months process to alleviate restlessness. I hope all is well with you now. let’s keep in touch on FB, okay?
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:54 am
hehe thank you, Isa!
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:55 am
ありがとう！私ぜったい頑張るからね。;)
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:56 am
that would be fun to teach in Japan, mish.wsl!! keep me updated! ^-^ and thank you for wishing me good luck!
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I’m jealous too! I really wanted to study abroad during uni, but my parents wouldn’t let me (visa stuff) and I’m still pretty resentful about that. Also, what kind of school is requiring that you study abroad AND is making you pay for it yourself? That doesn’t seem fair!!
I know a lot of people in Japan too, if you want connections. Also, how long is your study abroad? I’ll be moving back in March of 2009.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Oh, but I should also mention that everyone I know is in Tokyo, with the exception of my dad, who is in Nihonmatsu.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
You’re very welcome! =)
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Oh wow. I think we will be in Japan at the same time in March! hahaha The spring semester of my studies will end in May, so we have time to meet up for at least 2 months!!!
I want to do internships or work for Japanese business during the summer though.
Let’s meet!!! Shall we?
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June 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
hey miyon
I don’t have any advice on Japan, so all I can do is encourage you!
It’s going to be a new and interesting experience to go to another country on your own.
I’m sure you will enjoy it.
There can be hard times (money-wise and stuff), but stay focused on succeding and keep your self-confidence strong!
We’re here for you if you bump into problems. Like Ayako said…rant here whenever you need
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June 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I am definitely planning to visit Tokyo, Doreen
Maybe we can meet there? ^-^
Let’s plan out the details down the road, shall we? hehe
Do you have a facebook?
Well… no pressure there. If you can’t meet, then that’s fine.
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June 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Maira,
It’s kind of you. I am sure I will be making posts about my experience in Japan. Thank you, girl!
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June 8th, 2008 at 12:46 am
I don’t know anything about Japan and figuring costs, but for what it’s worth I know what you mean, just the knowledge of moving somewhere else gets rid of my restlessness too!
I’m in Denmark and the plan was to stay here for several years, which made me want to travel even more, but then I changed my mind and I will only be here for a year or so, and that took away my restlesness away immediately!
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June 8th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I am glad you no longer feel restless!
How do you like it there in Denmark? Where would you be moving to next?
[edit] oh never mind. i just read your post.
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