Where would I go in Japan for a full time job?

Can I go to college in Japan and have a job at the same time?

• I know a lot of questions have been asked about this, but none of them really had the answers I wanted. I want to go to college in Japan when I'm 18. I've heard that it's impossible without a degree already and a bunch of other stuff. But I'm wondering if I have even the slightest chance to go to college in Japan without a degree while being fluent in Japanese, getting As and Bs in highschool, and having enough money BEFORE I go to Japan. I know it costs a ton. I also want to work while I'm in college, but I heard that I can't do that without a degree? So how am I supposed to make money during the 2-4 years? Are there scholarships that I can get? I plan to teach English in Japan, but could I get other jobs if I graduate Japanese college, or is teaching English my only option? Thank you so much! Sorry if these/this is a stupid question :l

• Answer:

  Hi Sarah, It is certainly possible to go to college in Japan. Indeed, my job is teaching undergraduates on an internationalization program. To enter a Japanese university there are two main routes. The first is to try and enter through the Japanese stream. For this, you will need to pass the EJU. You will need native level Japanese, and the ability to pass the EJU. Neither of these are easy. Many people spend about two years full time learning Japanese to try and pursue this way. Very, very hard, and very expensive for most people. If you can't pass JLPT N2, you can't do this. The second way is through the Global 30 scheme. The government, at the behest of business, has decided to internationalize some of the top performing universities. The top 13 universities now have degree programs taught all in English (although you will also be taught Japanese), and aimed at foreign students. In my university (Tsukuba) at least, you will be taught in the same classroom as the Japanese students, who will also be learning in English. The G30 programs at public universities tend to have good deals on tuition (for Tsukuba, first year free, compared with the 1.3 million yen Sophia will charge), and have scholarships available too. On a student visa you can work part time, but only if your university says ok. Generally, you can't work for the first 3 months of your degree program. The maximum weekly limit is 28 hours. English teaching isn't your only option, but it is the easiest and best paying of them. www.global.tsukuba.ac.jp is a good place to start Email me, if you like. yman; Temple is not very highly ranked - around 300 / 735 in Japan. Tsukuba is currently number 8 or 9 depending on whose ranking you look at. With Temple, you would be able to get US financial aid, but Tsukuba's financial deal is the best in Japan right now, as far as I can tell (first year free, then domestic fees thereafter [approx $7,000 a year]. We even have scholarships). My standard advice is not to study Japanese language, unless you plan to teach it in your own country. It will do you no good in Japan - even elementary school kids will speak better Japanese than you! Better to get a degree in something else, and study Japanese either as a minor, an elective or in your spare time. You are right about the jobs though - the reason for the G30 scheme to exist is that businesses require our graduates.