Japan ... a country with unique features at various levels; It is the fifth globally in the human capital index for the year 2015, and the third largest economy in the world, and includes more than 770 universities with superior academic education, many of which qualified to be at the top of the rankings of universities around the world, in addition to their rich culture, but they were not yet known as a study destination Among Arab students, their number is very limited. If you are a student planning to study in Japan and take advantage of these benefits and more, Here is this report.
Start learning Japanese
All students applying to higher education institutions in Japan must master the Japanese language
The Japanese language is the official language in the country, and it is the language used in teaching programs in Japanese higher education institutions. There are also some study programs offered in English, but their number is limited and it is also limited to certain colleges, technology colleges, institutes, and vocational training colleges do not offer any English language programs. To search for English language courses you can use the website.
All students wishing to enroll in Japanese educational institutions are advised to learn Japanese. All students applying to join the Japanese higher education institutions must show evidence of their proficiency in the Japanese language, and they are required to have 200 points in the (EJU), or the level (N1) or (N2) in the (JLPT) exam, and if the student does not fulfill this condition It is preferred to study the language at one of the educational centers in his country, or one of the Japanese language institutes in Japan.
The language institutes in Japan are divided into two parts, the language institutes of educational organizations, voluntary organizations, or people or others, and offer courses for learning the academic Japanese language, preparatory courses for obtaining admission from universities, and general Japanese language learning courses, the student joining one of the institutes is considered The language that was announced by the Ministry of Justice is a condition for the student to obtain the student’s status on his residence card, while the second section of the institutes is run by private colleges and universities and offers courses for learning the academic language, you can use the nisshinkyo website to search for existing Japanese language institutes in Japan.
The cost of living in Japan
The amount required to cover the student's living costs in Japan is estimated at about $ 752 USD per month, according to the general rate, and it does not include study costs, and about $ 520 of this amount is allocated to cover the costs of accommodation and food.
As for accommodation, despite the availability of student residences that are managed by the government and universities, and which are characterized by fully furnished rooms; However, more than three quarters of the international students live in apartments and private homes, the number of rooms in these dwellings is very limited, and the student must apply to reserve them early, knowing that reservations are made in the students' dorms twice a year, and some students may prefer not to live in them. Because there is a specific wake-up system, appointments to close the dorm in the evening, and kitchens and toilets are shared, so these students search for other options as renting a shared apartment with other students; It is a more expensive option than student housing, but the student will need to furnish the apartment according to his requirements.
Student accommodation costs vary in any of the places available to him; According to the city in which he resides, and the type of housing and facilities available, and the monthly rent for the room ranges between US $ 200-411, while the rent for an apartment that contains one room ranges between US $ 345-580, and these costs do not cover bills, internet services, etc. To search for available places, it is preferable for the student to contact the office of international students at his university, to obtain information about residence on campus, even if the student wishes to reside in private apartments; Many Japanese universities are networked with real estate agencies located in different cities, so students can get to know them through their university, or they have to search through magazines or websites designated for that.
The prices of meals in restaurants also differ according to their type, and the restaurants specialized in serving sushi are the most expensive, while the student can benefit from restaurants that offer menus at low prices; However, this option will also add to his budget gradually increased cost, so home cooking is the solution available to students, and they can take advantage of food stores that offer offers or goods at reasonable prices to them, such as the stores that follow the list of "100-yen shops" Which displays various commodities, From clothing to food, at a price of 100 yen - equivalent to $ 0.8546 USD - such as: daiso - Can Do - Lawson Store - seria.
Study progress and costs
The academic year for Japanese higher education institutions begins in April and ends in March for the following year. This year in many universities is divided into two semesters, the first extends from April to September, and the second from October to March, and there are some universities in which the academic year is divided into three Chapters or four. As for the dates of application for universities, they differ according to the university. But many universities receive requests from applicants within 4-6 months before the start of the study, and the student can collect information about specific dates through the admission guide or student guide that many universities offer on their sites, or he can check the application periods shown on designated sites such as: JASSO - JAPAN STUDY SUPPORT.
Author: Srey Lux