Need experts advice

[Killer Tofu]

i posted this on japan newbie but the responses were kinda dry:

id like to move to japan in about 2 years to study the language and arts. I plan to stay at least a year hopefully 2. Im starting from scratch here guys. ive been reading every single site i can find. Yes i was dissillusioned at first but now ive come to grips with how hard it really is doing what it is you guys do. Thats why im coming to you (the experts for help) I got 2 years of planning to do here. The reason y i chose 2 years is cuz i wanna get some sorta college associates degree before i go so i have something to come back to, and of course i gotta save up a shitload of cash( somewhere around $10,000-$15,000) just to be able to survive. i mean with there insane rents(6 months in advance) and then having to pay for the train everywhere. itll drain me fast. k so what im asking of u guys is give me everything you can think of. How you did it?what long term(at least 2 years) going abroad programs there are?? im 20 going on 21 soon And im a dirt poor college student(community college) on hiadus from school.(arizonas public college sux nuts) im starting to study some japanese language right now(mostly from the web) I do have 1 single factor going my way. i have a japanese cousin that lives there(im getting in contact with her now) the thing is though i dont wanna leech off her, but itd be cool cuz i wouldnt have to be so alone in a new country. haha My family and friends think im nuts cuz of my obsession. they just dont understand!!! My step dad however is helping me find a grant or something.

Sorry to go on for so long here guys!!! hope you can help me out

[den4]

Not really sure about your expertise level in nihongo, but whatever you do, don't expect to be able to speak like a native when you get off the plane. If you are caucasian or non-asian, then perhaps you can fumble away with some broken nihongo and get away with it. If you're of asian descent, then probably use English, at first, to make sure they know that you ain't nihonjin....otherwise they'll wonder why you can't speak japanese, and look at you like you're an idiot....

If you are working at a company, then chances are you may have your transportation between home and company subsidized by the company, but if you're merely a student, then I guess you're on your own....

some more thoughts on this later....

den4

[Evil Gaijin]

Language study is going to be important, but I would suggest getting your cash and work situation taken care of before anything else. Teaching English here not exactly a great job, but you will be able to pay rent and get started on your studies. I've seen quite a few schools advertising on hotjobs.com and other search engines. They usually interview in the U.S., so your financial risks would be much lower than coming here and looking for a job. They may also pay your aifrare over.

Best of luck!

[bejiita]

Well if your Japanese isn't that good and you're concerned about housing in Tokyo, Sakura House is pretty good. You'll have roomates but I consider that a blessing if you're going to be new here. Their link is:

http://www.sakura-house.com/