I want to go to Japan, please!

[Jeimuzu]

Simple enough right? Well, to be specific...

I want the option to live there, not just visit, so I imagine I'd need a work visa. And to get that, I'll need a bachelor's degree.

This is a very general question, so I'm sorry in advance. I've lurked the forums for a while now and haven't really found enough to help. Honestly, why isn't something like this stickied!

Well, basically it's like this--I want to go to Japan and I'm interested in almost any way to get there, including the JET Programme or university transfer or anything at all! It also sounds great to study Japanese at a university in the USA (where I currently reside) and then go to Japan afterwards. The problem is I'm not rich so I can't go to a fancy $10k transfer program.

I figure this kind of question is somewhat mundane and a hassle to deal with for you guys, but...do any of you have any suggestions, advice, help?

[AssKissinger]

Choose another country.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Simple enough right? Well, to be specific...

I want the option to live there, not just visit, so I imagine I'd need a work visa. And to get that, I'll need a bachelor's degree.

This is a very general question, so I'm sorry in advance. I've lurked the forums for a while now and haven't really found enough to help. Honestly, why isn't something like this stickied!

Well, basically it's like this--I want to go to Japan and I'm interested in almost any way to get there, including the JET Programme or university transfer or anything at all! It also sounds great to study Japanese at a university in the USA (where I currently reside) and then go to Japan afterwards. The problem is I'm not rich so I can't go to a fancy $10k transfer program.

I figure this kind of question is somewhat mundane and a hassle to deal with for you guys, but...do any of you have any suggestions, advice, help?

why do you want to live in japan?

[gomichild]

This is a very general question, so I'm sorry in advance. I've lurked the forums for a while now and haven't really found enough to help. Honestly, why isn't something like this stickied!

Well you must have been lurking with your eyes closed because there is an entire forum about - Visas

[omae mona]

I assume you posted in the Campus forum instead of the Visas forum (as gomichild pointed out) because you are just as happy to come to Japan for some sort of studying. Have you considered applying to Japanese language schools in Japan? You certainly don't need to transfer in from another university; you can apply directly as far as I know.

[amdg]

How old are you and what are you doing now?

[Charles]

Well, basically it's like this--I want to go to Japan and I'm interested in almost any way to get there...do any of you have any suggestions, advice, help?

[pheyton]

There are lots of ways to get to Japan, it just depends on how serious you are. Getting married is the quickest and easiest. Then there's the language school route which I would say is a good one because you will become fluent in Japanese. Without fluency you are TFG. Or you can try the 90day visa hopper in which you will have to fly to Korea or China every 90days in order to renew your visa.

To be honest it's not a good time to go right now with the dollar in the dumper against the yen, 95yen = 1$. Also airfare is still ridiculous. I remember the good ole days of $350 tax incl. RT from LA. Now you are gonna pay $800-900.

My suggestion would be to try and visit once. Get a taste of that ume boshi and either you'll be more determined than ever or you just piss off and go back to the 9-5 route.

Good luck to you.

[kusai Jijii]

Getting married is the quickest and easiest.

I've always been facinated by people who say that.That might be true for FGs who come from third world shit-holes with next to no employment options in Japan. But for even the thickest tertiary-educated, English speaking honkie, there area better ways to 'get in' than fucking marriage.

[Zeth3D]

Obviously if you are already at a university in america, most of them have pretty good exchange programs where you pay the tuition of your school to go to a japanese school.

Next year im doing Nagoya University, where rumor has it that they give 1800$ to move, and 800$ a month for living expenses. I dont know how to judge how decent that is, but its surely better than not having it.

Also depending on what your major is, you can get in some pretty good experience and opportunities. Im electrical engineering and computer science, and you can find nice interships with panasonic or mitsubishi, and others. As crappy as interships are, they really are a great first step, expecially if youre trying to break into a technical field as a foriegner.

[Jeimuzu]

To answer some questions:

I am an adult.

Why go to Japan? Hmm, why is this even relevant? I could give so many reasons and nothing would really change.

As for Japan's economic status, I know they're in a slump but USA is too, and it's just going to get worse. But really, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not going to Japan because I think it'll bring me easy living.

@pheyton: Is there an organization of women who will marry me for the sole reason of getting a visa, and then divorce when it's all said and done? Haha!

I posted in this forum because I do not have a question about visas and since I intend to STAY in Japan (not necessarily forever, just longer than a tourist) I'll need a work visa. And to get that I'll need a diploma. So I'm posting asking if any of you know any good colleges to apply to. Again, something like this should have a sticky!

Thank you to the people who have offered their advice and good wishes! I hope to hear more from you.

[gomichild]

I posted in this forum because I do not have a question about visas and since I intend to STAY in Japan (not necessarily forever, just longer than a tourist) I'll need a work visa. And to get that I'll need a diploma. So I'm posting asking if any of you know any good colleges to apply to. Again, something like this should have a sticky!

Thank you to the people who have offered their advice and good wishes! I hope to hear more from you.

Well that was not clear from your initial post at all. By good colleges do you mean where you are in the USA or in Japan?

Here's a list for Japan.

Also there's not a sticky topic for this kind of thing because most active posters are working here not at university.

To be completely honest people are asking you for reasons why Japan when you don't seem to have a specific goal or even speak the language. The reason they ask is because we have all seen newbies here crushed after a week from the shock of the reality. This place isn't Bladerunner and it isn't Rurouni Kenshin either.

You would be better off going to the Japanese embassy near you and finding out directly from them both visa information (how to apply for a student visa) and also information about which colleges take foreign students and what their language requirements are. There is usually a certain time of year you must apply within and so on. They might also be able to tell you the costs.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Or you can try the 90day visa hopper in which you will have to fly to Korea or China every 90days in order to renew your visa.

i really wish people would stop giving out this kind of advise.

[omae mona]

To answer some questions:

I am an adult.

Why go to Japan? Hmm, why is this even relevant? I could give so many reasons and nothing would really change.

Jeimuzu, it's relevant because there are people here who are willing to offer advice on whether you're deluding yourself or not. I don't know of any foreigners living in Japan who think the country is anything like the image they had before moving here. If you're afraid to hear the pros and cons and balance them, then I'm not sure you're ready to make this kind of life-changing decision.

@pheyton: Is there an organization of women who will marry me for the sole reason of getting a visa, and then divorce when it's all said and done? Haha!

FYI, a spouse visa instantly becomes invalid when you get divorced, so you'd have to leave the country.

i really wish people would stop giving out this kind of advise.

Hey, Cyka, some people might ENJOY the Narita Airport Anal Probe. Maybe they just don't do it as gently at KIX, which is why you're so down on it.

[AssKissinger]

Who thinks this poster will never post again to thank people for the replies or anything?

i really wish people would stop giving out this kind of advise

I agree. That shit ain't gonna fuckin' work anyway.

I've always been facinated by people who say that.That might be true for FGs who come from third world shit-holes with next to no employment options in Japan. But for even the thickest tertiary-educated, English speaking honkie, there area better ways to 'get in' than fucking marriage.

Goddamn, no shit. That's like breaking your legs so you can run in the special olympics.

[gomichild]

Goddamn, no shit. That's like breaking your legs so you can run in the special olympics.

Also it makes things so much harder for legitimate spouses when they go to get visas. Which shits me to hell.

[kusai Jijii]

Also it makes things so much harder for legitimate spouses when they go to get visas.

Is there ever such a thing as a "legiimate spouse"?

[Jeimuzu]

Who thinks this poster will never post again to thank people for the replies or anything?

Hey, that's not very nice!

Actually I just posted a long response and I still haven't seen it show up yet, so I'm posting this to see if it's just processing or if I'm going insane and I never pressed reply.

EDIT: Okay well now it showed up. Confusing!

@omae mona: I understand your situation but please just give me the benefit of the doubt. Of course I'd like to hear stories from anyone's perspective but that wasn't the purpose of this thread. If you're insistent on knowing, you're free to PM me.

@gomichild: Well, the two options I know are going to university in the US, preferrably one that has a language program and culture studies (the latter being much less of a priority), and going to university in Japan. Like I said, I'd be very open to any other options. I'd also like some information or advice about the JET Programme or any other type of program that I would start after I get my bachelor's degree. And well, I suppose that would include suggestions of "get degree, get tourist visa, find job, get work visa, stay in Japan" too.

Another important thing is finances, like I said, I don't think I'd be able to go to a very expensive college (well, expensive in comparison to the cheaper ones, anyway).

(On an unrelated note, what's with all the hostility? Already received the reputation "don't bother, japan doesn't want you" in my CP. Honestly...)

[gomichild]

(On an unrelated note, what's with all the hostility? Already received the reputation "don't bother, japan doesn't want you" in my CP. Honestly...)

The url of this site is fuckedgaijin.com not happysmileyhelpanewbiegaijin.com. So there is possibly some hostility because most of us here are long timers who are fed up with answering basic questions that you can easily google for - or for visa questions because the answer to those are usually "it depends".

Also you come across as a bit naive - yet demanding. We don't have sticky topics about stuff like "you need a degree to get a visa" because any site with information about immigration will tell you that. And a simple search through here will tell you that. And will also tell you we recommend that people seek legal advice as opposed to ours.

I'm still not totally sure what you are asking even - do you want us to say "oh go to this university here and then do this"? Give you a life plan?

As I suggested earlier - do the research and then come back with a question along the lines of "I'm considering applying to Waseda University to so the (whatever) course. Has anyone done this and what were the good and bad aspects for you?"

[Jeimuzu]

The url of this site is fuckedgaijin.com not happysmileyhelpanewbiegaijin.com. So there is possibly some hostility because most of us here are long timers who are fed up with answering basic questions that you can easily google for - or for visa questions because the answer to those are usually "it depends".

Also you come across as a bit naive - yet demanding. We don't have sticky topics about stuff like "you need a degree to get a visa" because any site with information about immigration will tell you that. And a simple search through here will tell you that. And will also tell you we recommend that people seek legal advice as opposed to ours.

I'm still not totally sure what you are asking even - do you want us to say "oh go to this university here and then do this"? Give you a life plan?

As I suggested earlier - do the research and then come back with a question along the lines of "I'm considering applying to Waseda University to so the (whatever) course. Has anyone done this and what were the good and bad aspects for you?"

I said in the very first post of the thread that I'll need a degree to get a work visa, doesn't that imply I'm aware of that?

As for what I'm asking, I'm not really sure how to be any more specific. I need a bachelor's degree and I want to go to Japan. Learning Japanese would be a great thing to do in the process of getting my degree. All I'm asking is for suggestions, advice, recommendations, things you've heard, personal experiences, etc.

And yes, this IS a basic question and I apologize for that.

[kusai Jijii]

All I'm asking is for suggestions, advice, recommendations, things you've heard, personal experiences, etc.

About what specifically?

[wuchan]

I said in the very first post of the thread that I'll need a degree to get a work visa, doesn't that imply I'm aware of that?

As for what I'm asking, I'm not really sure how to be any more specific. I need a bachelor's degree and I want to go to Japan. Learning Japanese would be a great thing to do in the process of getting my degree. All I'm asking is for suggestions, advice, recommendations, things you've heard, personal experiences, etc.

And yes, this IS a basic question and I apologize for that.

1. Study japanese where ever you are now.
2. Get your BA in BS(or whatever your field of study is) where ever you are now.
3. After you get your degree then try to find a job here.

P.S. the grass is not greener on the other side, shit most places here there is no grass.

[samuraiwig]

All I'm asking is for suggestions, advice, recommendations, things you've heard, personal experiences, etc.

You want advice about how to get into Japan? Or what to do once you're here?

You want to work here? Study? Absorb the traditional culture? See Tokyo? Hang out with a J-girl you met back home?

What are your ideas beyond just getting to Japan? If you want to stay here for some time then the first 2 steps should be:
1. Come and check it out before taking the leap
2. Figure out how you can sustain and develop yourself while you're here

If you can clarify some of this then people will be able to offer advice. Currently that's impossible 'cos we have no idea what your skills or goals are.

[IkemenTommy]

Do we have to answer to these same posts like every week?

[Jeimuzu]

About what specifically?

About any method of getting a degree and and learning Japanese.

This would include colleges in the US, colleges in Japan, transfer programs, and for bonus points any information on something like the JET Programme.

Again, I know it's a pretty broad question so I apologize, but I just assume this is the place to ask if any. I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can. I could always just go to a cheap community college for 4 years and then apply to JET or just go there on a tourist visa and try to find work while I'm over there, but that's just my initial most basic idea and I would hope there are better options out there.

As far as location, that doesn't really matter. There are no universities in my area that teach Japanese anyway.

Just out of curiousity, why is it that so many of you are against the idea of going to Japan? It seems a little contradictory, considering the nature of this site. Haha

[GomiGirl]

I said in the very first post of the thread that I'll need a degree to get a work visa, doesn't that imply I'm aware of that?

As for what I'm asking, I'm not really sure how to be any more specific. I need a bachelor's degree and I want to go to Japan. Learning Japanese would be a great thing to do in the process of getting my degree. All I'm asking is for suggestions, advice, recommendations, things you've heard, personal experiences, etc.

And yes, this IS a basic question and I apologize for that.

So your posts are so vague that it sounds like you just woke up one morning and thought - "HEY I wanna go to Japan, I wanna get a degree and I wanna learn Japanese? "

This all sounds kinda odd, so that is why people are, fairly politely, asking why you want to come to japan. This is so that people can have idea as what to suggest to you. Why are you being so cagey?

You don't just wake up and say - "hey what bachelor degree should I get?2 - and expect a personalised reply.

Also, to learn Japanese - nobody knows where you are so how can people make suggestions to you. There are so many options that it would be impossible to put them all down.

How about you think about some specific questions and then ask them - or better yet, find our for yourself on Google. I think people have already given you way more time and energy than you have offered in return.

[amdg]

Your question is very broad, as you admit, and you apologise for that, so far so good. But an apology is worth nothing. You can't ask a fundamentally flawed question, then apologise for it being so and still expect a good answer.

So, you have to start again. Tell us what you are doing now, how old you are, and what experience you have. Also tell us what you want to achieve, other than just "living in Japan". Any idiot can live in Japan. What goal do you have?

There are quite a few people here who have some good answers for you, but you need to find the right questions to ask.

[wuchan]

About any method of getting a degree and and learning Japanese.

This would include colleges in the US, colleges in Japan, transfer programs, and for bonus points any information on something like the JET Programme.

Again, I know it's a pretty broad question so I apologize, but I just assume this is the place to ask if any. I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can. I could always just go to a cheap community college for 4 years and then apply to JET or just go there on a tourist visa and try to find work while I'm over there, but that's just my initial most basic idea and I would hope there are better options out there.

As far as location, that doesn't really matter. There are no universities in my area that teach Japanese anyway.

Just out of curiousity, why is it that so many of you are against the idea of going to Japan? It seems a little contradictory, considering the nature of this site. Haha

In my travels I have seen very few major US universities that do not offer japanese courses. If you are in a community college, get good grades and transfer to a better school that offers japanese. If you have good grades try to get into Havard for an MBA program. Harvard has one of the best japanese programs in the US.

[pheyton]

Move to Southern California and go to either OCC or IVC for 2 years, then transfer to UCI. Each school has lots of Japanese, Japanese courses, etc. We also have the largest communities of Japanese people and Japanese stores in the US, excluding Hawaii. Japense girls study here so they can try out the natives. See if they are as godly as they have been made out to be. Once you are here you can look into Sokka Uni. too. Now the Sokka people are fuckin nutz but they promise every student gets to study abroad, kinda like the Mormons.....

Oh ya, looks like they are onto us foreigners.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081128/wl_asia_afp/japanimmigration

[Charles]

In my travels I have seen very few major US universities that do not offer japanese courses..

Well that's just not true. Japanese is still considered an "infrequently taught language" along with the other tough languages like Chinese and Arabic. Sure there's a boom in Japanese teaching brought on by the anime-addled masses, but it takes many years to build a good Japanese program. Most schools have no Japanese program at all, there aren't enough trained teachers to go round.
There are a few schools that are considered the top programs, UMich, UWash, UIowa, Princeton, and Middlebury. Almost all the top Japanese teachers I know have rotated amongst those schools while doing their MAs or PhDs. Most of the Ivy League schools have J programs, but some of them (Yale) are mired in the ancient past and are still teaching from outdated methods like the Jorden textbook.