Soka University Study Abroad Student

[ebrown42]

Hello,

My name is Emily and in December I will be departing for a little less than a year to participate in a study abroad program with Soka University in Hachioji, Japan. I have quite a few questions when I stumbled across this website and decided that I might be able to find some help here. I will be taking five classes for language and one for business. Most likely I will be placed in beginner's program because I have only been studying at college level for a year. A few things have concerned me though and I would like to hear the opinions of those who might have a clearer understanding.

1) Do grocery stores carry a good number of American products? I know coke is popular, but what else can I expect to find?

2) I'm a small petite foreign woman and I have heard mixed reviews on how foreigners are treated. Should I worry? If so, what are some preventive actions I can take?

3) Aside from the obvious (such as clothes) what should I pack? I really don't want to take much, but a lot of what I am taking is electronic, should I buy an adapter here or when I'm there?

4) How expensive is food in Japan? I heard it can be very pricey. How about clothes?

5) Does anyone know what Hachioji is like? I've tried looking it up on the internet but all I find are WWII references and uninformative websites. Is it a big city or small town?


These are the only questions I can think of (at 3 in the morning), but more than likely more will spawn. Thank you for all of your helpful replies!

[Greji]

1) Do grocery stores carry a good number of American products? I know coke is popular, but what else can I expect to find?

If you will be staying at Sokkadai, it is on the outskirts of Hachioji (a very large city). You can take a bus to the Hachioji train station area and there are numerous department stores and "grocery" stores available. They have anything you want from anywhere.

2) I'm a small petite foreign woman and I have heard mixed reviews on how foreigners are treated. Should I worry? If so, what are some preventive actions I can take?

No more than the usual hot breathers like Take : ) There have been some bad cases, but not many of those problems do usually occur. Security wise it is relatively safe (safer than the US, which isn't saying much).

3) Aside from the obvious (such as clothes) what should I pack? I really don't want to take much, but a lot of what I am taking is electronic, should I buy an adapter here or when I'm there?

Sounds like you got it with that. For petite smaller women, they can find clothes anywhere. Much different from the states. Standard electrical voltage in Tokyo is 100 volts AC, 50 cycles. Appliances designed to operate on 110–]4) How expensive is food in Japan? I heard it can be very pricey. How about clothes?[/QUOTE] You can find cheap up to the most expensive in the world.

5) Does anyone know what Hachioji is like? I've tried looking it up on the internet but all I find are WWII references and uninformative websites. Is it a big city or small town?

It is one of the largest cities in the Tokyo suburbs about one hour by express train from Tokyo Station. It is spread out so you need to travel around town by bus quite a bit unless you plan on getting a car and driving. There is a bus terminal at the University itself.

[Behan]

If you happen to see a man walking a goat coming down the street towards you,

[SIZE="5"]RUN FOR YOUR LIFE![/SIZE]

Just kidding. That would be Greji, a true gentleman.

See you in Japan!

[Mike Oxlong]

If you happen to see a man walking a goat coming down the street towards you...

I actually do see that where I live. Take them to the park to graze.

[MrUltimateGaijin]

Hachioji, due it's location, is hotter in summer and colder in winter than other parts of tokyo. also, the hayfever may be a bit worse. But you can go hiking in takao. Most of your shopping/living needs are within walking distance of the station.



hachioji station

[jingai]

Wow, on topic and useful replies. This is a first! Don't let it happen again.

[ebrown42]

Thank you so much for all of your quick and helpful replies. I am currently in the process of trying to find a few books to prepare me for the culture shock. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Ketou]

Personally I think any books on Japan are only going to make the transition harder. The more preconceived ideas you have the more stunned you'll be when they're blown out of the water.
Come with an open mind to new experiences and just enjoy the differences. You'll go through the pendulum of love then hate to neutrality and the longer you stay the less likely it is you'll ever be comfortable in either country.

[Greji]

If you happen to see a man walking a goat coming down the street towards you,

[SIZE="5"]RUN FOR YOUR LIFE![/SIZE]

Just kidding. That would be Greji, a true gentleman.

See you in Japan!

Damn! I was just about to tell her to pack a goat and you had to go and ruin it! At any rate, what is this gentleman shit? Are you trying to ruin my reputation?

[bolt_krank]

I used to live near Hachioji - and I thought it was a good spot. There's a tonne of unis around there - which I think is good if you're going there as a student. Try and get to know the area around there too 'cause Shinjuku and beyond is a bit of a hassle to get to. Mind you - no train hopping needed.

Like everyone else has said - go there with an open mind, try and have fun - and you will.

[Takechanpoo]

Hi Emily, I was born and raised in Akishima and Tachikawa just next to Hachioji. So Hachioji is almost my home town. North Hachioji area around Soka Univ is a gently-sloping hill area where there spread tasteless and thickless townscapes like other Tokyo suburban area. If you like, I would like to escort and guide you around Hachioji. I also know the place of Soka's hostel for foreign students. Don't worry, I am a gentleman. Don't be shy.

[TennoChinko]

Soka University is part of the Soka Gakkai organization.
Don't be surprised if some Japanese quietly distance themselves from you once they discover you are a student there. Despite their massively funded propaganda efforts, it is a cult - and a very powerful one at that. The founder, Daisaku Ikeda, is an ethnic North Korean which explains their traditional friendly sympathetic relations toward Kim Jong Il and his late father Kim Il Song.

[MrUltimateGaijin]

to prepare me for the culture shock. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tokyo is extremely westernized. The only real culture i had was related to japans rote learning education system and its effects on its victims.

[ebrown42]

Hmmm I had heard rumors that they were a strong cult organization but had trouble finding websites to collaborate. Regardless, should I be worried and perhaps even not be going to this school? It's not my intention to graduate there but will it ruin my prospects in the international/particularly Japanese/ market?

Takechanpoo I may just take you up on that, but it will be a while before I am even in the area.

[TennoChinko]

Hmmm I had heard rumors that they were a strong cult organization but had trouble finding websites to collaborate. Regardless, should I be worried and perhaps even not be going to this school? It's not my intention to graduate there but will it ruin my prospects in the international/particularly Japanese/ market?

Takechanpoo I may just take you up on that, but it will be a while before I am even in the area.

Articles references in the wiki entry on Soka Gakkai:
1. http://www.time.com/time/international/1995/951120/japan.html
2. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/14/world/a-sect-s-political-rise-creates-uneasiness-in-japan.html
3. http://www.rickross.com/reference/gakkai/gakkai39.html (more articles here: http://www.rickross.com/groups/gakkai.html )

From a site covering cults around the world:
4. http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=7&id=57&Itemid=11

From a blogger who reminds me Takechanpoo (both good & bad) but nevertheless insightful:
5. http://yellowpeep.blogspot.com/2006/05/soka-gakkai-cult-rules-japan.html
6. http://yellowpeep.blogspot.com/2006/07/soka-gakkai-high-possibility-of-north.html

[Taro Toporific]

Hmmm I had heard rumors that they were a strong cult organization but had trouble finding websites to collaborate.

BBC's explanation of the organization: The Chanting Millions
(which the BBC was forced to erase from their site).

Regardless, should I be worried and perhaps even not be going to this school? It's not my intention to graduate there but will it ruin my prospects in the international/particularly Japanese/ market?

If you survive more than a year at Soka University, some [color="Silver"]if not most[/color] major Japanese companies will "avoid" hiring you.

After few weeks of putting up with Soka U. happy-crappy chanting, I would just go down to a nearby college like Tama University's admissions office, tell them you need to change.

--------------------------

In college lived with a gaggle of Soka Gakkai roomates for six months and I learned the following the hard way:

---DON'T BUY THE NEWSPAPER.
---Soka University = Soka Gakkai (literally, "value-creating society") and yes it is as creapy as it sounds.
---Most of the students and professors of Soka University are Soka Gakkai members.
---Soka Gakkai is a school of faux-Buddhism--really, really fake Buddhism.
---The organization is run in a totalitarian manner with top-down control and they ALWAYS want your money (don't buy the newspaper).
---Believers are told to be "many in body, one in mind."
---The curriculum COMPLETELY reflects the cult's beliefs.
---SG's "spiritual king" Ikeda's interpretation of Buddhism is to achieve world harmony becoming one with North Korean luvin' Ikeda and chanting a lot.
---If you haven't been recruited yet, what you will hear is odd promises of material rewards and happiness as long as you chant (and do as told).
---Chanting in a bastardized Japanese kana version of meaningless Sanskrit (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) is a road to enlightenment and the sound of damn chanting to an altar in the morning and evening will drive ya nuts.
---Did I mention, don't buy the newspaper?

Bottom Line: At the very best, Soka University is gonna be like going to a super-creepy Mormon University; at the worst, you'll end up drinking the Koolaide.

[Greji]

Don't worry, I am a gentleman. Don't be shy.

he,he,he.....

[Mr. Noodle]

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo? 10 times in a row to make everything better?
Cult?
Well that explains why my ex was such a closed-minded nutjob

[Takechanpoo]

Probably some Soka believer might already detected and observed this thread.
They always hide themselves next to you and prick up your ears.
Yeah, you know, that is like North Korea or former communist bloc. And this is the reason Japanese people never talk about Soka in public.
Be careful, dudes.

[ebrown42]

I was so excited about going to Japan and now I don't know what to do. I don't have money and this university offers free housing and tuition the same as if I went to the states. I'm conflicted and now scared. I can back out, but September (I mistyped in the previous post, I am actually leaving in September) is coming and I just don't think I can get out at this point. I don't want to be hated or feared just because I go to some weird college and I most certainly don't want to be harassed or harmed. But, I'm not sure I have a choice anymore. All of my paperwork has been submitted. I haven't paid anything, but still...My teacher (a grad of Soka) is the one who recommended me so highly that another school allowed me to do their program. She warned me that by the summer it would cause a real problem if I tried to back out. I'm christian, what if they don't like me because of it?

[ebrown42]

Well, I may have just pissed off the very person who helped me, but I had to send her this email. I need her reassurance that this is safe. This is what I sent to her,

"Dear Mazzotta Sensee,

I'm sorry to trouble you, but a few worrisome articles have been brought to my attention and I would like some reassurance that this university is both safe and well respected in Japan. As you know, I would like to conduct business with other Japanese organizations, will this university help or hinder me? Also, I am Christian, will this be a problem while I am there? Please answer at your earliest convenience.

Articles references in the wiki entry on Soka Gakkai:
1. http://www.time.com/time/internation...120/japan.html
2. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/14/wo...-in-japan.html
3. http://www.rickross.com/reference/gakkai/gakkai39.html (more articles here: http://www.rickross.com/groups/gakkai.html )

From a site covering cults around the world:
4. http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?o...d=57&Itemid=11

From a blogger (both good & bad) but nevertheless insightful:
5. http://yellowpeep.blogspot.com/2006/...les-japan.html
6. http://yellowpeep.blogspot.com/2006/...-of-north.htmlReply With Quote"

What do you think?

[sillygirl]

deleted, dp

[sillygirl]

Don't worry, I am a gentleman. Don't be shy.

he,he,he.....

Back in yer box Take...

[Doctor Stop]

deleted, dp

Yep, DP goes in the adult area.

[Catoneinutica]

[quote="Taro Toporific"]BBC's explanation of the organization: The Chanting Millions
(which the BBC was forced to erase from their site).



If you survive more than a year at Soka University, some [color="Silver"]if not most[/color] major Japanese companies will "avoid" hiring you.

After few weeks of putting up with Soka U. happy-crappy chanting, I would just go down to a nearby college like Tama University's admissions office, tell them you need to change.

--------------------------

In college lived with a gaggle of Soka Gakkai roomates for six months and I learned the following the hard way:

---DON'T BUY THE NEWSPAPER.
---Soka University = Soka Gakkai (literally, "value-creating society") and yes it is as creapy as it sounds.
---Most of the students and professors of Soka University are Soka Gakkai members.
---Soka Gakkai is a school of faux-Buddhism--really, really fake Buddhism.
---The organization is run in a totalitarian manner with top-down control and they ALWAYS want your money (don't buy the newspaper).
---Believers are told to be "many in body, one in mind."
---The curriculum COMPLETELY reflects the cult's beliefs.
---SG's "spiritual king" Ikeda's interpretation of Buddhism is to achieve world harmony becoming one with North Korean luvin' Ikeda and chanting a lot.
---If you haven't been recruited yet, what you will hear is odd promises of material rewards and happiness as long as you chant (and do as told).
---Chanting in a bastardized Japanese kana version of meaningless Sanskrit (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) is a road to enlightenment and the sound of damn chanting to an altar in the morning and evening will drive ya nuts.
---Did I mention, don't buy the newspaper?

Bottom Line: At the very best, Soka University is gonna be like going to a super-creepy Mormon University]

Everything Uncle Taro said. My J-wife is an easy-going, comparatively broad-minded type, and even she finds SG to be utterly sinister. She complains that they extort money from dying hospital patients in exchange for promising to pray for their recovery.

[Behan]

Cults prey on the weak and vulnerable. My mother-in-law, a divorcee who raised four children on her own, was a member of Soka Gakkai.

[Taro Toporific]

....I am Christian, will this be a problem while I am there?

....I am Christian, will this be a problem while I am there?

As I said before, SG is Japan version of the Mormons.

If you are a strict Christian, Protestant or Catholic, you will/should not survive the S-University. Ask your Minister or Priest. When he/she turns white when you utter the word SG, you will understand.

Technically speaking, Buddhism (especially Zen) is perfectly ok with ecumenical/liberal Christianity. The SG-freakzoids will quite correctly point to the fact that even UN recognizes them as a "world peace" charity. You can attend the S-University just like you "could" attend Brigham Young University (but I would not wish on my worst enemy).

However, if you a real Baptist or Catholic, SG and their educational institution is Satan Incarnate.

As I said before, I lived in a shared SG house in my university because rent was cheaper than the just shared utilities my previous roommates' house. The savings was not worth it (and I am a big, belligerent, butthead who not afraid of any religion).

[Yokohammer]

Many years ago when I got married, my wife's family insisted that we have a Nakoudo (go-between) so that the marriage arrangements would be all nice and formal. That in itself wasn't really that much of a problem, but the fact that the appointed guy just happened to be Soka Gakkai turned out to be an incredible pain in the ass (it wasn't the wife's parents' fault).

Those people will wedge their way into any situation and try to force-sell their "religion", especially if they think you're in an easily pressured situation. In fact, they actively seek out social roles that make it difficult to refuse requests for "favors," etc. Very gangster-like. Before we knew it we were deluged with requests to subscribe to their paper. "Just for a few months," as a favor. Of course they were prepared to let us have the first few issues free (note the resemblance to heroin dealers). They wanted to come round to the house with a projector and show us a movie. They wanted to come around and "talk."

I'm a pretty strong-headed individual, and I didn't budge, in fact I was even rude, but it was literally months before they gave up. Tried every trick in the book. It was a huge, huge pain in the keister. Like trying to get rid of lice.

Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are Soka Gakkai. Orlando Bloom is Soka Gakkai. I really don't know why it is, but there are quite a few well-known and respectable artists who seem to have been sucked in. Of course the cult deliberately goes after high-profile people in order to raise their image. Same with Scientology.

As far as Soka Gakkai goes, the best advice I can give is "stay away."

[wuchan]

Many years ago when I got married, my wife's family insisted that we have a Nakoudo (go-between) so that the marriage arrangements would be all nice and formal. That in itself wasn't really that much of a problem, but the fact that the appointed guy just happened to be Soka Gakkai turned out to be an incredible pain in the ass (it wasn't the wife's parents' fault).

Those people will wedge their way into any situation and try to force-sell their "religion", especially if they think you're in an easily pressured situation. In fact, they actively seek out social roles that make it difficult to refuse requests for "favors," etc. Very gangster-like. Before we knew it we were deluged with requests to subscribe to their paper. "Just for a few months," as a favor. Of course they were prepared to let us have the first few issues free (note the resemblance to heroin dealers). They wanted to come round to the house with a projector and show us a movie. They wanted to come around and "talk."

I'm a pretty strong-headed individual, and I didn't budge, in fact I was even rude, but it was literally months before they gave up. Tried every trick in the book. It was a huge, huge pain in the keister. Like trying to get rid of lice.

Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are Soka Gakkai. Orlando Bloom is Soka Gakkai. I really don't know why it is, but there are quite a few well-known and respectable artists who seem to have been sucked in. Of course the cult deliberately goes after high-profile people in order to raise their image. Same with Scientology.

As far as Soka Gakkai goes, the best advice I can give is "stay away."

Did you try wielding a chainsaw?

[Greji]

Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are Soka Gakkai. Orlando Bloom is Soka Gakkai. I really don't know why it is, but there are quite a few well-known and respectable artists who seem to have been sucked in. Of course the cult deliberately goes after high-profile people in order to raise their image.

Supposedly, Art Garfunkel is a member and it is rumored that this was the major cause of the break-up of Simon and Garfunkel as a duet.