Help Needed (Big Time!) on Uni and Course Selection

[Crambo]

[GomiGirl]

Sorry what is your question??

BTW what is Pedagogy

Edit - I just looked it up - just say education studies....

[Crambo]

Sorry about that, I knew I wasn't going to be direct enough, but I just need some suggestions as to which university and courses to look into regarding those three majors and which would best suit my needs. I'm presently 19, and have lived most of my life here in Australia (some short stints in Europe) but I'm applying for a MEXT scholarship. I've looked in to Kyoto Uni and Waseda, I don't know if Kyoto run anything in English, but I'd prefer the lower scale if there isn't anything that is lower scale and English etc. ... But whatever goes! (If this doesn't make sense, give me fifteen minutes and I'll try again :P)

[GomiGirl]

OK my first bit of advice is to "breathe"

- yep that's right - chest rising, chest falling, chest rising, chest falling.

Second piece of advice is to check out the various universities that are one your short list for whatever reason...

* location
* reputation
* sporting associations
(whatever)

Then look at which of these have a good English language program (they will all have a web-site)

Then list your short short list here and see what people say.

I haven't been to university in Japan but there are a few others here that have and would be able to give you some useful advice if you narrow down the questions.

Then do a bit of googling with the key words and see what non-propaganda web-sites you can find that speak about this...

OK remember... breathe... chest rising, chest falling, chest rising, chest falling.

BTW it is easy to change once you get here...

I had a friend at Nanzan University in Nagoya and she loved it. But she was an advanced Japanese student.

[Taro Toporific]

I managed to narrow the desired majors down to Business Administration, Sociology and Pedagogy...

Is this a trick question? ---> Which is the best oxymoron: A)"Japanese Business Administration," B) "Japanese Sociology" or C) "Japanese Pedagogy"?

If so, it's A) "Japanese Business Administration" although C) "Japanese Pedagogy" is damn close second.

From my biz orientation, I'd say you need look for the best place to study Japanese in the most cosmopolitan atmosphere. Of those choices, only one you'll learn ANYTHING from is a Japanese Language major. Of course, Japanese Sociology is a degree in unemployment in any country. Brand-name schools are a must for Japanese connections and help a lot back home too.

[mercutio]

I've looked in to Kyoto Uni and Waseda, I don't know if Kyoto run anything in English, but I'd prefer the lower scale if there isn't anything that is lower scale and English etc. ... But whatever goes! (If this doesn't make sense, give me fifteen minutes and I'll try again :P)

Take a look at Temple University in Tokyo. It is actually the tokyo branch of US university. All of the classes are taught in english. Most of the students are english speaking Japanese students who want a US diploma without leaving Japan or foriegn students. Problem is that since it is a US university they cannot issue you a Japanese Student Visa....you'll have to work out the visa thing on your own.

[Crambo]

Thanks a lot everyone, considering Taro's post I'm best trying to head for much larger and well-known universities then, and should forget the lower-key charm, heh. I checked out Temple but I'd say the entire US connection may wreak havoc with the scholarship, but I'll ring the embassy tomorrow and ask (I would be asking them these questions, but I tried and they don't seem to have any clear cut answers). The question becomes... what's foreign student accommodation like at say, Waseda? (I've an entire bag of questions just waitin' :P)

[GomiGirl]

(I've an entire bag of questions just waitin' :P)

Make sure you check the archives and use the search function.. there is probably a heap of stuff already answered in this fountain of FG knowledge..

[Taro Toporific]

[Taro Toporific]

I'm best trying to head for much larger and well-known universities then, and should forget the lower-key charm, heh...

Low-key charm waaaay out in the boondocks will teach you Japanese faster. We need to know if that's your priorities. If you are thinking a hit-n-run attack on Japan for much less than 2 years, Japanese study is not so important.

[Crambo]

Well the scholarship lasts up to five years if I get a year of Japanese tuition beforehand and then go into a Japanese speaking uni' (not preferable) and it lasts four years or the length of the course I undertake if I'm to go into a uni' with English tuition as an option. I'd planned on staying on afterwards if I can land a job, otherwise my student visa expires etc, and I'm shipped back to Aus'. So I'm hoping to be in for the long run and as long as possible, not a hit and run thing :P

[mercutio]

Low-key charm waaaay out in the boondocks will teach you Japanese faster. We need to know if that's your priorities. If you are thinking a hit-n-run attack on Japan for much less than 2 years, Japanese study is not so important.

boondocks is much better if you really want to learn japanese. 1 year of language school just isnt enough if you want to go to a japanese university.

Well the scholarship lasts up to five years if I get a year of Japanese tuition beforehand and then go into a Japanese speaking uni' (not preferable) and it lasts four years or the length of the course I undertake if I'm to go into a uni' with English tuition as an option. I'd planned on staying on afterwards if I can land a job, otherwise my student visa expires etc, and I'm shipped back to Aus'. So I'm hoping to be in for the long run and as long as possible, not a hit and run thing :P

Most japanese schools will require 1kyuu scores on the JLPT and that is only offerede once per year. If youre ambitious/brave(stupid) get here 1.5 years before the intended exam. If you really want to make sure to get in then you need 2 years to pass 1kyuu....and thats if youre a good student and attend full time. I know of very few non-asians that pass 1kyuu at all and the only people I know of that passed the 1kyuu in 1 year are Chinese so the knew kanji up front.

[Taro Toporific]

Most japanese schools will require 1kyuu scores on the JLPT ... I know of very few non-asians that pass 1kyuu at all and the only people I know of that passed the 1kyuu in 1 year are Chinese so the knew kanji up front.

Oh I hear the pain Mercutio.
I was stuck in Japanese classes with all Chinese students and...... well now after 20years there's no way I could pass 2kyuu let alone 1kyuu. I know a plenty of kanji, but it takes a lot more than that. I'd say Crambo should focus on Japanese first and then try to get actual skillz-- biz or otherwise--- towards his last years of college.

Dang. My brain just hurts thinking 'bout it.

[Crambo]

Well... after a blood test, urine test, some x-rays and hours of photocopying and certification by a JP, and of course sitting the test I've been unsuccessful in my application, which is a bit of a let-down to say the least. I thought I'd give everyone an update and thank you once again for the help, I managed to transfer out of my current (Science) 'academic program' into another (Commerce & Int' Studies), I've enrolled in Japanese IA and should continue onwards through 2 and 3 (hopefully) but I can't start those until the new uni' year, March here in Australia.