List of webistes for colleges that allow studying abroad.

[RanRane]

Bascially,I want to study Japanese from a very beginner level in Japan in the next 2-3 years, and do you know any colleges that are affordable and allow a course to be taken from almost no knowledge? I have already been to this website: Đang Tải... and they offer a short 4 week course which can be followed by an intensive or a year long course, but I have noticed that the prices on them are quite extreme, compared to this website in Kyoto for a universty teaching Japanese: http://nihongo-center.com/en/foreign/fgn1b.html

On that website it says the price for one term there (which is six months right) is 283,500 yen? Now for six months that is brilliant compared to the other website. Is that correct though? Can some give me some more info on this, and some links to websites that allow foreigners to come and learn japanese at their universities from a beginners level?

Thanks!

 

[MajideSaiaku]

Your only 15, finish up school first, and while your at it, aslong as your studies wont suffer, see about learning Japanese NOW.

The sooner the better.

Only decide to study in Japan if you find a uni or whatever that offers a course you wish to take, dont decide to study there simply because its Japan and study any old thing.

If a western uni offers the best prospects for a course you wish to pursue then see about attending that one.

Otherwise your still a few years off from it, and being 15 you can still change your mind so, worry about getting voer the hurdle of mandatory schooling and your total lack of Japanese first, you can tackle further study and where you take it afterwards,

 

[RanRane]

Your only 15, finish up school first, and while your at it, aslong as your studies wont suffer, see about learning Japanese NOW.
The sooner the better.
Only decide to study in Japan if you find a uni or whatever that offers a course you wish to take, dont decide to study there simply because its Japan and study any old thing.
If a western uni offers the best prospects for a course you wish to pursue then see about attending that one.
Otherwise your still a few years off from it, and being 15 you can still change your mind so, worry about getting voer the hurdle of mandatory schooling and your total lack of Japanese first, you can tackle further study and where you take it afterwards,

Perhaps I didn't phrase that correctly, causing you to misunderstand my intentions. I am not going to leave school education early, and would never dream of doing either. My plan is once i finish college (18), to move to Japan for a year, and study the language- therefore having a proper education in my own country,AND having a years education in japanese of the language. I want to do this, as I would like to study Japanese further at University when I return to continue my education when I am 19. When in University, I am going to take English as a degree, but I am going to take Japanese as a side course so I will not forget what I have learnt.
Then, If all goes according to plan, after 3 years in University in the UK, I shall have a degree in English Lang/Lit, and I then plan to take up a job as a tutor of English in Japan, as I have always had an interest in doing this, and also, the pay is very good! However, I am very interested in Film, especially Japanese anime and film, and may also like to work for a film company perhaps.
Please, do not think that I am throwing away education just to come to Japan, that is DEFINATELY not the case here, nor has it ever been. Since was nine I have always wanted to work in Japan, and had a huge interest in Film originating from the country. My aspitations lie in teaching or Film, and it was I desire to pursue.
Now, If anyone has any websites which offer studying in Japan for beginners, so I have an idea of prices etc, I would be very grateful! And perhaps you are wondering why I am bothered about this now when it is over 2 years away: I'm bothered about it, as I am very interested in my future and making the most out of it!

 

[MajideSaiaku]

18

Unless England is overly different from Scotland, If you wanna go live and work in Japan you wont be leaving full-time education at 18, sorry to say.

Sorry, you need at least auniversity degree to live and work in Japan.

If your thinking of doing a language study at a British/western uni, see if they have an exchange student deal or whatever that allows you to spend time studying in Japan.

You could also perhaps see about a scholarship to a Japanese uni I dunno, but since you appear to be majoring in an English course its doubtful.

I am very interested in Film, especially Japanese anime and film, and may also like to work for a film company perhaps.

Unlikely to happen, but, up to you to try, as someone else here who's lived in Japan a long time and knows the deal stated, your best bet will always be Marketable job skills or such.

What this basically means is if you want to work in Japanese film industry (a very insular industry by the way) you will need to show potential Japanese employers that you have a skill they need.

Japan isnt like a member nation of the EU where you can just waltz where-ever as your whims see fit, the Japanese, putting it bluntly, wont hire a foreigner if they can hire a local for the same job.

Your best bet starting out at least will be teaching English, they always want native speakers to teach and dont seem to bothered by lack of Japanese language skills, but, if your moving to a foreign country, knowing the language at leats to get by is always a benefit, as you seem to know.

I'm bothered about it, as I am very interested in my future and making the most out of it!

Good, no-one should plan on moving to Japan without preparing well in advance, those who seem to want to go sooner end up not getting there at all.

Glad to hear you will concentrate on your education, where you live can come after.


I would advice if you have any serious immigration concerns, to consult the Japanese embassy, and naturally, ask the regular members around here.

I cant really think of any lessons to learn Japanese in Britain, I tried my local area but no joy, so perhaps a more localised search on your behalf will work, check around really.



Basically the Japanese wont want you unless you can do something for them that they cant do themselves (or think they cant) so as Mike Cash always say's, prepare prepare prepare, and most of all, make sure you have job skills that prospective employers will want.

Your safest bet will be starting off as an English teacher and looking for work from there, I assume. Anime and japanese film are nice, but not an entirely accurate portrayal of Japanese life, and your life will involve alot of working and getting by, especially in the beginning.

Also Japanese culture is obviously different, especially in the work place and stuff, so make sure you buff up on the need to knows and make sure thats what you want.


All in all you seem to have a solid fotting unlike some others so yeah, stick your guns in your studies, get that degree, and then plan plan plan for Japan and go!.

Best of luck.

P.S. Really do look around and ask about, there will be those of us here that are far more qualified to advise you and inform you then I.

 

[RanRane]

Unless England is overly different from Scotland, If you wanna go live and work in Japan you wont be leaving full-time education at 18, sorry to say.
Sorry, you need at least auniversity degree to live and work in Japan.
If your thinking of doing a language study at a British/western uni, see if they have an exchange student deal or whatever that allows you to spend time studying in Japan.
You could also perhaps see about a scholarship to a Japanese uni I dunno, but since you appear to be majoring in an English course its doubtful.
Unlikely to happen, but, up to you to try, as someone else here who's lived in Japan a long time and knows the deal stated, your best bet will always be Marketable job skills or such.
What this basically means is if you want to work in Japanese film industry (a very insular industry by the way) you will need to show potential Japanese employers that you have a skill they need.
Japan isnt like a member nation of the EU where you can just waltz where-ever as your whims see fit, the Japanese, putting it bluntly, wont hire a foreigner if they can hire a local for the same job.
Your best bet starting out at least will be teaching English, they always want native speakers to teach and dont seem to bothered by lack of Japanese language skills, but, if your moving to a foreign country, knowing the language at leats to get by is always a benefit, as you seem to know.
Good, no-one should plan on moving to Japan without preparing well in advance, those who seem to want to go sooner end up not getting there at all.
Glad to hear you will concentrate on your education, where you live can come after.
I would advice if you have any serious immigration concerns, to consult the Japanese embassy, and naturally, ask the regular members around here.
I cant really think of any lessons to learn Japanese in Britain, I tried my local area but no joy, so perhaps a more localised search on your behalf will work, check around really.
Basically the Japanese wont want you unless you can do something for them that they cant do themselves (or think they cant) so as Mike Cash always say's, prepare prepare prepare, and most of all, make sure you have job skills that prospective employers will want.
Your safest bet will be starting off as an English teacher and looking for work from there, I assume. Anime and japanese film are nice, but not an entirely accurate portrayal of Japanese life, and your life will involve alot of working and getting by, especially in the beginning.
Also Japanese culture is obviously different, especially in the work place and stuff, so make sure you buff up on the need to knows and make sure thats what you want.
All in all you seem to have a solid fotting unlike some others so yeah, stick your guns in your studies, get that degree, and then plan plan plan for Japan and go!.
Best of luck.
P.S. Really do look around and ask about, there will be those of us here that are far more qualified to advise you and inform you then I.

When you are 18, you are able to leave education for as long as you want, and continue again at university, whenever you see fit. Education stops becoming free after you have finished your 2 years at college, as you go to university. So I don't really see what you mean about the whole Scotland thing. I think you may have misunderstood.
Perhaps I did not simplify what I was trying to portay enough. I hope to move to Japan for a year, when I am 18, AFTER I have finished College, to study Japanese, and just get a taste of the lifestyle properly. Unless I have been mis-guided, I am sure that you can study in Japan WITHOUT a degree, as I have family members who have done this in China before at the age of 19 without any Degree.
Then, after a year of studying Japanese in Japan, I am to return to the UK, and take up a degree in a university, most likely in English. After 3 years at University I shall have my degree, and this is when I plan to move to Japan to WORK. I know you can only recieve Visa's for 1-3 years, and you have to keep renewing these. I am fully aware that moving to any country outside of the EU is not an easy process to say the least.
I feel that throughout what you have just said, you seem to be patronising me because of my age, and being rather negative. Of course, this could be the way I have read through this, and picked up on subtle hints. This is not something that I hope to rush into, hence the reason I am gathering information at such an early stage.

"Japan isnt like a member nation of the EU where you can just waltz where-ever as your whims see fit"
Unlike any stereotype you may hold in your views, I however, do not fit this. I have respect for any country of which I have ever visited, and have tried my best to adjust to any regulations of traditions they practice.

"You could also perhaps see about a scholarship to a Japanese uni I dunno, but since you appear to be majoring in an English course its doubtful."

Why would an English Degree be a doubtful choice for a scholarship? The last time I checked, English is something that is highly desired for of any person working in a foreign country, and Is one of the easier ways of moving to a country, as you have something to offer. And incase you didn't notice, the reason I am asking for Universities and Colleges where I can study Japanese is only for a year, which you can do as I have seen it as options on many websites. I want to spend a full year in Japan to study Japanese, that way I would have a fuller and more in-depth knowledge of it. I am not hoping to move to the country when I am 18 and live and work there: I do not even wish to get a job when I go there for the year.
Incase you are wondering where I plan to stay, I plan to get accomadation through the College/Uni OR through another agency, for example, Sakura House.

I hope I have cleared up any misconceptions you have of what I have tried to explain, and would now like to go back to the subject at hand.

So, can anyone give me some links to some good colleges/ Universitys which have courses for Foreign students to learn Japanese?

 

[Nall-ohki]

Not to pimp any particular place in particular, but when I did my research for this type of thing, Yamasa consistantly came up on the top of the list.

Look it up at www dot yamasa dot org (sorry, can't post URLs yet)

Hoping to be there next April.

Just for quick info., they've got:

Japan Discovery (study and touring)
2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks
12-28 classes a week
Estimated cost with Accomidation: (NOTE: These vary a lot by the options you choose)
295,680 (4 weeks)
439,220 (10 weeks)

Short Intensive Language Acquisition Course
4 - 12 weeks
23 classes / week
Estimated cost with Accomidation:
171,200 (4 weeks)
423,680 (12 weeks)

For beginners.

Note that the option I chose for accomidation is one of the more expensive ones, but it's the option that's easiest for people who are on a short stay. There are cheaper options available.

Note that Yamasa helps you with your accomidation, something that a lot of places will not do. Also note that getting short-term accomidation in Japan for a reasonable price is rare, and borders on the impossible if you don't speak Japanese.

 

[MajideSaiaku]

When you are 18, you are able to leave education for as long as you want, and continue again at university, whenever you see fit. Education stops becoming free after you have finished your 2 years at college, as you go to university. So I don't really see what you mean about the whole Scotland thing. I think you may have misunderstood.

Nope, sorry, you misunderstood, you wont be able to work in Japan without a degree. Period.

You can go to uni whenever you want or do what you want, but without that degree it wont be doing it in Japan.

Perhaps I did not simplify what I was trying to portay enough. I hope to move to Japan for a year, when I am 18, AFTER I have finished College, to study Japanese, and just get a taste of the lifestyle properly. Unless I have been mis-guided

If thats the case you will have to make sure you somehow have enough money to form a budget to last you that long, again i repeat, without that university degree you WONT be working in japan.

AFTER I have finished College

Hate to be repeating myself but a college qualification wont cut it. Degree. Need. Period.

Sorry...

Unless I have been mis-guided, I am sure that you can study in Japan WITHOUT a degree

Possibly, but then you have to find a Japanese uni that will take you, if this is the case it will be the better option, but if your gonna go to uni in Japan, you wont need to bother with uni elsehwere. I dunno if a Japanese uni will except a foreigner for a one year course, if they even have such a thing.

And you would need to consult with a Japanese consulate/embassy to see what the working rules are for foreigners studying in Japan.

I have family members who have done this in China before at the age of 19 without any Degree.

China isnt Japan.

I am to return to the UK, and take up a degree in a university, most likely in English. After 3 years at University I shall have my degree, and this is when I plan to move to Japan to WORK.

This part sounds okay, you know for a fact you can live and work in Japan with a degree, and by the sounds of a degree, perhaps a teachnig position, which is the most open area for foreign employment. The problem is this year in Japan deal, I have my doubts its possible, if you need to work while there to keep yourself, Japan isnt the EU, so unlike say studying on the continent, you cant just decide to up-sticks to Japan and expect to study and get a job for a year.
You will have to look for infomation on Japanese universities aswell and see if they have any one year courses and wether they accept foreigners for these.

Theres definately exhcange programmes, but as far as I know they tend to involve short stays for courses relevant, such as Japanese study, or full blown 4 year deals.

I am fully aware that moving to any country outside of the EU is not an easy process to say the least.

Good to know.

I feel that throughout what you have just said, you seem to be patronising me because of my age, and being rather negative. Of course, this could be the way I have read through this, and picked up on subtle hints. This is not something that I hope to rush into, hence the reason I am gathering information at such an early stage.

No, not patronising, just being honest, your not the first teenager to have idea's of going to Japan and alot of them stumble along the way because they dont prepare or have the patience it takes.

If you wish to make any sort of life in Japan, which will involve working, you need that degree. There is no way around it.

I am being blunt merely to try and help you, you seem wiser and more thoughtful then many with idea's to hop off to Japan, and Japan needs more foreigners living and working there to help Japan come to terms with the fact it will need foreigners for the labour force and economy and simply our unique skills and take on work and bussiness.

That degree, in the eyes of the Japanese, greatly lends itself to he impression you have important job-skills the Japanese want or need and arent easily found in Japanese potential employees.

Japanese bussinesses if they can help it will hire locals, there are various reason for this, many are logical, such as language skills and knowing the culture and work ethic, others may be a bit less positive, right down to merely aprihensive to take the risk on a foreigner who they have no idea how they will act and work, will this foreigner quit? will he be too pushy or lazy?.


You have to prove to them that you are a good investment, and thats what employee's in Japan are, and to begin proving that, you need to show you have a good education, which the Japanese government has decided is proved via a university degree.

I guess my responses could be looked at as negetive, but I'm just trying to convey the reality of the situation, and that is that the prospects of a foreigner making a living in Japan without knowing exactly is require dof them and leaving plenty of time to prepare, maybe even into the years figures, are negetive relatively speaking.

Unlike any stereotype you may hold in your views, I however, do not fit this. I have respect for any country of which I have ever visited, and have tried my best to adjust to any regulations of traditions they practice.

You mistake me.
The EU has a nice little law that means any EU citizen can go to another EU country, set up home and find work with minimal hassle, hence the waltzing in on a whim comment. This is not the case in Japan.
Japanese only want foreigners that can benefit them, and the Japanese, speaking in terms of employment, arent sentimental for diversity, if they can get or do what they need without a foreigner, they most likely will.

And incase you didn't notice, the reason I am asking for Universities and Colleges where I can study Japanese is only for a year, which you can do as I have seen it as options on many websites. I want to spend a full year in Japan to study Japanese, that way I would have a fuller and more in-depth knowledge of it. I am not hoping to move to the country when I am 18 and live and work there: I do not even wish to get a job when I go there for the year.

Japan is expensive, how will you keep yourself while staying in Japan?.

I dunno, perhaps you get an allowance or something, no doubt you'll know more about this then me, and again, maybe theres special rules for scholarship students, but to live in japan, you will need to work in Japan, even if its studying for a year, and to work in japan you need a degree.

ncase you are wondering where I plan to stay, I plan to get accomadation through the College/Uni OR through another agency, for example, Sakura House.

Good good, I need not mention the difficulty of a foreigner getting private accomadation.

I hope I have cleared up any misconceptions you have of what I have tried to explain, and would now like to go back to the subject at hand.

No worries, as long as your fully informed and aware of what you need to do.

Sorry for any derailment.

 

[thistle]

I think Nurizeko you're being a little harsh, Ran-rane is just asking about
places she could study japanese for a year from beginners level.
I have lived and worked here for 19 years, and all without a degree.
I studied japanese at a japanese language school for over 2 years, working
part-time until I was fluent.
I never was able to go back and get a degree or TEFL as I have children.

She does not necessarily have to go to a University here to study japanese,
lots of japanese Language schools will help you get a student visa and the
prices are not astronomical like at a University.

Just my 10 cents!

to Nurizeko
p.s. how's the granite city these days, I'm part aberdonian myself.

 

[RanRane]

Nope, sorry, you misunderstood, you wont be able to work in Japan without a degree. Period.
You can go to uni whenever you want or do what you want, but without that degree it wont be doing it in Japan.
If thats the case you will have to make sure you somehow have enough money to form a budget to last you that long, again i repeat, without that university degree you WONT be working in japan.
Hate to be repeating myself but a college qualification wont cut it. Degree. Need. Period.
Sorry...
Possibly, but then you have to find a Japanese uni that will take you, if this is the case it will be the better option, but if your gonna go to uni in Japan, you wont need to bother with uni elsehwere. I dunno if a Japanese uni will except a foreigner for a one year course, if they even have such a thing.
And you would need to consult with a Japanese consulate/embassy to see what the working rules are for foreigners studying in Japan.
China isnt Japan.
This part sounds okay, you know for a fact you can live and work in Japan with a degree, and by the sounds of a degree, perhaps a teachnig position, which is the most open area for foreign employment. The problem is this year in Japan deal, I have my doubts its possible, if you need to work while there to keep yourself, Japan isnt the EU, so unlike say studying on the continent, you cant just decide to up-sticks to Japan and expect to study and get a job for a year.
You will have to look for infomation on Japanese universities aswell and see if they have any one year courses and wether they accept foreigners for these.
Theres definately exhcange programmes, but as far as I know they tend to involve short stays for courses relevant, such as Japanese study, or full blown 4 year deals.
Good to know.
No, not patronising, just being honest, your not the first teenager to have idea's of going to Japan and alot of them stumble along the way because they dont prepare or have the patience it takes.
If you wish to make any sort of life in Japan, which will involve working, you need that degree. There is no way around it.
I am being blunt merely to try and help you, you seem wiser and more thoughtful then many with idea's to hop off to Japan, and Japan needs more foreigners living and working there to help Japan come to terms with the fact it will need foreigners for the labour force and economy and simply our unique skills and take on work and bussiness.
That degree, in the eyes of the Japanese, greatly lends itself to he impression you have important job-skills the Japanese want or need and arent easily found in Japanese potential employees.
Japanese bussinesses if they can help it will hire locals, there are various reason for this, many are logical, such as language skills and knowing the culture and work ethic, others may be a bit less positive, right down to merely aprihensive to take the risk on a foreigner who they have no idea how they will act and work, will this foreigner quit? will he be too pushy or lazy?.
You have to prove to them that you are a good investment, and thats what employee's in Japan are, and to begin proving that, you need to show you have a good education, which the Japanese government has decided is proved via a university degree.
I guess my responses could be looked at as negetive, but I'm just trying to convey the reality of the situation, and that is that the prospects of a foreigner making a living in Japan without knowing exactly is require dof them and leaving plenty of time to prepare, maybe even into the years figures, are negetive relatively speaking.
You mistake me.
The EU has a nice little law that means any EU citizen can go to another EU country, set up home and find work with minimal hassle, hence the waltzing in on a whim comment. This is not the case in Japan.
Japanese only want foreigners that can benefit them, and the Japanese, speaking in terms of employment, arent sentimental for diversity, if they can get or do what they need without a foreigner, they most likely will.
Japan is expensive, how will you keep yourself while staying in Japan?.
I dunno, perhaps you get an allowance or something, no doubt you'll know more about this then me, and again, maybe theres special rules for scholarship students, but to live in japan, you will need to work in Japan, even if its studying for a year, and to work in japan you need a degree.
Good good, I need not mention the difficulty of a foreigner getting private accomadation.
No worries, as long as your fully informed and aware of what you need to do.
Sorry for any derailment.

No you have misunderstood. When did i say i want to work in Japan when I am 18? I never said that. I am going to go to a college over in japan for a year to learn the language. No degree required there, even quiered this at my school today with print outs of this entire conversation to show the careers advisor at my school. She told me, that you do not need a degree to study at college, which I was saying I was going to do anyway. And Its not liek im trying to move to the country permanantely without a degree. Incase you still dont understand, I am coming back to the UK when I am 19 to go to university to get a degree in english.
Ihave intentions of working Japan while I go there for my first year to study, and how i shall get the money is nothing to do with you, yet I can assure you that this will not be a problem.
"Hate to be repeating myself but a college qualification wont cut it. Degree. Need. Period."
You dont need a degree to study at a college in Japan. Know this for a fact now as I have spoke to Careers Advisor. Also, I only plan to go there just to study one subject which is the language, and there are many offers in colleges/unis over there for this. Then when I am 19 come back to the UK, and start University here. After I have finished Uni here, i shall have a DEGREE then, thats when I want to move to Japan and start to work if possible. I think you thought I meant live there and work properly without a degree? I would never expect to be able to live or work in a country without a degree, unless you are studying which is onnly a year thing, and i wont be working then just studying.

But thanks anyway for being co ncerned!

 

[MajideSaiaku]

Ihave intentions of working Japan while I go there for my first year to study, and how i shall get the money is nothing to do with you, yet I can assure you that this will not be a problem.

I didnt say studying, I said working.

Unless someone at home is going to be sending you alot of cash, you will need to work while studying in Japan.

So unless there is a special rule to allow foreign students to work durring their studies, or that the course provides an allowance to get you buy, I'm not sure how you will "study" in a country you cant live in. To live you need to work or otherwise have some sort of income for things like accomadation and food and general getting by.
You should see if what courses you will take will provide or help you find accomadation.


You seem to know your stuff and thats great, I'm just not sure if you can work in Japan durring studying there, if you can then thats great, if you dont know, I advise you find out or find some form of arrangement to get the cash to keep yourself living and breathing and relatively comfortable for the period of your studies there.

Send a PM to Mike Cash, or other regulars who have lived in Japan a while, they may know, or better yet, you could just ask the Japanese consulate/embassy.

No doubt you'll be looking up the website or info for this studying abroad programme/course at a Japanese uni to see if your allowed to work there.

I would think you should be able to, since there is already a programme in place where young adults from various western countries can work in Japan for a year.

Otherwise Japan is very strict on these sort of things.

I apologise if I have bothered or annoyed you, just really wanting to make sure you have every angle covered, ALOT of young dudes and girls such as yourself have made big sweeping statements of intent to move and live in Japan, almost all of them never relise their ambition.

The more foreigners who make a go of life in Japan and do well and make a good impression, the more likely in the future Japan will be more relaxed with its immigration rules and all that, and hence the more foreigners with good intentions can come and contribute to Japan while making a life for themselves there.


Ignorance of the hurdles in place at the momment means alot of these well intentioned ambitious foreigners never make it past the concept stage.

When I say do your research I mean really do it, even if you think you know it all, make sure you double-check, if someone gives you one opinion, ask a second (this goes for my advice to ).

Otherwise I say good luck and hope you acheive your goals and make a nice little life for yourself in japan in the future.

Ran-rane is just asking about
places she could study japanese for a year from beginners level.
I have lived and worked here for 19 years, and all without a degree.
I studied japanese at a japanese language school for over 2 years, working
part-time until I was fluent.
I never was able to go back and get a degree or TEFL as I have children.

Sounds promising, seems like students can work while there.

Out of curiosity, how did you manage to Live and work in Japan without a degree?.
Everywhere I've come across has stated that To live and work in Japan beyond a student capacity requires a degree, and there is no way around this.

She does not necessarily have to go to a University here to study japanese,
lots of japanese Language schools will help you get a student visa and the
prices are not astronomical like at a University.

I would suggest you could email or PM RanRane with what you know, you seem to know your stuff.

to Nurizeko
p.s. how's the granite city these days, I'm part aberdonian myself.

Terrible, Donald Trump, that jerk of an American billionaire has the audacity to propose to bulldoze the beautiful scenery near Balmedie for one of his ugly elitist golf clubs, the Local Evening Express newspaper reads more like a propaganda peice and I'm half a mind to report them to someone for possibly being in the Pocket of Trump or at least the minority of bussinessmen and councilers in Aberdeen who care more for their own ill-gotten dirty money then the people and our interests. Ultimately the Meanie estate it will be built on is in quite a natural state and host to alot of bird species and stuff, it has a site of scientific interest and yeah, hopefully the enviromental organizations with interests in the area will put the proposals down.


The there was that hassle with a new bypass for Aberdeen, which would destroy alot of peoples homes and cut right through some beautiful countryside. It was proposed no doubt because whiney commuters were complaining about the 10 minute traffic jams at some places in Aberdeen at 5pm because their too fat and lazy to use a bus, and the council were too incompetence to suggest a monorail system or something which would actually improve transport for everyone and improve the city without bulldoze vast tracts of countryside and peoples homes. In the end the Scottish executive dragged its heels and as far as I know its in limbo, the project would cost too much money (near the billion mark).
Serves the Drivers right anyway, its not the peoples who homes would be destroyed fault for the traffic jams, its their own fault for getting in the car rather then walking or cycling or whatever, Britain could learn from Japans public transport and peoples heavy use of bikes.

Then theres proposals to put lots of those big ugly white worthless windmills just offshroe, which would be a right ugly eyesore, the loudest voice against it came from the most unlikely place, Donald Trump said if it went ahead he wouldnt build his resort, haha!.

Otherwise Aberdeen is fine, I learned recently that oddly for a British city Aberdeen's new shopping facilities seem mostly within the city rather then on the outskirts like the English counter-parts.

No doubt we won this years Britain in Bloom contest like we ussually do, summer was fine and winter came quite late so everyone got to enjoy some fine weather this year for a change.

I cant really remember much else but I'm sure some new interesting stuff happened I was un-aware of or simply forgot, my mind wanders too often to japan I'm afraid.

 

[RanRane]

Well thanks for you interest, but I assure you, I am not on the same wave length of people my age. And About the money issue, that really isn't a problem, I can assure you.

So back to the top on hand, anyone have any websites?

 

[thistle]

Sounds promising, seems like students can work while there.
Out of curiosity, how did you manage to Live and work in Japan without a degree?.
Everywhere I've come across has stated that To live and work in Japan beyond a student capacity requires a degree, and there is no way around this.

That was a long post about Aberdeen, I can't say I understood half of what you were talking about...
As to your question, I guess it was harder to get a job here without a degree, mainly luck and determination I guess. I never came here as an english teacher though, I came to study japanese, and then have mainly
worked in the travel industry. I did get a job working in an International
Pre-school, amazingly enough, as I knew the owner I guess, maybe my nice
shining personality was enough, I don't know.
Of course, it is not something I would recommend, far better to come having
a degree and also TEFL if you are going to teach english, and they are stricter
now than they were 19 years ago about having correct qualifications. I could
easily get english teaching jobs on the side in Tokyo though just by being a
native speaker.
It was just that in your posts you were starting to make it sound like one
could not make it past Immigration without a degree!
It is possible to live and work here without a degree depending on what kind
of work you are going to do, but not easy to get a working visa. I got
married with a japanese so that was not an issue for me.

 

[MajideSaiaku]

You can work on a spouse visa, which is cool, if you plan on getting married anytime soon.

No help for singletons or those with their hearts set on a non-Japanese partner though.

 

[undrentide]

This is the "Japanese Language School Database" which covers most of Japanese language schools in Japan.
http://www.aikgroup.co.jp/j-school/index.htm
As there are so many of them, it can be a bit difficult to find which one is suitable for your purpose, but it gives detailed information (not that all schools give full info though) - what kind of courses they offer, cost for each course, what their students do after they graduated, etc.
Since you are from Europe, I recommend not to choose a school whose majority of students are from Asian countries such as China, Korea. Nothing is wrong with such students, it is simply because when the majority of students are familiar with Chinese characters (kanji), the lessons tend to be difficult for students who don't know kanji. (This is what I was advised by a person who has long experience teaching Japanese and had many students from various countries.)
I once looked up some schools from this database for a friend of mine who wanted to learn Japanese in Japan. It seems that most schools offers the course for people who want to join college/university in Japan.
If you wish to learn Japanese from the very beginner's level, perhaps the general Japanese course which some schools are offering.

Since you have a dream, I hope you can find a school where you can study what you really want, to materialize your dream.

 

[RanRane]

This is the "Japanese Language School Database" which covers most of Japanese language schools in Japan.
http://www.aikgroup.co.jp/j-school/index.htm
As there are so many of them, it can be a bit difficult to find which one is suitable for your purpose, but it gives detailed information (not that all schools give full info though) - what kind of courses they offer, cost for each course, what their students do after they graduated, etc.
Since you are from Europe, I recommend not to choose a school whose majority of students are from Asian countries such as China, Korea. Nothing is wrong with such students, it is simply because when the majority of students are familiar with Chinese characters (kanji), the lessons tend to be difficult for students who don't know kanji. (This is what I was advised by a person who has long experience teaching Japanese and had many students from various countries.)
I once looked up some schools from this database for a friend of mine who wanted to learn Japanese in Japan. It seems that most schools offers the course for people who want to join college/university in Japan.
If you wish to learn Japanese from the very beginner's level, perhaps the general Japanese course which some schools are offering.
Since you have a dream, I hope you can find a school where you can study what you really want, to materialize your dream.

I would just like to thank you for your reply, and for showing such benevolence. That link has proved most useful!