Advice on School Trip to Japan?

Hey guys, I'm new here. Hope to visit these forums frequently. I'm looking for a bit of advice.

My university is starting a new program where Japanese language students go to Japan over the summer, taking some courses while we're there. We'll be staying in Kanazawa City, which they say is near Kyoto and Osaka. We'll also apparently be staying with a Japanese family on the weekdays, with free weekends.

Anyway, I've just started studying Japanese this fall, and I'm getting a basic grasp, just need to increase my vocabulary. Do you think it's possible for me to be able to speak it functionally by this June? I'd love to go there and try to speak no english whatsoever. The organizers were also unclear about the costs, claiming only that we'll have to pay a "GREAT DEAL LESS than similar programs". Does anyone have any idea what the costs are for similar programs? I have some money saved up, but I planned on spending quite a bit of it. I just want to know if I have enough now or I'll need more.

Thanks.

Do you think it's possible for me to be able to speak it functionally by this June?

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FYI this is an extremely difficult question to answer. You have to consider how quickly you pick up the language, how much time you spend daily actually speaking the language around other Japanese speaker's, particularly native Japanese speakers, how much vocabulary you learn and can functionally use, and not to mention whether or not what you are saying is intelligible or not.

Learning Japanese in a classroom and actually using it on the streets are two different things altogether. You learn many times text book Japanese in the classroom yet no one speaks textbook Japanese on the street. You really need to focus time on hearing and being able to understand and comprehend what is being said.

There are so many variables to evaluating whether you could be functional or not, also what exactly is your definition of functional too.

The organizers were also unclear about the costs, claiming only that we'll have to pay a "GREAT DEAL LESS than similar programs". Does anyone have any idea what the costs are for similar programs? I have some money saved up, but I planned on spending quite a bit of it. I just want to know if I have enough now or I'll need more.

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This is hard to answer as well, your question is very vague. Each persons spending habits are different and it's impossible to read you mind to know exactly what you are thinking. Since many of us already live here in Japan it's going to take someone who has gone through a program like yours to respond to get an idea of what "GREAT DEAL LESS" actually is.

You could help by telling what your expected costs are, it's too vague as it sits right now. See you might be a person that likes to go out and eat and drink a lot, that costs money. Or maybe shop? Not free either. Your questions are too open ended to give any type of specific advice and sharing more information would help greatly.

You also only say over the summer, is that for 3 months? How long? Specifics please.

Specifics:

I'm pretty good at picking things up. I learn fast. I spend at least an hour on it every day, but I usually spend close to 3 hours total over the course of one day studying.

In terms of my spending habits, they'll probably be modest. I don't particularly enjoy eating, so I won't be going out to buy expensive food, and I've seen the prices for some Japanese stuff I was thinking of importing (namely video games) and they were completely outrageous, so I'll probably refrain from buying too many goods. I was more interested in knowing what the trip might likely cost on its own, without accounting for food and whatnot. I mean more like plane tickets/cab prices for a ride from the airport. I'm hoping to spend less than $2,000 but I'm willing to spend up to $4,000.

I was a bit misleading in saying "over the summer", too. Sorry. It'll be a 4-week trip. Just one month.

Anyway, I'd be fine with general, sweeping answers just as well as very specific answers (examples/anecdotes would be appreciated too).

Thanks again guys : ) sorry I was so vague.

I mean more like plane tickets/cab prices for a ride from the airport. I'm hoping to spend less than $2,000 but I'm willing to spend up to $4,000.

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First off this help a lot. 4 weeks? Think of things this way, an average Japanese salaryman may make $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 per month and that has to cover all their living expenses and what not.

4 weeks with a few grand to spend? You should be fine. Buses and trains cost a heck of a lot less than taxis, and a little research on your part you could find the routes needed to get where you need to go. If your daily living expenses are covered, things like food ,housing, and meals, the rest is going to be spending money.

My nephew went to Fukuoka for something akin to what you are contemplating a few years back and he managed to have a great experience for roughly $1,500.00 or so.

I'm not familiar with the dialect/accent they use in Kanazawa, but I feel safe in guessing it isn't terribly close to the Tokyo hyoujungo you've been learning from your textbooks. That alone is enough to put a major sized dent in the amount of spoken language you'll be able to comprehend from those around you.

Liuqahs15 said:

My university is starting a new program where Japanese language students go to Japan over the summer, taking some courses while we're there. We'll be staying in Kanazawa City, which they say is near Kyoto and Osaka. We'll also apparently be staying with a Japanese family on the weekdays, with free weekends... The organizers were also unclear about the costs, claiming only that we'll have to pay a "GREAT DEAL LESS than similar programs". Does anyone have any idea what the costs are for similar programs?

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Just who are these mystical, mythical "organizers"? Why aren't they able to answer your questions? For HS, place like Rotary Club are very clear on what you will have to provide. Ask your organizers more.

Anyway, I've just started studying Japanese this fall, and I'm getting a basic grasp, just need to increase my vocabulary. Do you think it's possible for me to be able to speak it functionally by this June? I'd love to go there and try to speak no english whatsoever.

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It's unlikely you will be able to speak no English. Lots of people want to try out their poor English skills on foreign faces. Besides, even with the time you are putting in, the other posters have already explained why you are going to have trouble being fluent enough to get by.

Kudos on your study efforts, though. It will certainly make the homestay family feel better knowing that you have tried, and it will make you feel better off, no matter what problems you encounter. Pack a dictionary!

the more you try, the better off you are, but regardless, you're probably going to simply be lost in most situations; the kind of Japanese you learn and hear in a classroom setting is vastly different from the Japanese you encounter in RL (not to mention the speed people talk). But definitely keep up the efforts, and just know that your experiences immersed in the language are going to be even more helpful to your language study. Have a great time too!

Sorry to bump an old topic, but I'm the original poster and I wanted to give an update in case other people are wondering. I finally got to talk to the guy running the trip, and he said information has been scarce because he's not technically allowed to advertise about the trip until after it's been approved by the Dean (though he said the Dean had already told him she would approve it, but she hasn't gotten to it yet).

Anyway, he said we would actually be staying in some facilities used by other Universities who take the same trip, including Oxford, so I assume they weren't going to be terrible conditions. On the trip, we'd have professors to guide us around, and we'd take two Asian Studies-related courses. The cost? Around $6,000. A semester at my school costs about $5,400 alone. Needless to say, I politely declined.

It is very nice to get a follow-up on old posts when there have been new developments. Thanks for sharing the update with us.