I would like to know how...

[Drafonis]

I am considering going to a Japanese college. However, due to the fact that I have practically no knowledge of Japanese (except basic grammar and expressions,) I will probably have to go to a college-preparatory school.

However, I need it to be a boarding school for two reasons. One is that, even when I am planning to do this (which will be in three years,) I will be unable to rent an apartment due to slight financial constraints.

The second is the fact that I want to get to understand all the nuances of Japanese and international life, and I am the type of person who is only social with people off-line when I am forced to be.

If anyone has any suggestions on this idea, preferably someone who has experience in Japan with such situations, they would be appreciated.

I understand that I am asking way in advance, but I am starting school in a few days and need to know what courses to take (I'm in 10th grade, but am moving 4 days before school starts there).

Also, I imagine this to be relatively expensive, and need to save up.

 

[Mike Cash]

You'll need to ramp your Japanese up to the JLPT Level 1 in order to gain admission to many/most Japanese colleges.

The examinee has mastered grammar at a high level, knows about 2,000 Kanji and 10,000 vocabulary words, and has an integrated command of the language sufficient for life in Japanese society, and providing a useful base for study at a Japanese University. This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for about 900 hours.

Naturally, the more you learn and the sooner you get started on it, the better off you're going to be.

And "relatively expensive" is an understatement.

 

[Apollo]

Or, if you are interested in studying in Japan in English-taught courses and programmes, there is the International University of Japan;

International University of Japan

The university has some good courses: MBA, Japanese language courses and international relations to name some few recommendable ones.

I know there are other International universities in Japan, there is one in kansai which I can't remember the name of, but I only know IUJ.

BTW: A BA or BSc degree is needed!!!

As mikecash has pointed out, at least 2000 kanji you must know if you want to attend a Japanese-taught university. (2000 kanji you can learn after 1 year of hard study at a university.)

 

[Ewok85]

As mikecash has pointed out, at least 2000 kanji you must know if you want to attend a Japanese-taught university. (2000 kanji you can learn after 1 year of hard study at a university.)

Are you kidding? Even in a year thats a hellish task, about 5-6 kanji A DAY, 40ish a WEEK. I call muri.

Nothing to JLPT 1 i'd say 2 years of intense full time study in japan, 3 or 4 outside japan.

 

[Mike Cash]

Personally, I would find the 10,000 word vocabulary more daunting than the 2,000 kanji bit. Especially if I were outside Japan and didn't have access to a wonderful Japanese language program. Even more so if I were trying to do it while also trying to do a bang-up job on college prep courses.

I admire anyone who can do it.

 

[Apollo]

At the UNiversity of Copenhagen, Japanese propedeutics (1year) it is required to learn 2000 kanji according to the curriculum, and most students pass it.

 

[Mike Cash]

Then, by definition, I admire them.

 

[Apollo]

Yes, but the first year is the toughest,and the least enjoyable.... as there are kanji tests every week (every three days if it is pressured end of term) and it is of course quite hard....
And on top of that, students have conversational Japanese, Japanese culture, litterature etc...but the pressure is of course the kanji the first year.....About 40 hours at school.
In my opinion it is torture, but teh students have lesser weekly hours during 2nd year.

 

[Ewok85]

Hah, and people in my class whinge about 8 kanji a week!