Frankly, a (second) degree in Japanese is
I graduated with a BS in Graphic Design and a BA in Japanese. The second degree gave me grounds to study abroad for a year, which was probably the best benefit I got out of it. If you are already about to graduate from your first degree, and really want the experience of 'testing the waters' for a short stay (yes, a year is a short stay), coming to teach English through JET or some other program is probably the easiest way to do so. However (and I don't mean to belittle those that take this profession seriously), for many people it's just a means to an end. If this is your motivation as well, recognize it for what it is.
Ah, what similar situations we are in (somewhat). I'm happy to hear your experience, as you have basically achieved what I was considering. I couldn't be talking to a more qualified responder! I agree, a year is a short stay and JET seems like a good way to break into Japan. I'm not sure what you mean by "it's just a means to an end." Could you clarify please?
Whatever career path you choose, you need to have a passion for it or you will find yourself disappointed, stressed and miserable. At an early point in my education I had the same unenthusiastic attitude towards graphic design, but when I discovered my passion for the field, the world opened up to me and I realized just how important it is to find your niche. Just know that practicing it in Japan is difficult enough when you are passionate about it, I imagine it would be near-impossible if you lack that motivation, if only because there isn't the same kind of system set up to accommodate foreign workers (as there is for teaching English).
Ah, I agree entirely! That's why I'm considering doing something different with my life. I will admit, perhaps I am a bit delusional and I am having pipedreams of Japan being the perfect country. I am basing my judgment upon visiting for 7 days on vacation, which is far different from living there, even for a month. But I still would like to experience Japan and try to make a better judgment call.
Also, may I ask what you ended up doing with your degrees? Did you double major in college, or get two degrees separately? I had enthusiasm and excitement towards Graphic Design for my first two and a half years, but after that, I became rather jaded and it felt like I was about to enter the rat race, instead of doing something I enjoyed. Are you currently working in Japan or America? What are you doing? You do not have to answer these questions if you'd rather not. I'm just curious.
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Why would you get a 4 year BA in japanese? Do you want to teach Japanese in the future? All that is going to do (and I speak from a position of no experience here) is give you a qualification if you want to do something academic with Japanese. Or waste your time...
I'm not really interested in teaching Japanese in the future. I see your point, but I'm always happy to listen to other peoples' experiences with their degrees and what can come of it.
Go live in Japan. If you can find a graphic design Job in Japan, do that (actually using the language at work is one of the best ways to improve). At the same time, make an effort to use the language as much as possible, study on your own, and take private lessons. Within 2-3 years your Japanese will be great.
I have considered seeking a Graphic Design position in Japan, but one of the biggest concerns and hurdles is learning Japanese typography and which typefaces match certain aesthetics. Perhaps I should put Graphic Design on hold for a while and focus on perhaps teaching English in Japan.
If you come and work at an Eikaiwa or JET, you are likely to find yourself often in a position of being 'the English speaker.' It is hard to explain in few words, but you may not be exposed to as much Japanese as if you had another non-english teaching Job or came as a student. I am just finishing my second year on JET, and it was a great experience, and my Japanese has improved a lot, but there have been a lot of frustrations language-learning wise, and a lot of friction between what I want my role to be and what it actually is. I would still recommend JET, but if you can do something with graphic design, all the better.
Ah, I can see how the position as "the English speaker" can become frustrating. I have a few friends who are trying to learn Japanese, however they get somewhat frustrated when their Japanese friends try to practice their English with them, as it makes it harder to practice Japanese. However, a compromise has to be made somewhere, if both parties are trying to learn each other's language, ne?
Also, where did JET place you? I've heard that they can place you from a medium-sized city to a small countryside. I'm curious what your experience is. Did you take a lot of Japanese prior to JET, or did you pick it up over there? Any and all details you can provide me with about JET would be greatly appreciated!
Unless you are interested in the literature or teaching the language, don't study Japanese at a university. Study something else in Japanese--or get a job. If you really want hardcore language study, one year at a Japanese language school in Japan would probably do the trick.
Perhaps a language school in Japan would be a good idea. From your experience, do you have much downtime in Japan while participating in JET? I'm curious if one can study Japanese during the evening after working during the day. Would it be too difficult to take lessons there while working?
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I'd only study Japanese at university if it won't impede you getting your main degree, or make you stay longer. If you're staying there only to study Japanese, I wouldn't. Personally, I found myself only interested in courses from CS, math, or Japanese, so I took three years. Everyone at UW needs at least one year of foreign language, so that was a no-brainer, and the other two helped me secure some requirements that would have otherwise been hard for me to find classes for.
However, it all comes down to how much motivation you have to self-study. I found it near-impossible with 0 years of formal Japanese education, a little easier with one year, a lot easier with two years, and after three years I'm going to self-study from here on out. In retrospect though, I found the third year to be superficial. It is a lot easier when you have the framework built. If you can construct it through self-study though, go for it.
Sort of unrelated, but study something you truly love. Don't study something you know you'll get burnt out on later.
Thanks for the advice and your experience. It really means a lot to me. I agree that self-study is very difficult with little-to-no experience in Japanese. Before starting my private lessons, I attempted to teach myself somehow with online resources. I found it nearly impossible and I really had no idea where to start. With my sensei's guidance, I am picking it up, but studying at home and finding the motivation to memorize stroke orders and characters is very difficult. I'm sure the learning curve is almost at its' steepest when one is beginning to learn a non-Roman language, ne?
