WonkoTheSane
先輩
- 12 May 2013
- 1,335
- 311
Why are you bringing deodorant? There's tons of it in every drugstore and even convenience stores.
MEXT Scholarship 2015 (Research Students)
- Thread starter EUS0J
- Start date
Good subject haha. I think you should bring:-Deodorant if you can't live without it, because deodorant options is scarce (Japanese don't wear deodorant).-Medication OTC for cold and allergies, because potency of these medications are low when compared to formulations that are sold in western countries. -Gifts, for your professor as gratitude for accepting you as a research student ("Giri" 義理 culture), something from your country (I am from Costa Rica, so I am bringing coffee and small animal handcrafts). It would be nice to take some extra gifts for your lab colleagues too, or if you meet someone that helped you a lot, return the favor with a small gift. -Comfortable shoes for everyday use and for casual and formal situations, if you have big feet for Japanese standards. It is possible to find shoes of your size, but if they are big it is going to be a little bit difficult. -Your clothing, every day use, casual and formal. -Cellphones bought outside of Japan won't work. You will need to get a phone with a contract when you get there. These are the things that I have considered. What do you think everyone?
Linker
後輩
- 19 Dec 2014
- 13
- 4
I will also bring coffee and handcrafts lol (from Brazil). I guess it is just a great gift if you don't know much about your colleagues. Well, I've thought about shoes also because I wear above the japanese standard, so I'll take a pair for everyday and formal too. By the way it is good to know you feet size in japanese measure system. I'm 28.5, although in American I'm 10.5.
Another thing is going to the dentist if it is cheaper in your country. It saves the trouble for the few starting months.
Coffee is always a good gift! I forgot to mention something about medication: pseudoephedrine formulations are not allowed in the country (it is a precursor of methamphetamine), and I think codeine either; they will confiscate these at airport. Bring pain medication also. It would be a good idea to bring an ethernet LAN cable (to have immediate internet access when you get to your dormitory, because some dormitories don't have WiFi). Also, it would be a good idea to bring plug adaptors (for your computer), because Japanese outlets are two-prong.
What else?
Another thing! Take your current valid driver's license with you, if you have one and if you are planning to drive in Japan. There is a country list (Google it) that are able to convert their driver's license to a Japanese license... Others will have to start from scratch... But, if you have a driver's license, the tests (practical and written) would be a lot shorter and easier, and also cheaper. I have read that obtaining a driver's license (when you don't have one from your country) is a lot of time consuming, and minimum requires $2000 in investment to get it, in addition of being very hard and hence high chances of failing.
afree87, I don't think the professors "want" gifts. You just give it to them, as a thank you for agreeing to mentor you. It's not necessary. It's just good form to thank your hosts with small tokens. You are not required to do it, of course.
I don't know if they really expect gifts from you since you are gaijin, but it would be a good impression and also an expression of gratitude. It is also customary of Japanese culture (it is called "giri").
P Yk Chong
後輩
- 11 Mar 2014
- 59
- 20
I'm thought of bringing some small souvenirs like local keychain and accessories so that whenever possible i can present them as a gift.
But i never heard that no phone from outside cannot be used in Japan.
But i never heard that no phone from outside cannot be used in Japan.
Since I am Slovak and part of Slavic nations, I am definitely bringing some of our strong and specific spirits to give a taste of my homeland + our specific folklore stuff,chocolates and etc.. This is tradition in my culture and nation when you visit someone or want to show you gratitude.
I bought dual sim card cellphone especially for this (Asus ZenPhone5) which is also cold in Japan, no way it is not going to work with their SIM.
Guys,are you all bringing sum of 2 000 USD as they stated in guidelines?
I bought dual sim card cellphone especially for this (Asus ZenPhone5) which is also cold in Japan, no way it is not going to work with their SIM.
Guys,are you all bringing sum of 2 000 USD as they stated in guidelines?
WASEDA MEXT students
All guys accepted to Waseda, I would like to make a separate multi-conversation (preferably) or thread about housing and upcoming stay at Waseda (no matter which school).
Please, PM, dont know how many of us got accepted - so far know only about me, opank and Nekojita, anyone else?
All guys accepted to Waseda, I would like to make a separate multi-conversation (preferably) or thread about housing and upcoming stay at Waseda (no matter which school).
Please, PM, dont know how many of us got accepted - so far know only about me, opank and Nekojita, anyone else?
Hi, really cellphones don't work in japan..but unlocked phones with 3G/LTE will work in japan, moreover some company gives SIM card...maybe we don't need to rent a phone
renting a phone might be a issue for short stay.
Good advice!!! By the way, I wanted to ask if by any chance has anyone received official documents from your universities by air mail? If so, what kind of documents did you receive? Should I be worried because I don't even have a letter of formal acceptance from my university? Thanks!
kurapan
後輩
- 5 Aug 2014
- 45
- 7
Regardless of the amount of the medication, you should have it in its original packaging so that it's clear what it is.
You should not bring some types of food with you, including fresh fruit and vegetable. You will find a list of the restricted articles on the internet.
New mobile phones from abroad should work in Japan, you should be able to sign a contract with a carrier, but afaik the plans are limited if you have your own phone. For example, you could get unlimited data if you get a phone from the carrier, but you can't if you don't. I'm by no means an expert in Japanese carriers, so you might better ask here on this forum or research on your own if you want to be sure what you're heading into. I plan to get a mobile phone from a carrier.
As has been said, you had better go to the dentist before leaving and you might want to consider going to some other doctor, such as ophthalmologist too. I went last week as I knew I would need to get my lenses replaced.
You should not bring some types of food with you, including fresh fruit and vegetable. You will find a list of the restricted articles on the internet.
New mobile phones from abroad should work in Japan, you should be able to sign a contract with a carrier, but afaik the plans are limited if you have your own phone. For example, you could get unlimited data if you get a phone from the carrier, but you can't if you don't. I'm by no means an expert in Japanese carriers, so you might better ask here on this forum or research on your own if you want to be sure what you're heading into. I plan to get a mobile phone from a carrier.
As has been said, you had better go to the dentist before leaving and you might want to consider going to some other doctor, such as ophthalmologist too. I went last week as I knew I would need to get my lenses replaced.
- 9 Feb 2015
- 11
- 0
could anyone please tell me about the GLOBAL 30 MEXT SCHOLARSHIP quota for Tsukuba University???
Seems like I'm the only one worried about a computer lol Unfortunately, mine stopped working a few months ago and I've been using my dad's laptop since then. However, I cannot bring that to Japan since it isn't mine. I'm not sure if I should either buy a new computer before my departing or wait and buy one in Japan. What would you do guys?
knuble22ftw
後輩
- 1 Oct 2014
- 5
- 2
I'be heard that finding a keyboard with western characters can be a pain, especially if you are outside of the big cities. I know you can buy a western keyboard and plug it in via usb, or even change the keys, but who would want to do that? I say pick up a laptop with the basic things you need to be able to communicate with your family and friends, and look up information once there. I wouldnt spend too much on it though being that the first month is going to be heavy on the pockets until the MEXT $ falls through. Just a thought...
lgr
後輩
- 27 May 2014
- 25
- 4
Here you can find more info:
About Global30 | Study in Japan(Japanese university) | Global30
I suggest you email directly the international relation office of that university.
lgr
後輩
- 27 May 2014
- 25
- 4
In japan they use the spray type, and not the solid type, and seem to not have many options.Why deodorant? ... Good to know.
Is that right? spray type or solid type?
