need help

[astromali]

Hi im interested in going to japan to study for a year or two with the quickest and most affordable way possible that would also have a japanese language study program for foreigners. Does anyone know what program or school that would allow someone with only a highschool diploma to attend?

I dont have a major in mind and i havent thought or tried to enroll in a university or any type of schooling before so id like to know what i should be looking into to further my education, also what grants or scholarship could i possibly even get?

Sorry if i havent given enough information but im not sure what i should be doing or what questions i should be asking.

 

[Mike Cash]

What do you have in mind? Attending a language school to learn Japanese? Attending a university to work toward a degree? Attending a technical school to learn some job skills? It isn't really clear what you want to do or what you hope to accomplish.

 

[astromali]

What do you have in mind? Attending a language school to learn Japanese? Attending a university to work toward a degree? Attending a technical school to learn some job skills? It isn't really clear what you want to do or what you hope to accomplish.

your right im not too sure. id like to go to a school that teaches me japanese language/culture and general education for a year or longer if possible. i was thinking id attend school and figure what id want to do from there. but my main goal i suppose would be to live in japan. im unsure as to what id need to actually be able to though and what to look for
i know each school or prefecture differs on how to get in. i just need to see what options i really have on how to get from california to japan with a highschool diploma only and a bit of money. of course im not rich so something with a low cost is preferable and what kind of grants or scholarships i can get would help a lot too

i know this is a lot to ask for to anybody but i have no idea where to start my search or what to look up as a foreigner

 

[Mike Cash]

Why do you want to come live in Japan? What do you foresee yourself doing here to earn a living?

Japan is not an easy country to move to; the immigration policy is rather tight. In most cases you're looking at having either a Japanese spouse or at least a college degree in order to get a visa that would allow you to live and work here. Many years of documentable experience in some professional trades can be substituted for a degree in some circumstances. Essentially, if you are young, don't have a Japanese spouse, college degree, or in-demand professional skills backed up by many years of experience you're S.O.L.

Coming here to attend a language school would do nothing toward qualifying you for a visa to live and work here after your schooling was done.

You can look into a MEXT scholarship, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. I know of no other scholarships, grants, or student loans for which you would be eligible on the Japan side. Perhaps you can talk to a counselor at your nearest public university or community college. Give them a try.

 

[astromali]

Why do you want to come live in Japan? What do you foresee yourself doing here to earn a living?

Japan is not an easy country to move to; the immigration policy is rather tight. In most cases you're looking at having either a Japanese spouse or at least a college degree in order to get a visa that would allow you to live and work here. Many years of documentable experience in some professional trades can be substituted for a degree in some circumstances. Essentially, if you are young, don't have a Japanese spouse, college degree, or in-demand professional skills backed up by many years of experience you're S.O.L.

Coming here to attend a language school would do nothing toward qualifying you for a visa to live and work here after your schooling was done.

You can look into a MEXT scholarship, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. I know of no other scholarships, grants, or student loans for which you would be eligible on the Japan side. Perhaps you can talk to a counselor at your nearest public university or community college. Give them a try.

well it was my girlfriends idea at first. she wanted to move to japan before we met eachother and brought it up. now it took me some time to think about it and i wasnt too excited because ive never even left the state of california before. but after awhile i thought, why not i have nothing tying me down in the US really.

as for earning a living, i suppose whatever i can. at the moment i dont have anything in mind but thats something i think i can figure out once im there. in the mean time im fine with whatever kind of work i could get.

i am aware of how difficult and hopeless it sounds but this is something i do want to commit to.

 

[Mike Cash]

What you'll do to earn a living is NOT something you figure out AFTER you move here. You have to be hired by a Japanese company, which will sponsor you for a work visa BEFORE you come here. As I said....you can't just decide you want to move here because it suits you. It has to be for the benefit of a Japanese employer.

I can't emphasize strongly enough that you're going to have to have a college degree if you don't have a Japanese spouse or many many years of professional job experience AND a job offer from a Japanese employer.

In short: get a college degree OR marry a Japanese citizen (or legal permanent resident) OR make other plans for your life that don't involve moving to Japan.

 

[astromali]

What you'll do to earn a living is NOT something you figure out AFTER you move here. You have to be hired by a Japanese company, which will sponsor you for a work visa BEFORE you come here. As I said....you can't just decide you want to move here because it suits you. It has to be for the benefit of a Japanese employer.

I can't emphasize strongly enough that you're going to have to have a college degree if you don't have a Japanese spouse or many many years of professional job experience AND a job offer from a Japanese employer.

In short: get a college degree OR marry a Japanese citizen (or legal permanent resident) OR make other plans for your life that don't involve moving to Japan.

ok i see what you mean. thanks for all your help and time.

 

[Mike Cash]

ok i see what you mean. thanks for all your help and time.

You're very welcome. Please contact a counselor at your local community college about options for your future. That's what they are there for.

There is also the military (there are still bases in Japan).

 

[WonkoTheSane]

I would probably not join the military if it is purely in the hopes of ending up in Japan.

Even if you were to end up in Japan the chances of ending up where you want to be in Japan might not be wonderful. I'd be pretty unhappy stuck in Misawa or Iwakuni!