School and Student Visa Advice Urgently Requested

[Nall-ohki]

Hey everyone, I'm here for the first time to ask you all for help. Any information you can give me here will be very helpful to me, so please respond soon if you can.

My ﾂ就ﾅ?wﾆ池ﾆ旦 "shuugaku visa" (a.k.a. Pre-College Visa) was denied for study this spring. After my school spoke with immigration, I found out that because of my visa history, I am unable to to get this visa again.

However, I CAN still apply for a 窶板ｯﾅ?wﾆ池ﾆ旦 "ryuugaku visa" (a.k.a. College Visa) for somewhere else.

I am trying to figure out my options right now, and am soliciting advice.

Has anyone out there attended, or know of a school that has advanced Japanese classes which can provide a "ryuugaku visa"? Any information or personal experience with the school is very, very welcome.

My hope is to eventually attend graduate school, but before that, I have to get my ability up from JLPT 2 -> 1.

Most of the places that I have found that offer a "ryuugaku visa" are actual colleges (which I'm okay with), but would require me to apply to graduate school, for which I don't have the skill yet - it's a catch-22.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kirirao]

*waves hands*

I'm on ryuugaku visa. There are a few school with special class (窶佚･ﾅ?wﾂ進ﾅ?wﾂ鞘ぎ窶敕ｵ窶ｰﾃ帚?凖ｶ/Daigakushingakujunbikatei) which are recognize by monbusho. In this class you will be taking nihongo from 9 - 3 then you have to take general subject from 3-5 as for example.

Before 2000, only college that offer ryuugakusei visa. So theres no suprise most of the place you found are offered by college. But there is quite a few school that I know of that offer this course. If you check my history of posting there should be one post stating about my school.


Well anyway, according to my memory.

独立行政法人日本学生支援機構
独立行政法人日本学生支援機構
this school is run by jasso(who is administering the EJU test). I hate them because I cant apply to them because I don't have a freaking sponsor in japan. Since you have already been to Japan theres probably a chance you have a sponsor and will have no problem with this school.


http://www.abk.or.jp/jls/abk.html
My school. Don't go 'what?!?!' when you see the name, and yea, if you ever read any of my posts on my school, even tho the main target is asian student, there is a few non-asian that have come and study at this school. Do read my previous post if you ever want to know more about my school or my experience. If you dont just skip them all


Other:
独立行政法人日本学生支援機構
course at private uni or junior college.
独立行政法人日本学生支援機構
list of same type of school as mine that offer 窶佚･ﾅ?wﾂ進ﾅ?wﾂ鞘ぎ窶敕ｵ窶ｰﾃ帚?凖ｶ/Daigakushingakujunbikatei course. Theres quite a few too choose from.


*REFERENCE*

独立行政法人日本学生支援機構 in english
独立行政法人日本学生支援機構 in japanese
I'm not sure if they update frequently or not. But this should give you a head start :>


Good luck.
And I'd be happy to answer anymore question that you might have on this kind of school system. And if you are to reply after 5pm japan time, I might not be able to reply until the next day 7 am since I got partime job to go to.

 

[Nall-ohki]

Awesome Rio Lee... thank you. I've spent the last 4 hours or so looking at stuff resulting from these links.

I don't have any questions quite yet - give me some more time to examine stuff.

 

[Nall-ohki]

Okay, Rio... I do have some questions now, about the school you're going to (which looks very promising!).

- The pricing structure of the school is not immediately obvious from the website.

I'd like to apply in October... but I'm worried that I would run into problems because of the fact that I'm already at JLPT level 2, and I don't know how much further I could progress if I started at the intermediate course (advanced course isn't even listed).

The 1.5 year thing also might be slightly longer than I intended...

- I'm wondering if, as a college graduate, I would fit in well, considering I'd be trying for graduate school.

- I read your other posts... but just tell me again... HOW many stars would you give it on a scale from 1 to 5?

 

[Kirirao]

Okay, Rio... I do have some questions now, about the school you're going to (which looks very promising!).
- The pricing structure of the school is not immediately obvious from the website.

mmkay~

Pricing

Prep. Course 1 Prep. Course 2
Application Fee JPY20, 000 JPY20, 000
Entrance Fee JPY80, 000 JPY95, 000
Tuition Fee
April Entry 1 year JPY680, 000
October Entry 1.5 year JPY1, 020,000


For me I paid in 2time instalment, before entering and around october i think since mine is a 1 year course. Its on the site

http://www.abk.or.jp/jls/e/outline.html

I'd like to apply in October... but I'm worried that I would run into problems because of the fact that I'm already at JLPT level 2, and I don't know how much further I could progress if I started at the intermediate course (advanced course isn't even listed).
The 1.5 year thing also might be slightly longer than I intended...

Advance class do exist, your class will be determined after the placement/jitsuryouku test at the first day of class. Its quite true that 1.5 is might be too long for you, MAYBE. But since I dont know what your real level are at so I'm not quite sure (giri-giri level 2 or almost level 1 or wayyyyy past level 1 or is it practical Japanese or textbook japanese?). No offense, and I'm not trying to be rude here, but JPLT level 2 is not that high of a level (even if you got full marks on the test) IMHO and level 1 and 2 have a super huge gap. And even if you got level 1 theres still a LONG way to go. Plus even if you get JPLT 1 doesnt mean you can read those senmon book easily, its like those senmon book need you to have JPLT -1 or something So in certain way even doing 1.5yr is not so bad and an advantage really. I would do it if I got the money and if the currency exchange doesnt kill me.

IF you were to enter the advance class, its more interesting since your studies wont be restrited 100% to textbook Japanese. Advance class seems to be more into the actual practical Japanese. From nichijyou until public speech/debate level.

- I'm wondering if, as a college graduate, I would fit in well, considering I'd be trying for graduate school.

Yes, I'm not sure about the real amount of the student currently, im guessing around 400+. 1/3 of them are going for Master and PhD. 2/3 Senmon gakkou and daigaku. I'm a college grad too and around 1/2 of the people here are either college grad or higher. The other half are 18-20yrs old 'kids' lol.

- I read your other posts... but just tell me again... HOW many stars would you give it on a scale from 1 to 5?

Honestly, like I said in the other post. 1 billion stars. period.


Anyway, I apologize for any rude and unhelpful part in this reply :<

 

[Nall-ohki]

mmkay~
Anyway, I apologize for any rude and unhelpful part in this reply :<

Oh, nothing of the sort. You've been very helpful.

I am quite aware of my level at JLPT2, and my point was more that the majority of schools I've seen out there have a focus on the more beginning levels of learning.

This is indeed very interesting.

Just curious... what dorm do you live in an what approximately are your monthly expenses?

Also, there are two dorms available to men... about how many slots do they have for these? How many people at the school are forced to find housing outside the school?

 

[Kirirao]

There are 3 dorm available to guys inside the school, akabane and yamabuki. Yamabuki and inside the school dorm is co-ed. ('co-ed' is used for both man and woman right? Im not sure). I stayed in Yamabuki since it has the biggest room.

note : what? what happen to the akabane dorm? Its gone. ._.

My Monthly expenses, no more then 60,000yen per month for everything, I dont do clubbing and stuff tho. Since I do ride my bicycle to school most of the time (time taken : 15-20mins) my commuting expenses is 0 yen, even if I do take the train it would cost around 3700 yen for student fare and 6000ish for the normal commuting pass. Your expenses can go down alot if you stay inside the school, since water gas electric internet is all free.

The ABK ryou have quite alot of a slot since they even have free space to give out the room to japanese daigakusei student. The place I'm staying have around 30 rooms, and theres quite alot of empty room since no one wants to stay there because it is too far. (not in my opinion tho)

forced to live outside? I'm not quite sure about this, I'm guessing none. why? Since quite alot of the student comes here on scholarship and most of them already got their accomodation prepared for them. Some of the student just dont want to stay in the school dorm since it have a mongen/curfew at midnight, that or probably privacy problem. In Yamabuki, the genkan door is locked at 10-11 am. Its not strictly monitered tho, or rather, its like the mongen doesnt exist at all. Quite alot of people come back around 1-2 am after baito and have no problem. Plus you do get the front door key for yamabuki so it doesnt matter if they lock it or not.

I know I'm contradicting myself over here. After some sleep I remembered a few things. Since theres only a handful of student that actually enter the school on october since its more expensive, there probably going to be only 1 or 2 new class created to cater this new students mostly beginner I'm guessing. So I do worried if you're forced to join the beginner class. On the other hand, when you join in, if you are good enough you'd probably join the other 1 year course class that already done 1/2 year, and continue to study with them for 1/2 year, then rejoin your batch and the other new 1 year students after that. There is 3 girls who joins the most advance class in october since they already got JPLT 1, when I had a chat with them, their actual skill is way past 1 tho. So I'm not really sure where you would end up, quite honestly. It all depends on your jitsuryoku test really.

And, if you already got a firm grasp on kanji, not basic or intermediate level, I mean a really firm grasp (I usually say this to people who already know chinese since they do have a FIRM grasp on kanji) I do believe 1.5 year is a waste of time

 

[Nall-ohki]

Hmmm... so the 60,000 yen... does that include or not include rent for the dorms?

If it includes the rent, you're doing quite well...

Yeah, I only saw two dorms for men listed there... Interesting what you say about the curfew, though.

What you say is interesting... my ability is reasonably good, but the ability is less academic and more practical. My speaking and listening ability is high, but my actual classroom knowledge is fairly low - I'm the product of living and using Japanese rather than studying it. This is what I'm hoping to accomplish. Kanji is not quite my best friend yet.

Now my biggest question... after downloading the forms that they have, I found that I have one or two questions about the questionnaire. The biggest one being:

窶ｰﾃ溪?ｹﾅｽ窶堙可、窶愿ｺ窶怒ﾅ津ｪﾅ?w窶堙可申窶堋ｵﾂ最ｾ窶堙ｱ窶堋ｾ窶堋ｪﾂ、窶愿ｼﾂ坂?佛?ﾃ??板昶?ｹﾃ??堙懌?堋ｽ窶堙坂?愿ｺ窶怒窶佚･ﾅｽgﾅ?ﾃ吮?堙個審ﾂ債ｸ窶堙??｢s窶ｹ窶凪?ｰﾃや?堙俄?堙遺?堙≫?堋ｽ窶堋ｱ窶堙??堋ｪ窶堋?窶堙ｩﾂ。 ﾂ（窶堙坂?堋｢ﾂ／窶堋｢窶堋｢窶堋ｦﾂ）
"I have ever applied for Japanese language school but have been not admitted in the examination by Immigration Bureau or Japanese Embassy"

If you've read my other posts, you know what I'm talking about... my visa was denied this April because it was determined that because I have in the past had a 窶板ｯﾅ?wﾆ池ﾆ旦 for one year on an exchange program, I am not allowed to receive a ﾂ就ﾅ?wﾆ池ﾆ旦. I'm just worried that the school will see this and reject me for it.

Do you happen to know who I should talk to about such things?

I have to thank you again... this information has been very helpful in my time of need.

 

[Kirirao]

60k including the rent, electric, gas, food, fun. Not much fun tho. Student life~ (rent is 40k/month) now that I already moved out I'm trying to live on 40k now

Now that you write about your ability, you remind me of someone in my class, from Ubekistan (I have no idea how to write it, just pronounce it). He's married to a Japanese and got a superb speaking/listening skill. Tho Kanji is his downfall and the max he can go is JPLT 2 since 読解 is the killer~ (for me too) And he still end up the same class with me, which is 1 level lower then intermediate. Not beginner class >.<

Back to the main topic. I seriously have no idea about that. If you're in a hurry you can always call the school directly, and since your Japanese is no problem, you shouldnt have a problem. Or if you're not in a hurry. I'd gladly go to the school personally and ask them directly. Since I'm doing construction baito at night, and sleeping in the morning. I usually asleep at office hour. But I could probably go there in the next 2-3 days on my yasumi if you want me too. Actually I just got back from there getting my 卒業証明書と出席証明書 anyway today, too bad I didnt see your reply when I got out.

No problem Glad to help

note: curfew, there is curfew in all the dorms, but seriously, nobody give a damn who comes or goes at anytime over here

 

[Nall-ohki]

窶堋ｨ窶伉ｲ窶ｹﾃ??堋ｨ窶堙溪?堙??堙??堋､窶堋ｲ窶堋ｴ窶堋｢窶堙懌?堋ｷﾂ！

Hmmm... very interesting.

Thank you for the offer of going into ask - if it is not too much trouble for you, I'd love to have you ask about it for me. If it is too much trouble, though, I will try directly through my own methods (email/phone).

Don't go out of your way, but the thought is very appreciated!

By the way, what are you going to do now that you've graduated?

 

[Kirirao]

No trouble at all, Its haru yasumi and I'm bored as hell. nothing to do no money to do anything but to work work work. So helping you out is a welcome distraction

Going to senmon gakkou to persue my dream and hopefully not screwing up my life in the process since the subject I wanted to study isnt offered by any Univerisity

 

[Kirirao]

Well, this going to be my last post here in this forum. I really hate to bring bad news with it being my last post

I just had a chat with my school and cleared something out. It seems you wont be able to get ryuugakusei visa this route :< The route I took, the 大学進学準備課程 are specificly only for students from country with only 11 years of studies. America got 12 years if I'm right so you wont be able to go this route and get the ryuugakusei visa, even if you try to apply at any other school. And you being rejected also have alot of affect on your application. :<

Anyway I seriously wish you good luck on your way to getting the scholarship. I cant seem anyway else that I could've help you out.


Well time to say goodbye forever to this forum :<
Rio out.

 

[Nall-ohki]

Well, this going to be my last post here in this forum. I really hate to bring bad news with it being my last post

I just had a chat with my school and cleared something out. It seems you wont be able to get ryuugakusei visa this route :< The route I took, the 窶佚･ﾅ?wﾂ進ﾅ?wﾂ鞘ぎ窶敕ｵ窶ｰﾃ帚?凖ｶ are specificly only for students from country with only 11 years of studies. America got 12 years if I'm right so you wont be able to go this route and get the ryuugakusei visa, even if you try to apply at any other school. And you being rejected also have alot of affect on your application. :<

Anyway I seriously wish you good luck on your way to getting the scholarship. I cant seem anyway else that I could've help you out.


Well time to say goodbye forever to this forum :<
Rio out.

Very unfortunate.

Okay, well... I wish you luck in the future. Thank you for all the help you've given me!