Studying abroad?

[packetpirate]

I'm going to be going to college for Computer Information Systems: Programming this Fall. I brought this up with a friend on Stickam JP and he suggested that maybe I should study abroad in Japan for my bachelor's degree. This definitely did interest me as it would let me visit there and get my bachelor's at the same time... also, it would probably look very good on a resume.

Can someone provide me with some information?

 

[Emoni]

Do you speak Japanese perfectly?

If not, and you're not fluent, then I don't know what your friend is talking about or getting this recommendation based on. I don't know of any computer science college courses all done in English in Japan. Maybe there are, but I think you'd best start college here, work your grades up the best you can and do a study abroad program for a year or so in Japan, not a full 4 years.

Wish I could help, really. However, I don't see much to go on unless you give more information and explain where you are getting your information from better.

 

[packetpirate]

I didn't say 4 years... I said I'm getting my associate's here and was thinking of doing this AFTER I get that.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Going to school in Japan will pretty much require excellent Japanese skills. You'll want to learn Japanese before even trying to apply. Hopefully there are classes at your current school. Otherwise there are schools in Japan that specialize in teaching Japanese, so you could join one of those schools. There may even be some universities that have a Japanese as a Second Language programme.

 

[packetpirate]

I am learning Japanese right now, but by myself. I'm using the Genki book series.
I probably will take a minor of Japanese in college.

 

[Emoni]

Well, unless you know of a comp sci program in English that actually allows you to transfer credits from a foreign university... good luck. There was a reason why I said 4 years, because the programs I've seen everywhere are structured like that.

As for starting with Genki, that's great. 6-8 years of INTENSE study and you will have enough Japanese to attempt to pass the tests, and have college level Japanese.

Don't mean to discourage you, but your friend's idea seems to be just a random thought with little reason behind it.

Now, if you really are interested in going to Japan and learning about the country and building connections DO THIS.

Look into a minor in Japanese or special major. Keep your grades up above 3.6 and start saving money. Take classes on Japanese society and culture as well. When you transfer to another college for your BS, make sure you transfer to a college that has a strong connection with a good comp sci or business related university in Tokyo or Oosaka. Go for at LEAST a year, and get involved in as many programs as you can outside of classes. Till this time, keep your Japanese study going... and going STRONG.

There is the way you'll get to Japan realistically. Sorry if it doesn't seem easy, but it's about 700 billion times easier than what you initially mentioned unless there exist a program for a BS in Japan.

BTW, a BS in the US is worth far more than one in Japan. Their college system is a weak joke compared to the US for undergrad at least.

 

[Elizabeth]

I didn't say 4 years... I said I'm getting my associate's here and was thinking of doing this AFTER I get that.

University of Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture is the only officially bilingual school I'm aware of in Japan with a very strong technical/comp sci orientation. You'll have to look into their foreign student population, but at least 40% of the profs are from overseas. Good luck !


University of Aizu - Wikipedia

 

[nice gaijin]

I am learning Japanese right now, but by myself. I'm using the Genki book series.
I probably will take a minor of Japanese in college.

One of my degrees is a BA in Japanese; I studied it for 3 years in the states and was an exchange student in Japan for the 4th. Even at my best, I still wouldn't say I was ready to keep up with native students at the college level, although I was willing to try.

 

[Emoni]

One of my degrees is a BA in Japanese; I studied it for 3 years in the states and was an exchange student in Japan for the 4th. Even at my best, I still wouldn't say I was ready to keep up with native students at the college level, although I was willing to try.

If you are talking about the special major, which I have too, yeah it isn't enough or even close. Your Japanese was always above mine though and probably still is. In many ways, I think it is entirely up to the individual how fluent they will become, rather than the degree or classes.

Honestly, anyone going to college in Japan who is from the United States in any degree that isn't directly related to Japan... I simply can't understand the reasons. US universities are simply going to be better in almost every case I've seen so far. Now, if your studies are directly related to material for which you need to be in Japan to study, then by all means, go for Japan. However, for computer science I really don't see the need.

For myself, my research is directly related to Japan and Asia; therefore, I aim for study in Japan. However, even during my undergrad study I completed my degree in the US and only used the study abroad programs to go to Japan (which I have found to be the best way to go about it).

"Study in Japan sounding neat so I might as well try to do a BS in Japan." Is not a sensible reason by any degree. That's like saying "Gee, I wonder how a nuclear bomb works... I think I'll learn Russian for 8 years, go to a Russian University build a bomb and set it off, instead of looking it up on Wikipedia or going to a museum."

Ok, maybe not the best example but it sounded better in my head. Actually, maybe that previous sentence best fits your friend's idea after all.

 

[NeWbY]

I'm studying to pass EJU so I can get into a undergraduate course at an Japanese university. My first option is IT - programming (robots etc. if possible). The reason for me is not really to learn any programming (I self-learned it already - doing an IT school now), but rather to get the degree at university level. However the classes will be giving in Japanese, with very little to none english.

You need to have at least JLPT2 to understand little whats going on in the class I'm guessing. If you've never been to Japan and haven't studied Japanese for more than a year, it's going to be very hard to catch up with your level while in Japan. You need to be able to listen to Japanese and understand whats going on.

The best thing would be to first follow an intensive language couse in Japan that prepares you for life and university, and then go to an university. Although the prices for it are rather... expensive.

The university I'm aiming for is tohoku daigaku (can't type japanese on this pc :/), the koubu department.

Also, apart from studying in Japan you should have enough money to support it, as it costs alot aswell.

@Emoni
The reason (read: goal) is to live and work in Japan after getting a degree, which I think has more value to get a Japenese university degree than a foreign university degree (for getting accepted into a Japanese company).
If your goal is simply to get a degree, then I wouldn't suggest it in any way to get one in Japan.

 

[Haruspex]

I couldn't say I am talking from personal experience, because I clearly am not, I've never even seen a Japanese university, but honestly, I do believe that a prestigious university will look good on any curriculum vitae.