Working to afford studying

[Hackysack]

Hi everyone!
So I've always wanted to live and work in Japan for various reasons (none of which I'll bore you with) but I'm kinda lost on my plans to get over there and work.
My original plan was to finish my degree (Bachelor of Health Sciences), go there and teach English in order to save up money and to become fluent enought to enter a Japanese University. My obvious problem here is affording University and living expenses during those years.
I figure that I will need to pay for at least 6 - 12 months of language instruction in the Japan, not to mention University fees etc.
Postgraduate study in a health science field is my main focus.
I'm pretty much set on going to Japan to live and work, but I don't want my occupation to forever be a language teacher as I want to break into the fields of clinical research etc
I have three years remaining in my degree (so three years until I can actually go to japan to work on a visa), and I am also studying a Diploma in Japanese Laguage which should put me at approximately JLPT level 2 when complete.
Does anyone have any advice on this matter for me? Any contributions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[bigcomfy]

Look into the Monbukagakusho Scholarship program, specifically for Research Studnets, which will allow you to study Japanese and do research for one year and then pursue your Graduate studies if successfully passing the entrance exam for your desired school. Search the JASSO website for details. Also search this forum, a significant number of people here are either past/present recipients or those trying to get one. If you work hard and are fortunate enough to get one, that will effectively take care of all the issues you raised.

 

[Hackysack]

Ok, so I've had a look into the Monbukagakusho Scholarship program, looks like a fantastic opportunity. I'll definitely have a go at that one.
If however I'm unable to succeed in getting this scholarship (with three years preparation I'll be very annoyed if I don't), I'm still wondering if my original plan would be at all feasible...?

 

[Glenski]

Can I ask why you want a health science degree from a Japanese university? I mean, you haven't even set foot in Japan, learned what culture here is like firsthand, learned what work is like here (let alone the insane medical world), or done any clinical research in your own country/language.

Come as a tourist first. You have no idea what you are getting into at this point. At most, come for some studying and do some PT work, but don't put the cart before the horse.

 

[Hackysack]

I can understand your viewpoint there Glenski, however I have actually already spent a considerable amount of time in Japan. I've been there twice as a tourist and spent 3 months in the school system, so I've got a pretty good idea of what its like and suffice it to say I fell in love with the place.
I want a science degree as it would make it far easier for me to get a job in Japan as one over here would, and in addition it would go a long way to ensuring my fluency in the language, which is something I've always wanted and I don't believe you can obtain such fluency without doing something like this. I understand that this seems very ambitious but I AM an ambitious person
I have friends from other countries in my University that have done pretty much just what I want to do (aside from paying their own way), and absolutely love it because they are where they want to be (I had a German girlfriend for example who now speaks better english than I do lol). I also have a number of friends in University and in the workforce in Japan so I have a few resources there.

But as I said before, I can understand where your concern comes from Glenski.

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom."