Your relationship with Japan

[Bahamut]

I have lived in Japan for 2 months now. I live in the suberbs of Tokyo and try to go there and other places in Japan at least once a month. I'm doing a lot of work and going to school. That takes up a lot of my time. I know that all of you that are not here now want to come here. I was like that too. I just set a goal to come here and here I am. I highly recomend that if you want to come here then to do what you need to do to at least visit for a week. You don't need to speak Japanese to enjoy it here. I don't speak much Japanese and I still love it here.

 

[howabe]

Haven't had the pleasure of being yet... but am planning to go in the summer after I finish my A Levels for at least a month... assuming I manage to get the money together in time...

 

[Ashen]

In the 10th grade I plan to go to Japan as an exchange student through ASSE . With my grades I can get a scholarship but I have problems that could delay my trip to Japan until college. I'm also taking IB classes which I have to complete all 4 years in order to qualify for the diploma which would allow me to go into college as a sophmore instead freshman! We're not allowed to pick our location in the exchange program otherwise there would be no problem. That means I have to get one of the few schools in Japan that provide the IB program to get one of their students to be a host.So my chances are very slim!

I'm also very scared that I won't perform well in school there , I've read that their schools are much more difficult than American schools.

P.S. I hope all that I wrote made sense.

 

[nguyen]

I am studying at a University in Tokyo at the moment. Nice to meet you!

Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[nguyen]

I think some people here are students, so if you want to go to Japan, you can check if there are any exchange programs between your school and a Japanese school.

I know some students from the US, Korea and HK are studying in Japan through those programs.

 

[Flashjeff]

During the early part of my 20 year career in the U.S. Navy, I was fortunate to have been stationed in Japan in August of 1977 to December of 1978. And I had an absolutely wonderful time there.

The sights, the customs and the people made it an enriching experience. Also, as someone who loves riding trains, the JR East is the gold standard in terms of how well mass transit can work in such as huge metropolis like Tokyo.

In August of 2003, I had the chance to return to Japan for the first time in 25 years (went there to see J-Pop legends Pink Lady), and I fell in love with the country all over again. Just like before, there was so much to see and be in awe of, even during a painfully short eight day stay.

If I get the chance again, I'll definitely return!

 

[cmetom]

Originally posted by Anastasia
i would love to go to japan but my biggest problem/fear is that i don't know how to speak a WORD in japanese. I've also heard a lot about the crime and the gangs and other things and quite honestly japanese people scare me (except for my pen pal she's a sweetie) and going there all by myself with no knowledge of the language and not having anyone to help me scares me even more.....
not to mention i'm starting school soon so i cant exactly travel till i graduate but once school is done japan is the first on my list ^_^ (once i get the guts to go)

add me to the "planning to go at some point".

i'm a person who likes to be prepared, so i'll be learning japanese properly (not just from anime!) before i go. i also have 2 years of university left plus a commitment-laden part-time job. these 'excuses' are only partly "ii wake".

i love the idea put forward in 'megatokyo' that you could just visit and (with a small amount of help) start living there relatively easily.
also, "lost in translation" with bill murray also inspires me, as he got by without knowing any Japanese and even now I know more than his character did!

 

[Flashjeff]

Well, I'm about as fluent in Japanese as I am in Klingon, but I survived my trip to Japan back in August quite well. It certainly didn't hurt to have a Japanese phrase book handy along with a good memory for certain things I wanted to say, but for the most part, I was able to communicate. Fancy that!

Of course, you'll need money, and a substantial amount of it for such an undertaking. My plane fare was $846.00 for a round trip ticket and my hotel room (Shinagawa Prince) was $98.00 a night for a one week stay, but I'm sure cheaper accomodations can be found, and I was able to stuff myself on excellent Japanese fare for not a lot of money.

All in all, it was a great experience. I recommend a trip to Japan highly!

 

[chie]

I have lived in Japan twice. Once 12 years ago for two years. And once last year for a year. I'm also going back this summer for another year. I love Japan. I would like to live there permanently someday.

 

[silver_ash86]

i haven't been to Japan before... i want to though... but dunno when i'll have the chance... hopefully after my A levels this year... then i'll have 6 months break before i start university... that is if i get in...

 

[Gundam X]

Well i've just come back from Japan a few weeks ago and I must say it's probably the best country i've been to.
Their so advance in the techology it's quite amazing.
Later on this year during Christmas I might go again.

 

[Samurai Sicari]

Someday I would love to atleast visit Japan.

 

[Cthulhu]

Student Exchange

@ finding Student Exchange opportunities
I recently went on a 6-week homestay student exchange to Japan through YFU. It was Awesome! I didn't get to choose my location, and I ended up in a small, calm, agro-style town (saijo, Ehime, Shikoku ), btu it was better than I thought it could be! I definitely reccoment looking for exchanges in High School, especially during summers, because they don't interrupt school here. As to above concerns on difficulty, I and even year-stay kids there weren't really expected or pressured to do anything the class did.

I will study Japanese in College soon, and definitely return for a semester/year abroad, perhaps to become a teacher or such later. Going on a short trip made me hunger for more...

 

[E_Motion]

I have never been to Japan yet, but i am planning on going in Spring 2005 (spring because of the sakura). I do have a huge interest in Japan since early childhood, and just started learning Japanese so next year, i can at least have a small conversation with the nihonjin

 

[Cheery Cherry]

I would looooove to go back to Japan. I grew up there. Hopefully someday, my wish will come true.

Cherry

 

[akihabara]

I've been in Japan for nearly 40 years.
And I have lived in Canada for 2 weeks on my honeymoon. (^^;
(I was a Canadian only in the mood.)
Hey! Come on Japan! It's the best place in the world because I was born there.

 

[dreamer]

**is tempted**
hum...gosh i wanna taste every japanese food!!!!
But once again i must wait the end of my studies T_T

 

[kuchi]

Except GEOS, you might try Aeon or even Nova (well Nova hasn't got a good reputation actually, even if it's the largest and most famous of the language schools in Japan). If you apply for a working-hoilday visa, you shoudn't have a job waiting for you when you arrive (that's the rule for this visa). Just get the visa, come and find a job in any smaller language school. Have a look on my site for information on finding a job and accommodation in Japan. http://maciamo.tripod.com/nihonjapanjapon/id7.html

i have been fascinated with japan for over 10 years now...some of my friends consider it a fetish, but as i am a history buff and know a great deal about many cultures i don't consider it a problem (yet ). but i was wondering how this english teaching stint works, im in college and since i plan too go abroad im changing my major from buisness management here in the states too international buisness, but how could i be qualified for a teaching position over there when i only speak english and spanish? and also, is there a certification test? my english is excellent and i have absolutely no doubt i could pass, in fact im not sure they could get me even if they tried, but i certainly do not want to waste a major on english (thinking about sucking it up and dual majoring anyway so one more would not be fun). this question is not just limited too maciamo, any help would be appreciated.


btw the only word i know in japanese is kuchi...and im not even sure its right.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

The Best Time Of My 54 Years Of Life Was...

the 2 years I lived in Japan.It was back in 1970-71 so I'm sure things have really changed! Ilived in Fukuoka
and traveled to many places in Kyushu . I shared a 2 room apartment with 8 to 10 Japanese friends It was kind of a hippy pad with people always moving in & out.
I was engaged to a Japanese girl for a year, but she decided she couldn't stand to leave Japan for Maine.She spoke no English, so I got pretty good with my Japanese.
Now, I'm tied to a house, pets, a wife & job; so I doubt I will ever be able to go back.I have exchange students stay with me for weekends in the summer time
now; to kind of repay how nice people were to me when I
stayed in Japan.

Frank

 

[TKNY]

I'm goin for my first time this summer it's gonna be great!

 

[playaa]

I plan to visit Japan in may, and hopefully live there soon.

 

[XS1001]

I have not been there yet but I plan to go during summer of 2005, it may seem far (and it is) but I only have to wait until I get my first traineeship from university to get all the money I need... damm its long...

 

[RockLee]

This summer..

I've met this girl from Sapporo few weeks ago through MSN....and I'm planning on going to JP this summer when she has vacation ...If I have enough money though....But we really want to meet...I've become addicted to her LOL ....that's my story!

 

[jolan]

Wow lot of interesting story here!
I have been living in Japan for 6 month now, I 'm currently in the mood were you find Japan nice, but as every society and countries on earth, has its advantages and drawbacks. Finally I'm getting used to Japan and really appreciate it now.

 

[dreamer]

I've met this girl from Sapporo few weeks ago through MSN....and I'm planning on going to JP this summer when she has vacation ...If I have enough money though....But we really want to meet...I've become addicted to her LOL ....that's my story!

Just hope you won't be disappointed as it's the case in 70% of internet meetings
Anyway good luck