Know-how for students : Education in Japan

Educations
Many students give up the idea of studying in Japan before they start, due to the impression that it's a difficult and costly country to live in. But don't let these fears scare you away! Besides the opportunity to study and live in a dynamic country rich in history and cultural significance, Japan is trying to open its doors even wider, by offering a variety of benefits to promote international exchange and make studying in Japan even more attractive. Through scholarships, the opportunity to work part-time, and with comprehensive medical coverage, Japan shows that international students are more than welcome.

Part-time Work
It is recognized that not all learning takes place in the classroom. Whether you've entered Japan with the status of 'pre-college student' or 'college student', you will be allowed to work part-time to supplement your living expenses and broad- en your learning environment. Those with a 'pre-college' status (students of Japanese language institutes) are able to work up to four hours per day. International students studying at universities on a 'college student' status of residence may work up to 28 hours per week, and up to eight hours per day during vacation periods. This not only provides helpful financial assistance, but also the perfect opportunity to meet more people within the community to gain better language skills and understanding of the culture you're living in.

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What is the Japanese school system like?

The Japanese school system consists of elementary school (six years) which constitutes primary education, junior high (three years) and senior high school (three years) which constitute secondary education. Furthermore, there are graduate schools, universities, junior colleges, special training colleges and technical colleges. Studying in Japan for international students means entering these institutions of higher education. In Japan new students are enrolled in April and graduation is in March (in some schools students enter in October and graduate in September).

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How many international students from abroad are studying in Japan now?

The number of international college students enrolled in institutions of higher education is 117,302 (as of May 2004). Another 35,379 foreigners (pre-college students) are studying Japanese in institutions of Japanese language learning in order to advance to an institution of higher education (as of July 2004).

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What are the requirements for studying in Japan?

For entering institutions of higher education as a rule one has to be over 18 years of age and must have completed 12 years of schooling in one's country or elsewhere. In case one has not studied the full 12 years one is obliged to study at and graduate from a "university preparatory course".

In a vast majority of Japanese institutions of higher education classes are conducted in Japanese (some universities offer classes in English). Therefore, proficiency in Japanese is necessary for studying in the country. Usually foreign students first study Japanese at an institution of Japanese language education (in a period of six months to two years) and then advance further. Those who already possess Japanese language skills may enter institutions of higher education bypassing institutions of Japanese language education. However, standards for evaluating foreign students' Japanese ability differ from one school to another, so please make necessary inquiries.

Japanese language ability is assessed by the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test". Also, there is an exam for selecting students for admission to universities called "Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)".

1) Japanese Language Proficiency Test

"Japanese Language Proficiency Test" is conducted as a means of assessing foreigners' Japanese ability by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services in Japan and by Japan Foundation abroad (in case of Taiwan, by the Interchange Association Japan). The test is held every year in December in all parts of Japan as well as other countries and areas. There are four levels of this test - from one to four.

2) Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)

EJU has been conducted since the 2002 academic year as an exam for the selection of candidates for entrance to universities. At present the exam is conducted by the Japan Students Services Organization. The exam is held twice, in June and November, in all parts of Japan as well as in other countries and areas. The examination subjects are Japanese, Mathematics, Science (students have a choice of two subjects among Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and Japan and the World. Aside from having the necessary educational background, foreign students need to possess sufficient funds, such as scholarship or other means, to cover the costs of studying and living during their stay in Japan.

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How much money do I need for school fees?

The average funds necessary for studying at a Japanese university, junior college or a special training college is outlined below. These are expenses paid in the first year of schooling (annual amount) and they include the entrance, tuition, facility maintenance and other fees. Please bear in mind that the following sums are approximate, and make sure to inquire at the school of your choice about the exact amount of school fees.

(The amounts 1) and 2) are listed according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 3) - a survey by Metropolitan Tokyo Professional Institutions Association and 4)- a survey by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education).

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What kind of status of residence is necessary for studying in Japan?

There are two types of statuses of residence for students in Japan (statuses allowing foreigners to reside in Japan) : "college" and "pre-college".

The holders of "college" status are called "college students" (ryugakusei), and the holders of "pre-college status" are referred to as "pre-college students" (shugakusei). In case one is, when preparing for study in Japan, issued a Certificate of Eligibility by the Immigration Bureau in advance, one may be granted a visa in a short period. Before entering the country student himself or a proxy may apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the local immigration office.

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Scholarships avaialable in Japan

Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project Clearinghouse (ATJ)

Offers scholarships for travel and living expenses for a semester or year for undergraduate students wishing to study in Japan. Japanese language background is not required. Awards range from $2,500 - $4,000, depending on the length of the study program in Japan. Each recipient will be expected to send a brief report about his or her study in Japan to the ATJ office within 60 days of returning from abroad.

Morgan Stanley is also offering through the Bridging Project two $7,500 scholarships. Eligible students include juniors and seniors with an interest in economics and international finance. Contact: Association of Teachers of Japanese, 279 UCB Humanities 240, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0279, or phone 303-492-5487, fax 303-492-5856,

e-mail atj@colorado.edu
http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Institute of International Education (IEE) announced that US undergraduate students receiving federal Pell Grants for college study can apply for assistance under the new Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. The Institute will administer the program through its Southern Regional Office in Houston, under a grant from the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Application are available on the program's website
http://www.iie.org/gilman .
Additional information is available through IIE's Southern Regional Office in Houston by phone at (713) 621-6300 ext. 25, or by e-mail at gilman@iie.org .

The Gilman International Scholarships will provide up to $5,000 for US citizens and US nationals who are undergraduate students are two and four year institutions to pursue overseas study, enabling students who have limited financial means to participate in study abroad opportunities worldwide. Priority consideration for awards will be given to applicants of academic merit who receive Federal Grants under title IV o the Higher Education Act of 1965.

See website for deadlines.

Eligibility for the Gilman International Scholarship Programs is determined using the following criteria:

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia - administered by the Institute of International Education - supported by the Freeman Foundation

This award is designed to encouraged more undergraduate U.S. citizens and permanent residents to study in East and Southeast Asia. Over 1,200 students will receive awards in the amount of $3,000 - $7,000, depending on the length of the study abroad program. Priority is given to students with the most need, and to those with limited prior experience in Asia. Awardees are expected to share their experiences with their home campuses to encourage study abroad in East Asia by others, and to spread greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures within their home communities. Apply online at: www.iie.org/pgms/Freeman-ASIA. Or call 212-984-5542

e-mail: Freeman-ASIA@iie.org for further information.

Japan America Society of Chicago Scholarship Foundation

Eligible to full-time graduate students or undergraduate seniors, enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio or Wisconsin. American citizen. Japanese language competent. Scholarship is to be used to help in researching U.S. - Japan bilateral relations and to help promote cultural understanding. Other restrictions apply. Usual amount is $4,000 for two students.

Contact: Scholarship Foundation, Japan America Society of Chicago, 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone 312-263-3049 or Fax 312-263-6120.
http://www.us-japan.org/jasc/

Monbukagakusho Scholarships

Monbukagakusho (Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, Technology and Culture; Government of Japan) offers four scholarships, the Japanese Studies, the Research, Teacher training and Vocational training scholarships to students who wish to study at Japanese universities. Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying Japanese language and/or culture as their major or minor, and must have a high level of Japanese language proficiency. For application contact: MEXT Scholarships Coordinator, Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan, Suite 1000, 737 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Phone 312-280-0434.

http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jic.html (Chicago area embassy - must apply through your area embassy.

E-mail: jicmext@webkddi.com

Japanese Studies scholarship : This is a highly competitive one-year scholarship for students with a strong knowledge of the Japanese language. Applicants must be US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30, enrolled as undergraduates studying the Japanese language, culture, or a closely related field.. Deadline: Third week of March.

Research, Teacher and Vocational scholarships :see website for details. http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jic.html

Nissho Iwai Foundation Scholarship Program

The Foundation offers a scholarship to foreign student who come to study or do research in Japan. Students must be in 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate study or enrolled in a graduate level program, under 30 years of age, and financing their own education. Contact: Nissho Iwai Foundation, 4-5 Akasaka 2-Chome, Manto-ku, Tokyo 107 JAPAN

NSEP (National Security Education Program) Scholarships available for students studying in Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, Latin and South America and the Middle East. The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community. There is also an expectation that NSEP Boren Scholars will use the language or regional expertise acquired as a result of the award in their work for the U.S. government. Please phone: 800-618-NSEP or 202-326-7697 for application materials. Or visit their web site at: http://www.iie.org/nsep .
E-mail: nsep@iie.org

Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language Honor Society)
Members of this society are eligible for aid. Please contact the local faculty advisor of Phi Sigma Iota or the national office (Hamilton College, Dept. of Foreign Languages, Clinton, NY 13323) for more information.

Robert B. Bailey III Scholarship
Minority scholarships for those of African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American, Asian-American or Arab-American descent. To be used on a CIEE program. Contact Council on International Educational Exchange, 205 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017.
http://www.ciee.org/study/scholarships.aspx

Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Program
Offers three types of scholarships. Applicants must initially apply for scholarships through local Rotary Clubs. Contact: Local Rotary Club or The Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. Phone - 847-866-3000.
http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/

Sakaguchi International Scholarship Foundation
Scholarship applicants must return to their home country after scholarship ends. Students must be in their 3rd or 4th year of study, and must be under 30. Students must study at one of the Universities or graduate schools specified by the foundation. Contact: Sakaguchi Electric Heaters Co., Ltd, 1-12-2, Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
The Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate study, with reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount). Fellows must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies at one of the graduate schools participating in the program. Participating graduate schools provide financial support in the second year of graduate study based on need. Fellows meet annually in Washington, D.C., for a program orientation. Fellowships are for students intending to pursue a career in the Foreign Service. Eligibility: US citizen, completed sophomore year, with an overall GPA of 3.2. Preference is given to minority students. Contact: The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Dept. of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, Box 2437, Princeton, NJ 08543-2437, phone 609-452-7007, e-mail: fafadmm@woodrow.org
http://www.woodrow.org/public-policy/undergraduate.php

Youth Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships can be used for an undergraduates' Junior Year Abroad. Selection is based on character, need, scholastic achievement, objective, motivation, potential for leadership, and good citizenship. Contact: Youth Foundation, Inc., 36 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036.

WWC (Washington Women's Committee)
Offering a scholarship for study at International Christian University or for another University in Japan. Contact: Scholarship Committee, WWC, Post office Box 8158, Springfield, VA 22151.

Internships/Jobs

AET Program - (Assistant English Teaching /Teaching English in Japan Program) sponsored by Earlham College, offers participants an opportunity to serve in a Japanese community as an Assistant English Teacher, promoting international understanding and supporting English language instruction in Japanese schools. Well-qualified college graduates are nominated for two-year assignments to work in schools. In most cases, they do community work outside of the schools. Application is open to any B.A,/B.S. graduated of a four-year college, and be a native speaker of English. Contact: Institute for Education on Japan, c/o Earlham College, 801 National Road West, D-202, Richmond, IN 47374. Phone 888-685-2726.

http://www.earlham.edu/~aet

AISEC-US (French acronym for The International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce). A worldwide association that offers short and long term internships for students at universities and colleges with AISEC chapters. Contact: AISEC-US, 135 West 50th St., 20th Floor, New York, NY 10020. Phone 212-757-3774.

ACK (American Committee for KEEP (Kiyosato-Educational-Experiment-Project) Each year ACK recruits an American college student with Japanese language skills for a position offered by KEEP in Yamanashi, Japan. The Brian Kane Fellowship, a one-year contractual, paid position (with the possibility of renewal), consists of two main duties: teaching English to junior high school students and adults and working in the International Relations Department at KEEP. Contact: ACK, Inc., 825 Green Bay Rd., Suite 122, Wilmette, IL 60091, Phone 708-853-2500. Fax 708-853-8901.

ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation Student-Faculty Fellowships
The program provides up to $5,000 for each faculty member and up to $5,000 for each student. The student researcher and the faculty mentor both will go to Asia to explore a common scholarly interest and share a cultural experience. The primary aim of this program is to support student research in Asia under close supervision of a faculty mentor. It seeks to promote the academic and professional development of the paired student and faculty with the expectation that they will share their findings and experiences with their campus community and with ASIANetwork. Contact: Kalamazoo College, ASIANetwork Freeman Programs Director. Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49006. Phone: 616-337-7325.

CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). 800-40-STUDY. Has 2-4 week programs in 22 countries. 205 East 42nd Street, New York, 10017.

Cooperative Grants Program - COOP - of NAFSA
Mini-grants of $100-$1000 made to institutions and organizations to help fund innovative projects that help U.S. post-secondary students participating in education abroad programs prepare for their time abroad or for projects related to the cultural adjustment of international students and scholars in the U.S. Contact: Elizabeth Smiltneek, Coordinator of Student/Community Linkage Programs, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 1307 New York Ave., NW, Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20005-4701, Phone: 202-737-3699, ext. 252, Fax: 202-737-3657 E-mail: elizabeths@nafsa.org
http://www.nafsa.org

IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) .
Paid internship abroad for 8-12 weeks in the summer. Positions in industry, research institutes and universities, labs, etc. Age from 19-30. Contact: IAESTE/U.S., 10400 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite 250, Columbia, MD 21044-3510. Phone 410-997-3068. Fax 410-992-3924.

International Internship Programs - Japanese Teaching Assistant Program for Higher Education
International Internship Programs (IIP) was established in 1979 and has placed over 6,500 teaching assistants or interns in schools, colleges, universities and businesses throughout the world. IIP's Japanese Teaching Assistant Program for Higher Education (JTAPHE) provides a unique opportunity for your institution to establish a Japanese language program or enhance an existing one. At little or no cost, we will send a well-trained intern to serve as a teaching assistant.

For more information, please contact: JTAPHE International Internship Programs, 2-22-21 Nishikata, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8419JAPAN. Phone: 81-3-3812-0373 Fax: 81-3-3818-4481 e-mail: inqcolle@internship.or.jp
http://www.internpro.com

Japan Foundation - The Japan Foundation Grant Programs several grants available in Japanese Studies Programs and Arts-Related Programs, such as a Study-in Japan grant, a Publication Assistance Grant, etc. Contact for more information: The Japan Foundation 145 East 32nd Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10016 212-481-8753 (tel) 212-481-8762 (fax)
E-mail: info@us-jf.org http://www.us-jf.org/

JASI (Japan-America Society of Indiana) Offering numerous positions in connection with a statewide guidebook and directory of Indiana. Contact: JASI, 11 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Barnes and Thornburg Building, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Phone: 317-635-0123 Fax: 317-635-1452.

JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program)
One year placements as an Assistant Language Teacher or Coordinator for International Relations. Contact: Embassy of Japan, Office of the JET Program, 2520 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20008. Phone: 202-939-6772 or 202-939-6773.

Nambu Foundation Summer Internship Program
Summer employment in Japanese corporations. Recipients will be employed by a Japanese company for two months, approximately June - August. Airfare, monthly stipend, free accommodations, paid travel within Japan. Contact: The Nambu Foundation, Summer Internship Program, 712 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10019

Peace Corps
800-424-8580

Rotary University Teachers Grant provides a flat rate of $10,000 for 3-5 mths of service or $20,000 for 6-10 mths. of service while teaching in a low-income country. Also offers a World Peace Scholarship which provides the opportunity to study in a two-year master's degree program. Contact: Local Rotary Club or The Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. Phone - 847-866-3000
Fax - 847-328-8554
scholarshipinquiries@rotaryintl.org
Web: www.rotary.org

Service Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 480065, Denver, CO 80248, 303-892-5743. Research and service projects in Central Asia and Russia.

United Nations Volunteer Program (headquarters NYC)
Other/Institutional Opportunities

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