the study abroad life in japan
DESCRIPTION
Every year the number of international students in Japan is increasing, mostly thanks to an active government policy to host 300,000 foreign students in Japan by 2020. This class will prepare you with information and cultural insight to pursue study abroad in Japan!TRANSCRIPT
The Study Abroad Life in Japan
C.Holbrook Katsucon 2/14/2014
What programs are there?
QUESTIONS
How would I pay?
Is there financial aid?
I don’t speak Japanese.What if I make a cultural blunder?
What if I get homesick?
Can I stay longer than a few months?
I want to study short-term.
When can I go?
High School? College?
What are the requirements?
Everyone faces these questions.
Ask!
School. Advisors. Parents. Forums. Blogs. Programs.
GAIJINOr ‘gaikokujin’, literally meaning “foreign country person”.
Commonly shortened to “outside person” or outsider.
What do I do?
3 Types of Foreign Students
(in Japan)
1.Fully Immersed
2.True ‘Gaijin’
3.Cluster Student
Feeling like an Outsider
OTHERNESS
History of rigorous isolation policies
Homogeneous culture
Cross- Cultural Communications
Interacting with other cultures!
Developing Self Awareness
Deep Beliefs and Basic Assumptions
Values, Opinions, Judgments
Actions and Behavior
Culture shapes how you behave and how you perceive the world.
What stereotypes are there about Japan?
These are perceptions or even misperceptions?
Where did we learn them?
What are some good things to learn about Japan before study abroad?
1. CULTURE• Geography, history, religion, economy, class structure, education• Beliefs, values, ethics• Language, communication (verbal and non-verbal), social behavior
2. Specs of Study Abroad• Eligibility, age/education level• Schools, study abroad programs• Funding, scholarships• Language requirements (Japanese or English)• Transportation, tourism• What to bring, pre-departure preparation
CULTURE
Nine Factors of Culture:• Religion• Language• Education• Economics• Politics• Family• Class structure• History• Geography
Variables of Culture:• Environment• Time• Action • Communication• Space• Power• Personal Behavior• Social Behavior• Structure• Thinking
Create & Reinforce Group Culture Creates Diversity Between Cultures
JAPAN
Geography• Slightly smaller than California• 4 major islands • 4,000 smaller islands• 47 prefectures• Natural disasters: tsunami, floods, earthquakes
CLIMATE• Varies from subarctic to subtropics• Region seasonal variation
Winter:• Central & Northern Japan snow• Southern Japan warm
Rainey season in June with hot, humid weather in July.
Japan Facts + Society
Key Values in Japanese Society
• Harmony and cooperation are taught at early age• Complex dynamics of etiquette and politeness • Public behavior includes not being brash, abrasive, overly direct, or
causing embarrassment• Non-verbal communication must be interpreted• Conscious of social hierarchy to build relationships
Founding of Japan (before 710)• Amaterasu, sun goddess sent ancestor to Kyushu• Unified court in Nara• Shintoism: nature, ancestors, ancient/national legends• 6th-7th centuries: Buddhism and Confucianism political reform
Nara Period (710-784)• Permanent court and capital in Nara• Buddhism and government flourished• Painting, sculpture, lacquerware• Imperial family emerged
Heian Period (794-1185)
• Moved capital to Kyoto • Poetry and literature Tale of Genji• Aristocrats, wars, clans
HISTORY
Kamakura Period (1185-1333)• Genji clan victorious samurai, bakufu, shogun
Muromachi + Momoyama Periods (1336-1598)• New shogun with Daimyo (Lords)• Extravagant life and architecture• Civil wars and class struggle
Edo Period (1603-1868)• Tokugawa and new Bakufu (government)• Isolation policies• Farmers, artisans, merchants, and samurai• Writing and literacy
Meiji Period (1868-1912)• Open Doors, Westernization• Nationalism, Tokyo capital
Daily Life + Holidays
Transportation
Buying a Pasmo or Suica pass!• Works on buses & trains• Reloadable
Shoes Slippers
Summer Festivals
Etiquette
Train Manners:• Not loud• Not taking up too much space• Try to stand• Avoiding confrontations
Bowing/Greeting:• Degrees of bowing
PRACTICE!!
Bathing MannersRead signs! Some places don’t allow tattoos
Where do you rest your chopsticks?
Communication+ Social Behavior
High Context vs. Low Context
Japan
Many things left unsaid
May have to interpret word choice or actions
Indirect
Formal
Collectivistic
U.S.
More explicit communication
More openly expressive
Direct
Informal
Individualistic
Uchi + Soto
In Grouphumbled
Out Group honored
Honne + Tatemae
True Feelings
Facade
Tatemae Elements
Personal dignity
Non-confrontational
Not saying “no” (indirect rejection)
No open criticism, singling out, or insulting
Reserved, inwards actions
Non-Verbal Communication
OK No Good
Non-Verbal Communication • Facial expression• Gestures• Tone of voice• Posture
Counting with fingers! How do you do it?
Building Relationships
• Social hierarchy from Confucianism influence
• Very conscious of age & status
Let’s list some relationships! Senpai/Kouhai
Starting out: • Respectful of privacy don’t dig
for information• Punctuality
TOMODACHI
大丈夫!! It’s OK!
It’s difficult to know every detail about culture/society.
Mistakes are allowed, just be very respectful.
People will try to help you, but may be embarrassed. They don’t have a full understanding of your culture either or may not speak English well.
Cross-Cultural Encounter EXERCISE
. Specs of Study Abroad• Transportation, tourism• What to bring, pre-departure preparation
Justin has begun to settle into his new university in Japan, although he still encounters confusing or frustrating incidents.
On Mondays Justin was always very busy. He had classes all day and hardly had any time for lunch. One day he showed up at his seminar class a couple minutes before it started and told one of his classmates, Takako, that he was really busy all morning and didn't have time for lunch. Takako replied that she herself was also hungry. The professor came into the classroom. Justin opened his backpack and took out a small bag of potato chips offering them to Takako. She quietly whispered ‘thank you’, and refused the food. Justin then started eating them in class. Takako was very surprised and embarrassed, while others looked on in bewilderment.
Specifications of Study Abroad
Ready to go?
Are You Eligible?
Find a program that caters to your education level
High school, undergraduate, graduate, advanced degree!
Your school can help you find the right program!
Language Requirements
Check if there is a language requirement for the program
May need specific Japanese or English level
Other requirements• Essay writing• Volunteering• Extracurricular
How do I find a study abroad program??
Places to Start Looking
Japanese Organizations
Ask Your School
Student Resources for Study Abroad
JASSOJapan Study Support
Study in JapanGlobal 30
The Japan TimesGateway to Study in
JapanMEXT
Japan Society (NY)US-Japan Council
The Japan-America SocietyThe Japan Foundation
US-Japan Research Institute Study Abroad PartnersExchange Programs
Points to Consider when Choosing Universities
1. Contents of curriculum and lectures2. Degree or non-degree program3. Research facilities4. International student support
system5. Accommodation6. Exams for admission7. School fees +8. Scholarship and financial aid9. Local environment
Admissions Timeline
April-June
July-October
November-January
January-March
April
Plan, gather info, request info
Select school & apply
EJU application: Examination for Japanese University Admission for
International Students (if necessary)
Take EJU exam
Immigration procedures
Flight reservation
Preparations
Admission Procedures
Admission into institution
Funding
Japanese Govt Scholarhsips (Monbukagakusho, MEXT)
JASSO Scholarships
Scholarships by Local Govt & Local International Associations
Scholarships by Private Foundations
Scholarships for International Students Living Abroad
Pre-Departure Preparations
• Plan your transportation• Know the areas you will spend
time in• Find interesting facts, events, or
tourism spots to visit• What’s the weather like?• Are there products or medicines
you need to bring with you?• Plan you expenses• Make the most of your time
abroad!
It’s a good time to go!
Asian Gateway Initiative (2008) – high quality foreign student selection
Global 30 Initiative – 300K foreign students by 2020 (30 international schools)Companies recruit/hire overseas
• Promoting STEM• Government funding to 100
universities to develop English programs
How can you further prepare?
Look for volunteer opportunities with local organizations
Take language classes or cultural workshops
Read books on culture
Read Japanese news articles
QUESTIONS?