Alrighty then. I've been here in Japan since September 9th and let me tell you it has not been easy.
First,
one of the hardest things for me was figuring out some basics for
studying abroad. What do I need, what don't I need, what will I miss.
How much money do I need, how should I pack?
GUIDELINES FOR STUDYING ABROAD.
Studying
abroad in any country is not a small matter, as I have found out quite
quickly in my stay here in Japan. First you have to get accepted in a
program or go through your school, but that's the easy part. Next comes
the long list of things to do before you are actually ready to leave.
1. First, plan ahead.
It's important to get all those documents needed as early as
possible. You really don't want to not be able to go because of
something trivial like forgetting to get your visa when getting a visa
takes all but a few days. Make sure all your deadlines are met as soon
as possible to avoid troubles and always doublecheck important things.
2. Get your passport!
Getting a passport has to have one of the longest waiting times and
definitely one of the most frustrating. You have to make sure everything
is right, so take the time to do this as early as possible. If your
lucky, the people at the post office will help you out a bit.
Make
sure you have two of the exact same photographs and make sure they're
the right size. If you wear glasses, like I unfortunately do, you have
to actually tilt them down a bit to make sure there is no glare. My
advice, go get them taken by someone, it's hard as hell getting it done
yourself.
Make sure you have the right amount of money for the
passport. I know from experience that it sucks to get that official
document, expect a new passport, and be given my paperwork saying that
something was wrong. Oh, there are two different documents too. The
under 16 documents, and the over 16 documents.
3. Get all the paperwork needed for your visa.
Depending on your country, this can be different for everyone. I had
to have my passport, my proof of enrollment, and some other paperword
issued by my school. Getting the visa didn't cost a thing though, and
it took two days to get it too! The worst part about getting a visa I
guess is waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I was ready to get my
visa in early July but didn't get the documents until mid August. Talk
about worrying!
4. Make sure you have money to live on, or at least a card that works!!
This was bad for me. My plane was free, but I had to pay for dorms,
and I had no access to funds. Basically, all the money I had equated to
only the dorm fee, and for the first week, with no contact with my
parents, I was starving my butt off eating riceballs every day. At
least they're pretty cheap here! I would try to plan around 2 months
worth of living money, as well as any additional fees you may need to
worry about. My best estimate: if you're not a big spender, around
$3000-4000. Its a lot, I know, but take it from someone who actually
had to suffer without the funds.
In Japan, Mastercard and Visa
works. It would have been good to know huh... The best place to get
money would be the post office, where they have what's known as the
National bank, where my scholarship money will be deposited....
Mastercard only works for charging in stores, the only place you can
withdraw is at the National bank.
5. Get your plane ride early!
Don't wait for a few weeks before the day you have to leave, plane
tickets get expensive! I was just lucky mine was reimbursed back to me.
6. Finally, packing!
Don't bring unnecessary things, usually you're only allowed 2 bags
50lbs each for free. If you don't mind spending more, go right ahead!
Bring clothes, and the bathing necessities for a few weeks while you get
settled. A laptop is a good carry-on, and since you get two, the other
can be a bag that has all your most important documents.
I'm a girl but I chose a backpack over a purse, and I will any normal day too!
Don't
forget that things like photos or some type of doll or connection to
home is not as useless as you may think. I brought my doll with me, and
it really helped me feel a bit more settled in a place I wasn't
comfortable with yet.
7. In the country
I was told over and over not to talk to people who speak English
because they slow down your learning curve. You have someone to fall
back on and talk to instead of pushing yourself to speaking in the
language even when you're uncomfortable. It's true, and I really really
agree with it, however, finding an English speaking person was a
freaking lifesaver here.
My first and second days were
depressing, I cried all the time because I was lonely and home sick, and
speaking to Japanese students definitely did not help me feel better.
Then I found someone who spoke English. It wasn't immediate, but after
speaking to him, I really felt grounded. It made me feel better about
being in a new country. I was about ready to say "screw everything!"
and try to get back home as fast as possible. I didn't though, and I
think it was because I was able to find someone that I could talk to
unhindered.
Now I have a few friends who speak Japanese and a few
who speak English. It's a good balance, and while I know I'm not
learning as fast now that I've made English speaking friends, I am a lot
happier, and I think being happy is worth much more than learning
faster.
Studying abroad is really hard. There are a lot of small
things that you don't realize matter, and they can really get to you.
Don't let it get you down!
