Studying Abroad

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!