Guide to Studying in Japan
The Essential Guide to Studying abroad is an informative and inspiring book that answers virtually every possible concern you may have regarding studying abroad. It’s the perfect “Lonely Planet” companion for your worldwide journey. From its opening sentence, “If you have a desire to study abroad, then it is time to take off for your voyage of discovery.”
This e-book is jam packed with research and personal experiences from thousands of former international students who, in today’s world, are deeply considering a university degree as an adult. “If you have a desire to study abroad, then it’s time to take off for your voyage of discovery.” This book is strongly recommend as a companion to anyone who wants to make studying in another country their top priority, whether as a high school student, college student, or someone who just wants to experience a different culture. It’s a must read for anyone serious about going to the next level in education.
Dr. Johnson defines a dhow as “a sailing vessel with a crew of twelve persons.” In reference to this definition, the Essential Guide to Studying in Japan is helpful in showing us what exactly a dhow is and how it can help us achieve our goals while studying abroad in Japan. Dr. Johnson goes into the history of the word, describes how people use boats to travel over seas, gives tips for budgeting and preparing for an international trip, and includes interesting facts about some of the most famous universities in the world. Even if we never take advantage of the information found in the book, like many students we probably have some questions about how our life can change for the better when we choose to study abroad in Japan or any other country.
The authors also offer practical tips to prepare us students for our experience abroad. Some of the practical advice is useful such as, keep your CV current, keep your expectations realistic, and check which job titles will allow you to start working immediately upon completion of your studies. However, most of the practical advice is more applicable to students studying online. The authors do an excellent job of describing the culture of Japan and provide tips on how to interact with native Japanese people. Also, there is an interesting article on using the English language effectively. One thing that is often overlooked is actually using an English -learning program to help facilitate communication with the Japanese locals.
Studying in Japan will allow students to experience a completely new culture but it will not be possible for all students to simply immerse themselves completely in that culture. In addition, while studying in Japan, students must also experience a certain amount of ritual associated with their Japanese counterparts. This ritual includes studying for a test, going to class on time, taking breaks, and eating dinner. Although there are some aspects of these rituals that will certainly stay with a person, for the most part they have to adapt to the very specific lifestyle of Japan. Students must learn how to fit in with their classmates and what rules and traditions to follow.
Students who wish to immerse themselves completely in a Japanese-speaking culture should consider going to graduate school in Japan. If this is not a possibility, students may still enjoy a great deal of educational opportunities. In the midwest, for example, there are colleges that cater to international students and there are many universities that offer programs in Asia. Even though attendance at a college may be required of students, the opportunities that can be experienced while attending school abroad are immeasurable. Students may experience cultural exchange, access to an increasingly diverse and rich global community, and the chance to participate in cutting edge research and studies. Midwest universities and colleges are very attractive to international students and they will soon find out why.