Study in Japan

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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. 

Scholarships 

A doctoral student from Brazil recently confided that while trying to decide which country to study in America, France or Japan - he decided on Japan because it offered scholarships that were not available in the other two countries. Economic assistance is available to international students in the form of both scholarship and tuition fee reductions. While some of these scholarships must be applied for outside of Japan, there are also a number of scholarships available after you arrive. These include Japanese national and local government scholarships, honors scholarships, Japanese private foundation scholarships, and educational institution scholarships. A survey conducted by the Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) in 1999 indicated 63.4% of privately-financed international students are on scholarships. In addition, the Ministry of Education offers up to 30% reduction in tuition fees at both national and private universities, junior colleges and graduate schools. AIEJ has more details, as well as a list of scholarship-paying institutions on their website: www.aiej.or.jp. 

Medical lnsurance 

Medical care in japan can be quite expensive. However, international students are able to keep costs to a minimum, due to the programs that exist with them specifically in mind. By law, all students staying in Japan for one year or more must enroll in the National Health Insurance system. Premiums vary depending on the area in which the students live. Also, those without a source of income while in Japan usually pay a reduced premium. The National Health Insurance covers 70-80% of expenses and for international students, AIEJ picks up an additional percentage of the cost, leaving the students to pay only 4-6%..of the total. In order for international students to be fully covered, one institution in Japan, Asia University, has a further insurance plan that will cover the remaining fee, making it virtually 100% coverage on all medical costs.

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. 

Extensive Academic Resources 

Whether you're a research student, undergraduate or Japanese language student, anyone can take advantage of the national library resource sharing system in place nationwide. Within a day or two you can receive the information or book you need from any of  the many higher education institutions across Japan. This literally allows you access to millions of publications available throughout the country.  Certainly deciding on the country you want to study in is a challenge, but don't let your (mis)perception about studying in Japan disregard it as a choice. By researching more about a place, you  begin to find that more merits exist than you initially recognized. Japan is one of those places where you are rewarded on a continual basis with wonderful opportunities that make your experience studying abroad unique.

With thanks to:

Mary Fidler 

Office of International Affairs 

Asia University

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