Searching for Schools in Japan – Happy Ending! (Part 2/2)

More than 1 year ago I wrote a page about the problems I encountered while trying to go to Japan as a student. I am happy to say that I might have found the cheapest and most efficient way to go to an elite Grad. School in Japan for 1 year : exchange programs.

The only country, that I know of, that have more expensive college fees than Japan is the USA. so the following method might not apply to Americans. Follow the step I am going to list here :

1. Check all the websites of the Univ. you are interested in and try to find the dept. of International relations or equivalent sections in the websites.
2. You should find a list of foreign universities that have students/searchers/teachers exchanges agreements or are in exchange programs with the school.
3. Select schools you can transfer to and that have lower college fees (I recommend French universities as the level of teaching is quite high and the fees are really low … I paid 450$ for 1 year in Master’s degree in Computer Science). If you are lucky your school is already in such agreements (if so jump to step 5).
4. meet conditions for transfer while checking that once transferred there you’ll meet the conditions for the exchange program (for example : if you are a soon to be undergraduate  and the exchange is for post doctorate it’s useless … or if you have scores that are too low in some cases); then apply for Transfer.
5. It’s likely that once transferred you’ll have to spend at least 1 year or a semester in the school while your application for the exchange program is reviewed. Generally for Japan it’s : January, deadlines for pre-application/screening at your school; March, official application to Japanese school (sometimes this is automatic acceptance after your school gives agreement); April/May, results for JASSO or other scholarships; July, reception of all the paperwork for Visa, dorm rooms and your study program; Sept/October, arrival in Japan.
6. While spending the year waiting : always try to please your teachers and be friendly with people in the administration that might help you get recommendations. Have good grades in all your exams.
7. Pass your TOEIC or TOEFL (mandatory 99% of the time if you are not from an english speaking country) and take some Japanese language lessons if you have time (that might give you an edge over other candidates).

My solution consisted to finish my undergraduate degree in Italy and sign for a Master in France (Strasbourg). There I applied for YSEP and P8 (multi public college programs … with Todai, Kyodai, Osakadai, …) I got accepted in both and I chose YSEP (which is 100% research … while P8 was just cultural exchange … so I preferred not loosing credits and time in my studies).
If you are into some “humanitarian” field (like literature, languages, history, sociology, …) I recommend P8; if, like me, you are a scientist, try to catch YSEP (only tokyo tech and significantly less seats).

If you have questions feel free to ask them here in the comments.

bye.