Greetings everyone!
I’m in the process of moving to Japan for 6-8 weeks this upcoming summer and would deeply appreciate any guidance you can provide. Here’s some detailed information, initial planning, and queries regarding my journey. I’m thankful in advance for your assistance!
*Trip background and objectives:*
During the recent Christmas break, I had my first visit to Japan, exploring Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo over a span of two weeks. Captivated by the culture and keen to delve deeper, I’ve been dedicating myself to intensive Japanese language study while planning another visit. This summer offers an ideal window of time as I transition from college to graduate school. My aim is to practice as much as possible my language skills, while immersing in the culture and meet new people.
*Lodging plans:*
My intention is to settle in Tokyo, which appears to offer the broadest array of opportunities (with Osaka and Kyoto being easily accessible via bullet train), and to rent an apartment through Airbnb or a similar platform. I prefer a calm neighborhood, either near the city’s heart or close to a subway station, to ensure that I’m about 15-20 minutes away from the downtown area.
*Initial research:*
I’m particularly interested in engaging with activities linked to University campuses. As a college student myself, I feel these environments could offer the chance to connect with peers and international students, potentially making it easier to form friendships. My search among Tokyo’s main Universities (and I assume this applies to other Japanese institutions as well) revealed that most offer credit-earning, full-time programs for exchange students from partner schools. However, I’m seeking less intensive commitments, as I wish to participate in various activities throughout the day.
As an alternative, I’m also thinking about other types of activities (such as Japanese language courses, cooking classes, or sports), not necessarily affiliated with Universities or aimed specifically at people my age. Yet, greatly expanding my research field, this approach makes my research quite overwhelming.
I hope those of you with similar experiences could share insights on what I might expect from this trip and advice on how to fully leverage my time there.
Thanks once more for your recommendations!
by DietCokeCan01