Should I attend university in Japan?

Background: I’m an American high school student interested in pursuing a career relating to biology or chemistry, something with the natural sciences. I’ve been learning Japanese for 2 to 3 years now and would like to live and work in Japan in the future, so I think the best way to prepare myself for a career in the sciences (and life in general) in Japan would be to attend university in Japan.

From some research online for the past year or so, I’ve found out about Kyoto University’s iUP. It’s a program where I would take a preparatory Japanese language course for 6 months, then be admitted as a regular Kyoto U student for the next 4 years. I would continue to take intensive language classes and take liberal arts courses in Japanese and English for the next one or two years, then take classes concerning my major in mostly or completely Japanese for the last few years and earn a bachelor of science degree in my major (likely biology). It’s very selective and only accepts 1 or 2 students per department. I’ve spoken to a current student in the program and while it seems difficult, it doesn’t look impossible and I think I can rise to the occasion given my very good academic history.

I’ve made a pros and cons list below, and I would greatly appreciate if anyone with experience studying/living in Japan could give me some advice, especially if you’ve studied in this program. I’d really like for this to work out but if my viewpoint is too unrealistic or romanticized then I want to be able to see it objectively and make a decision. I’d also like to know about anyone’s experience with social life as an exchange/foreign student in Japan.

**Pros of studying in Japan:**

* Being able to communicate scientific concepts clearly in Japanese is necessary for employment
* Even if I don’t want to continue living in Japan, I’ve still gained skills like speaking Japanese in a professional setting which can be used in other countries
* Kyoto U is very highly ranked nationally and globally, meaning I would receive a high quality education
* Avoiding high tuition costs and student loans
* Scholarships given to academically excelling students (which I could qualify for)

**Cons of studying in Japan:**

* It will be difficult to pick up the language while learning new material
* I can’t switch my major
* It would take some time to transfer back to the USA if I hated it

**Pros of living in Japan:**

* Excellent public transportation, which I value much more than car culture
* Healthcare is affordable
* Rent ranges from very low to comparable to major cities in the USA, depending on the area.
* Culture of working together rather than individuality, e.g. COVID (which also has its drawbacks)

**Cons of living in Japan:**

* Far away from family
* Adapting to a new language can take a long time and be isolating (though I’ll have a pretty high level by the time I arrive)
* I’ll likely have a disadvantage applying to jobs, unless my Japanese level is adequate enough to give me an advantage.
* Bias against foreigners

2 comments
  1. Kyoto is a good school if you’re studying in Japanese, and all in all that’s not a bad plan. Your pros and cons list reads like someone who only knows the country though western media portrayals of it, but that’s to be expected of someone with no experience of living here.

    If you can get in then I’d say do it, but if you don’t get in then go to school in the states. Community college for your gen eds and then state school for biology isn’t that much more expensive than Kyoto and there are several state schools ranked higher than Kyodai

  2. I’m currently studying and doing research at a university in Japan. Your plan seems doable, but i cannot stress enough that your language skills need to be incredibly good. If you do not understand some of the things said in lectures, it will make everything a lot harder than it already is. N2 isn’t gonna cut it. The kanji and vocab at uni are NOT everyday things, so you will encounter a lot of things that are not in any textbooks or Anki decks.

    I don’t want to scare you off of the idea, but consider going to a language school for a few months during the holidays or something. Living on your own for the first time, especially in another country, is gonna be a big change for you. Don’t underestimate it. Classes will be DIFFICULT, on a level you haven’t had before, and that in a foreign language.

    If you want it, go for it, it is a great plan and an awesome idea. If you manage to pull it off, it is a great story and great for your resume. I love it here! But please be realistic.

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