I am a 12th grade student who in a few months will start applying to universities. As the title suggests, I am from the Philippines. I have always wanted to study in Japan in some way, and after a failed attempt at applying for high school exchange, I want to try my luck in Japanese unis. In fact, I’ve been eyeing Sophia U’s Green Science, Tsukuba’s Biology and Osaka U’s Human Science program. I have been seeing posts and comments discouraging studying in Japan, but the only reasons behind this that I have seen is that the diploma is apparently ‘useless’ or that students that do study in Japan (undergrad) have a hard time getting jobs in the US (I have not found any supporting data on this tho). I also want to look into this belief because it will potentially impact my life, however I don’t think I fit into the category mentioned in the common reasonings; I have no current plans to work in the US after graduating. I would like to ask about whether or not an education in Japan is worth it knowing the context of my situation and plans, as well as my genuine desire to study and live in Japan. Aside from Japan, I also have plans to apply to some unis in Australia, US and Canada however, pursuing my education in these countries is quite a stretch financially especially since I am from a middle-class family in a third-world country. (I know I could stay in my country and save money, but if you are aware of current news in the Philippines, I doubt that would sound like a desirable prospect). My desire to live in these countries also aren’t as deep as my desire to live in Japan. After computing my finances for studying in Japan, I found it quite manageable and I also heard scholarships are quite common there. My parents, father especially, are very supportive of studying in Japan as it is closer to our country and they are quite worried about racially motivated occurrences in the west. For my current plans after graduating, I aim to either work in a bio pharmaceutical company outside of the US and Philippines OR pursue med school. Knowing these, should I pursue an undergraduate degree in Japan? Please share your thoughts on this in relation to the idea that ‘Japanese diplomas are useless’.
2 comments
I was in the same boat in highschool. I got accepted into University of Waterloo in Canada and they have a good co-op program (which is basically working while studying). I accepted it immediately and my father encouraged I do. Although later I found out I got into Temple Univ in Japan as well. I was really upset I didn’t wait it out to accept the Temple Univ one. I really want to live in Japan. It’s a big dream for me. I realized that I could live in Japan and not enjoy it, it’s a possibility. Job opportunities in Canada are significantly better for foreigners. So I’m not too disappointed by the decision I took then. You are young and there’s plenty opportunities for you to move to Japan do not ground your option to just Japan because if international students in Japan are claiming Japanese degrees are not beneficial internationally I don’t see any reason they would lie about it. Secure a degree that’s beneficial worldwide and then make your plans. I hope this helps I’m more than happy to chat with you if you’d like because I’m right now planning on ways to find how to live in Japan. I am currently studying and working in Canada. I am an intentional student here 🙂
On an added note: Study Japanese. If you don’t know Japanese well life can get a little tricky there
You have probably done your research and know that bringing someone close to you to Japan is also hard. So consider everything before you make the move to Japan.
Most of the people we advise to go to school in their home countries live in places with better schools than Japan. On top of that the English language curriculum version in Japanese schools isn’t as good as the Japanese language version. They can get a degree that’s better taught and help them get experience in their country that makes them attractive candidates for employment in Japan later.
In your case, not to be disparaging, but the Philippines isn’t one of those countries. Japanese University is okay, but the one big thing to consider is that if your degree is taught in English you’re starting out in a hole. Your classmates are other foreigners, so networking is difficult, not to mention that there’s lots of technical terminology for your field that you won’t be learning the Japanese for. You’ll have to work extra hard to play catch up if you go this route.
Regarding schools and scholarships: those schools you listed are very good, but scholarships are not that common. Look into the MEXT program and also search for scholarships from JASSO
One other thing, you mentioned medical school, you need to look into that. Medical school in Japan is different from other countries. It’s a 6 year program starting from undergrad, not a two year add on after you finish a different degree.