Hello, I’m wondering if people think it would be feasible for me to move to Japan on a student visa, study for two years, and reach a high enough level to apply to and be accepted to a Japanese university program. My background is an American with a high school degree and 3 semesters of college. My Japanese level rn is basically zero, I would try to reach n5ish by the time I moved. I do understand that the common sentiment is it’s much better for most foreigners to earn a degree in their home country because Japanese degrees are not very valuable outside of Japan, and taking university classes in Japanese is very difficult without a high level of language ability. Despite this, I’m still interested in Japanese university.
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**Language school and then university**
Hello, I’m wondering if people think it would be feasible for me to move to Japan on a student visa, study for two years, and reach a high enough level to apply to and be accepted to a Japanese university program. My background is an American with a high school degree and 3 semesters of college. My Japanese level rn is basically zero, I would try to reach n5ish by the time I moved. I do understand that the common sentiment is it’s much better for most foreigners to earn a degree in their home country because Japanese degrees are not very valuable outside of Japan, and taking university classes in Japanese is very difficult without a high level of language ability. Despite this, I’m still interested in Japanese university.
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There are language schools with specific tracks for people in your situation — i.e. those who want to learn Japanese in order to attend a university. So yes, it’s feasible. It is a very intense track as there is a **lot** to learn. You will have to spend 3-4 hours per day studying, if not more.. actually as a beginner, you will most definitely need more. And because of the intensity and short duration of the language student visa, you are almost always required to show or explain your ability to comprehend at least JLPT N5 level of Japanese in order to be accepted to the school. This could be from a JLPT (or similar) exam result, or sometimes a written explanation of the methods you used to study, where you studied (if not independently), how much you can understand.
It’s possible, but it will be difficult. You should start studying now if you plan to make it into the next enrollment period. Don’t be discouraged by my warnings though. Plenty of people from various countries have done the same. Japanese language learning is like a rollercoaster. It is difficult to start, feels like you aren’t progressing.. then you will notice you are improving a lot. Then again feels like you are slowing.. etc…
As for the practicality of a Japanese degree.. make of it what you will. You didn’t say what you’re studying, so it’s hard to say how job hunting will be. You also didn’t say if you plan to stay in Japan after college, but it would be kinda crazy not to if you’re going this route.
In my completely honest opinion, it would be better for you to enroll at a university in your own country, and do a study abroad program through your university.. you could learn Japanese (N5-N4) at your university, then you could do an exchange program to see how life is in Japan, and then decide for yourself which route you want to take.