Finally moving to Okinawa! Permanent residency got accepted. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. My little brother will be moving with me and my wife back to oki. I’m curious if anyone has any recommendations for schools! He is 6’5, 220lbs and plays basketball he is 16. We have looked at Zion Christian academy for school and sports. Seems like a descent private school and offers a religious foundation. I am a veteran, but I won’t be taking a government job. Can’t have sofa and permanent residence from my understanding of it.
by Dizzy_Injury4497
11 comments
I suppose your little brother doesn’t speak Japanese, so you are limited to private international schools. Okinawa Christian School International is also an option, with a good pathway to American Universities academically. If your brother is any good at basketball, there are a few Japanese schools he would dominate at if he is actually good based on his size, but that would take work on his and everyone else’s part.
I understand this is off topic but, just curious, how long of his many attempts did it take for you to get PR? I’m looking into applying for it myself.
Once you’re here, look at the SOFA thing again. There is quite a large number of SOFA guys married to Japanese citizens. From what I’m told, the benefit of being SOFA is better than being an equivalent green card holder. For example, as a legal res, you can expect to pay a couple thousand dollars for your driver’s license for each driver. SOFA, nothing. You can be SOFA and your spouse doesn’t have to be.
Wow. Congratulations! I’ve heard so many horror stories about applying and getting rejected multiple times so I’m a bit apprehensive.
I attended OCS when I lived on Okinawa as a civilian, non-military. They’re now [OCSI](https://ocsi.org/) and are considered an excellent American school, complete with accreditation. They have a good percentage of students who get into American, British and Chinese universities also. The biggest issue is the cost of tuition. They have good extracurricular activities and compete island-wide. They used to compete in the Pac-rim schools (including DODEA) tournaments, but not sure if they still do that. Hope all goes well.
Following this thread since I plan to move there in 2 years. Just got back from there on leave and it was humid as balls.
There’s so much bad information in this thread about schools, taxes and visa status that it can only be cleared up in person with some coffee. OP, let me know if you’re interested when you actually get on island.
Zion is a big mistake. They say they have US accreditation but they do not. They are affiliated with such a school, but they are not that school. My son had to take the GED after graduation for any non-profit state university to consider him. How embarrassing and humiliating after paying private school tuition to learn after graduation that the degree is worthless. So many broken hearted pissed off parents over the years, but by the time they find out the truth, it’s too late.
As others have said, look at OCSI.
OCSI (Okinawa Christian School International) is a good school for military people! There is a mix of military, Japanese, and international students. The teachers are all kind and considerate, as well as the students. I’ve noticed that all new students find friend groups within their first day.
OCSI also has a basketball team, and some players are even in the junior Ryukyu team.
I heard that OCSI has waiting list for the Junior classes.
If you go to the city office and say ‘Konichiwa’, they will giggle and say ‘Sugoi desu ne’ and then you don’t have to pay taxes because you’re special
congrats!