If you'd like to speak directly with someone from the admissions team (they would be happy to help you!), don't hesitate to use the address below! International undergraduate admissions - welcome@apu.ac.jp Graduate admissions - apugrad@apu.ac.jp
@@ザカリー-s5v I've known and worked with several veterans who used their GI Bill at APU, both for undergrad and graduate degrees. The Admissions Office team should be able to answer your questions about this, so drop them a line!
Just wanted to say how genuinely life-changingly useful this video potentially is. I showed this to my one of my family. They have wanted to go to Japan for years now and this video has opened up their understanding of how possible that could be. It also opens up the possibility of attending an American style university (which is very, very different to the British style...very...) But, for them, the American style may well be more suitable. And to be able to do that in Japan without breaking the bank of Mum and Dad... That’s a massive deal. It has genuinely delivered a massive motivational kickstart to their sense of what is possible. Thank you. One question, if anyone knows, I can’t find any details on the international mix on the APU site. Anyone aware of any British students at APU??
BEFORE enroling, anyone interested should be sure to speak *directly* with current students if one wants a more accurate idea of what to expect. This is true with any program anywhere, but may be especially relevant for APU, for which there are many pretty pictures and videos on the internet that don't necessarily reflect the deeper, lived reality for students. For details, you can read my full comment elsewhere in the comments section. 🔍 Peace. 🕊️
I graduated 2020 March, no ceremony coz of covid, but I miss APU so much. Parts of me wish I did things a little differently while I was there, but they were the best and most fulfilling years I've had!
I'm 33 now, I wish I had my life together when I graduated highschool. Growing up in a broken home and in poverty really didn't push my life to university. Now that I'm a bit self made, I wish I could win the lottery or something so I can follow my dreams of going to a university for 4 years and have the experience I wish I had when I was in my 20's.
47% international students is pretty crazy for a university in Japan - I studied at Josai International University (Togane, Chiba) and it felt very international, but even though it has more than a thousand international students every semester that's still less than 20%
Maybe when the world opens up again, this could be a huge opportunity to take into consideration. So glad that your old employer decided to sponsor you! You came such a long way. As usual keep it up :)
Every single day I am tired of questions about APU, how to apply, tuition, career opportunities after graduation etc. So happy you put together such an informative video. Each time I'll get questions about APU again, I am going to send a link for this video 😃
I did their summer gateway program for 2 months during my university degree in 2017. It was an amazing program and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an exchange program. It's 2 months, living in APU residence, doing language courses 5 days a week with extra cultural activities on some evenings/weekends. They also pair you up with a local student which makes it a lot easier to make local friends. Edit: * Beppu is a great city and Kyushu is beautiful. Absolutely loved it
I graduated from APU in 2009. 8:15 I think about this professor almost daily. i really appreciate the experience i had there. I did receive a good education, but what i value most was working (in class and part time jobs) with people from 90+ different countries. I have friends all over the world now.
He's still around, and he's still awesome. I got to hang out with him and a few other professors one night when they had a jam session, in the before times. Hoping to repeat that as things return to normal.
What did you major in? My worry that if I were to try and go there is that since it's liberal arts and relatively unknown, if I fail to get a job over there back in the US it will be useless.
@@frederichsmith7075 sociology. there is also the business school, it doesn't have to be liberal arts. everyone i can think of has done pretty well after graduation, except for a few that went back to the states, but that was more because we graduated into the financial crisis. the school is well known in Japan and they assist with job hunting. Recruiters go there looking for people that will bring new ideas to a japanese company, although being japan they often don't listen. In my experience having a Japanese University and Ritsumeikan on your resume sells itself.
I'm enrolled at APU with a scholarship but thanks to COVID I haven't been able to start my studies. I've just deferred for the second time, to September 2021. Knowing that my fate rests in the hands of the Japanese government has been nothing but frustrating and depressing. I am not part of an important voter bloc, I wouldn't even be eligible to vote, so it's in their best interests to keep me out of the country for as long as COVID exists anywhere in the world. I get it, and I'm in full support of mandatory quarantine, tests and any protocol to keep people safe. But this blanket ban is killing me. I can't see my girlfriend, I haven't seen her for over a year, it'll soon be two years. She's Japanese and also enrolled at APU. She'll start her classes in a few days while I'm in limbo. I've emailed everyone I can: the embassy, the ambassador, but it's a stone wall. In Japan it seems, there are no exceptions. I just wish they treated us like potential citizens, rather than outside nuisances and vectors of disease. Keeping out tourists seems wise, but killing immigration like this for years could be a huge problem for Japan in the context of the falling population. Japanese citizens could return with no quarantine from around the world no problem for nearly a year, while everyone else was blocked, which I find baffling and disappointing. Even if I was married with a Japanese citizen, had a job offer and a scholarship, was fully vaccinated, got tested on both ends of the journey and was willing to pay for my full 2 week quarantine, I would still not be considered. I hope with the slow rollout of the vaccines over the summer something will change, but I'm at my wits end. I just wish I could really talk to someone at the decision making level.
Wow, that sounds so frustrating. I have also been trying a lot with the same results. Sorry to hear about your struggle! I know this might not be comforting for you but hearing someone going through similar/worse struggles was somewhat comforting for me. All the best, I hope the situation changes quickly, and there is at least some way to be able to go there.
@@JRevengeZzz Well, we're all in this together, aren't we? I'm glad you reached out, it did make me feel better, though I hope you can go as soon as possible! They're either going to let us, students in as a monolith, or not in as a monolith so I'm sitting tight but, look around for other options too. I wish you all the best! Maybe we'll meet and never know it.
Daddyo.. tough timing.. many affected, including long-time residents and business owners with staff and families here, who were outside when the doors closed last March. As for 'baffling and disappointing' comment on citizens: the so-called Right of Return is UN mandated, globally, if you hold passport for nation they cannot reasonably refuse you entry(.) Otherwise, indeed.. rules.. those decisions have been made.. highly unlikely that desperately asking around will change clearly established standard answer.. again, tough timing.. しょうがない。
@@DaddyOho I also wish to study in Japan like you, as I will be graduating high school in 2022. Do you think by then the government will be more accepting of allowing foreigners into the country for educational purposes? Also how difficult was obtaining the scholarship, as it’s my primary concern because I hope I can also get it and go study, because it will simplify my life significantly. If it’s a concern about grades and gpa then I think I will be fine, as I have a 4.5 gpa for high school, so far.
@@videolinktv8324 I don't mind that Japanese citizens could return, that was good! But the fact that there was no mandated quarantine, even though they were just as risky to bring into the country as foreigners was not a good policy. Dangerous for public health and unnecessarily discriminatory. Also: "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again" :) You shouldn't give up on your dreams so easily. I will "desperately ask" people if I think it might help.
Hey there! Current APU student here! If you have any questions, feel free! Personally, while APU doesn't offer the depth that some other more well-known university offer, the environment here is simply incredible. The international residents living in the city probably make up around 5% of the local residents, which makes seeing random foreigners veeeery common.
Hey, I'm in my Sophomore year of highschool in America and considering going there. I looked up the acceptance rate of the university and it said that it's 36.8%!! Is it that hard to get into as an international student or is that inaccurate? If it's not too much to ask what was your GPA or any rinfo that i can use to compare it to myself. If you are able to reply I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!!
Hello, I have a few questions that I would like some first-hand information on? Would you be willing to chat? it could be on any platform you're comfortable with.
I was going to study at Ritsumeikan APU for my undergraduate degree but things didn't work out for me and I wasn't able to make it, even though I was accepted... It was really sad then and I was extremely disappointed and almost entered into a state of depression because of that.... I am out of that time now, but I still keep thinking about it and how life would have been so different for me now if I had been there.... Thank you for making this video Dogen 🥺☺️
I studied at APU for 1.5 years. I didn't know Dogen san worked there :) Really an international place and you will find many friendly and English speaking Japanese there. I recommend APU to all international students who want to come to Japan to study!
This came just in time! I was feeling a bit hopeless these days because I'm trying to get JLPT N2-1 this year. Problem is, my finals are at the same time as the JLPT and that has been stressing me out. Now, knowing that there's another option in case I don't make it through the JLPT, I feel so so so relieved!! I guess it's true that nowadays, there are actually ENDLESS possibilities and a lot of different ways to go about things, it's just that we usually don't know even 80% of it! Thank you so much Dogen, not only have you taught me a lot of Japanese, but you've also been mentally encouraging and it's not a stretch to say you're a life-coach to all of us who plan to go to Japan. Thank you!! 🥰
I was an exchange student in APU and it was a really amazing experience. The campus was gorgeous and I got to interact with people from literally everywhere
I really feel for your class. If you started in Spring 2016, you got the earthquake experience as well. I would love to see the university hold a massive graduation celebration for all the classes that didn't get ceremonies, once this whole COVID situation gets straightened out.
So glad to see APU in your channel! I love APU for its well-organised multicultural environment. It also considers every diversity of students from a range of countries.
Good luck mate, wish you the best. Also, make sure to thank your parents, they are gonna be spending a lot of money so you get a chance to follow your dreams ^^
I first came to know about APU a year ago or so in one of your videos then I researched crazy and contacted them. Now I've decided that I'm applying to APU next year and this video just adds more credibility to my decision.
This will be a nice format if you alternate between quality sponsored videos (Dogen pays bills---we get more content), livestreams, language/pitch tutorials and comedy. If I had one wish it would be more comedy vids, simply because often they are so short. But all in all, love the channel.
Hey can I ask you.. Was it for an exchange year? Because I want to apply on a japanese university but Im struggling to find the right one and I heard japanese universitys usually have an application test that is pretty hard
Applied for the Spring 2023 semester long study abroad period as a junior in college. I should hopefully be hearing back during this week or next. Very excited and hopefully get in!
It's nice to hear about an international university in Japan with such high educational standards in such detail. I spent a semester abroad at KGU (not by choice necessarily, it was the only Japanese partner institution at my home university), and while I tremendously enjoyed my time there despite Covid going down, I always felt that international students at KGU were only used as a catalyst to increase prestige and polish outer appearances for potential Japanese students (and their parents, since they would likely have to pay for it). It seemed like a giant waste of potential, especially seeing as they got some really high quality teachers and professors in the business field. But they set the bar so damn low for internationals- I'd be lying if I said studying there furthered my education (except Japanese, though classes were still really slow and easy) by a lot, coming from an European standard. I will probably come back to Japan for a different degree, but definitely aim for other universities.
I have not yet watched the whole video, but like you said in your introduction, it would have been great if this information was available when I was still in highschool (~12 years ago). Great that you are putting this out there and hopefully a new generation of people can take these "new" opportunities and make the most out of them.
The saddest thing is that it’s been available for 20 years and all around has been well supported, ridiculously so even, and most people write it off as a joke. I ended up at APU on a lark because of a high school exchange program in 2006. Literally the entire reason I speak Japanese was that I was assigned randomly to a Ritsumeikan School on the other side of the country for 6 weeks. I only chose Japan because it was one of the only countries I could actually get into the study abroad for.
Dogen, I find it really relatable and interesting what you said about how the International students and Japanese students naturally split into "bubbles." When I was doing my year abroad in Japan, I experienced the exact same thing. I found myself in a "bubble" with other international students from all over the world. After I graduated I went to Taiwan and enrolled in a Taiwanese University to learn Mandarin. There, I experienced the bubble phenomenon once more, only this time the Japanese students were also with me in the same International bubble as we were all foreigners. Because of this, I made more Japanese friends (and a bigger improvement in my Japanese language ability) studying Mandarin in Taiwan than I did studying Japanese in Japan. APU looks great! I almost selected it as my university of choice for my study abroad program 4 years ago when I was an undergraduate.
Dōgen-san, thanks for covering APU (my alma mater). I think it's good to attend APU because it kinda acts as a cultural buffer between the Japanese society and where you (or anyone) comes from. You'll get used to Japanese customs and cultures quicker through APU.
I know this video is a little old, but I really wish I would have known this in high school. Appreciate you sharing dogen. Also been binging the content lately much love and hope you are doing well
Dogen... Why do you have to make me regret my college decision? Edit: I'm not sure exactly how study abroad works, but I'll have to see if I set up a year of study abroad here with my college.
Man, I have finished my exchange year at APU last year while watching your videos. Somehow I feel like I might have met you in my trips to Oita. Never knew you were connected to my university! Feel special to be the part of the same place as Dogen.✨
Hey can I ask you.. What was needed for an application? Just 12 years of schools absolved, the english test and the application fee? Im struggling to find my way to a japanese university
I studied abroad at APU in 2016; I was hooked in by the nature-heavy environment and higher-level Japanese classes. Met my girlfriend of 5 years while we were neighbors in AP House. At this point I wouldn't have it any other way, but I really think I would have loved studying there for the whole 4 years. Absolutely beautiful campus in a super cool town in an absolutely gorgeous prefecture. I actually also have a familial connection to Beppu through the Camp Chickamauga 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (100% coincidence discovered after I told my grandmother I wanted to study there). Being there was a special, life-changing experience in all sorts of ways. The gf and I have been dying to go back for a visit, hopefully sometime this year if all goes well.
I’ve been a big fan of you for a long time and currently I’m a student in APU. and now I know you used to work in my university. Wish I could talk with you while you were still here..hahaha Due to COVID, school like APU is likely to get negative impacts such as international students cannot come over to Japan. COVID has been a big headache, but APU is trying their best for students I think.
I'm new to your channel and was surprised to hear you're from Redmond! I live in Washington and am trying to self learn Japanese myself. Your videos caught my eye so I decided to start watching a bunch of them. I'm kicking myself in the butt for shirking my Japanese language studies. I'm 28 now and I'm trying to relearn everything with lots of frustration. Your videos have been helping motivate me though. Thank you for all you do!
Amazing video, Dogen! I followed a very similar path as you (1-year at Sophia + 2 years of JET). Had I known there were reputable 4-year English language programs in Japan, I'd have strongly considered it. And as a note on Beppu, it's a really cool place! Thank you for highlighting this to the next generation!
Currently a 4th year student at APU from the US. University here so much cheaper than in the states, even if you don’t get a scholarship, which is just so nice. While APU might not be the best university out there, I would say that it’s a pretty alright place to be at and if you’re looking to widen your world view, you should definitely check it out (I can’t say too much experience-wise because I spent the majority of my time at APU locked down in my apartment or in the dorm thanks to COVID, but from the little I got to experience, it was quite nice). Also, we’re getting a revamp very soon, and so there’s some pretty cool stuff to look forward to. 👀 オススメです。
If I had known this 3 years ago I would be willing to bet I'd be studying there right now haha. Still glad I stayed here in Canada for Computer Science since it's not offered at APU. Hoping to do the JET Programme after graduation.
I went to APU and he is definitely legit about how living cost in Beppu could be very cheap. Back in the early 2010s, I shared a 3 room apartment with two other students. The apartment rent cost us 18,000 yen per month, hence each of us only paid 6000 yen lol. Seeing how in general the inflation is quite low in Japan, I guess the rent would be still around similar rate. Back then I was able to get a bento for 300 yen too lol. Ah I miss those good old Beppu days!
When I did a semester exchange at Meiji University in Tokyo, I was so jealous that some of my classmates were transfer students from a junior college in the US just like me. To think that I could have gone there full time and still get the financial aid from back home was mind blowing and I kind of wish I knew. Though that would have been for a more liberal arts degree as opposed to my engineering degree from the states. I feel a little more confident having job security with a Computer Science degree from back home, but man did it take so much longer.
Thank you so mich for making this video! Im currently a sophomore and really want to study abroad in some way or another in Japan and APU sounded like an almost perfect fit... until you got to the section about the education topics. Unfortunately, im interested in studying chemistry 😥 but im glad you told us this bc i otherwise wouldve spent a lot more time and energy researching APUfurther just to fidn the same thing.
I watched the whole video and I liked to know about it. But, the title of the video isn't clear or flashy at all, I would suggest something like "How to start studying in a japanese university", or something like that. I didn't know what the heck was "Ritsumeikan APU" even though I knew you, but many people don't know who Dogen is, but could be interested in this subject
Thanks for this. I was about to give up on American colleges and now I know there are other options without having to study abroad or master fluency of another language. I will definitely be applying to APM, but will also be researching other similar schools.
This is cool. I've already finished my bachelor's in the states but I did attempt to study abroad at ritsumeikan in kyoto (not APU). It's an opportunity I wish everyone who wants to have could have.
The hardest part about going to Japanese universities is that unless you already have money, your chances come down to whether or not you get a scholarship and whether or not it's a good enough one to cover what you need. There are a lot of universities with English-taught classes, but I would suggest anyone who is limited financially and may not be able to get scholarships, look into Temple University Japan (TUJ) which is located in Tokyo and shares a campus with Showa. As Dogen said, you'll be paying quite a bit more, but since it is a branch of Temple, which is American, they're the only school in Japan that accepts US Federal Financial Aid and loans which can also be used on living expenses which is INCREDIBLY helpful. With Tuition, rent, utilities, food, healthcare, and everything needed to survive included you're looking at about $30k per year in expenses, largely depending on your rent since the tuition is actually fairly priced. The majors are fairly broad, but if you're looking for a way into Japan as soon as possible and don't want to get your degree in America like me, I highly suggest considering them unless you need a specialized degree outside business. The scariest part about moving for me was finances and just knowing I can use federal aid to help takes a huge load off my mind.
I can confirm. Currently studying at Kitakyushu, and I really did not expect the amount of people from my home country, to a point where I only rarely use English even, let alone practice Japanese, since I almost always see my people everyday, so we tend to just flock together. This of course, made the Japanese people, who, while they're studying in an international campus, isn't that well-versed in English, prefer to not interact with us, and just talk with their own.
This was useful for me... if it had been 10 years ago and I hadn't made some horrible life choices. That said, anyone going for APU I wish you the best, and without sarcasm, enjoy the fact it's easier then ever to get into the Japanese education system, though I do wish it was more advertised, I've never heard of this and it's been 21 years so far.
Hey, I'm Highly considering APU and have few questions I would like first hand information on Would you be willing to chat? It can be any platform/social media you're comfortable with. Thanks
Man I wish I could even study in Japan for a year, due to covid and my completing degree, the best I can hope for is a month exchange for my Japanese Diploma
Thank you so much for making this video! In a few months I will graduate from the university in my country where I'm studying Japanese and I have no idea what to do with my life after that. 😅
Sounds really awesome, I wish I could have gone (I went to Uni 11 years ago, so I didn't have the option, otherwise I'd have gladly taken it). Sadly, the cost for this is actually still higher than studying at most universities here in the UK (last time I checked, the charge cap over here is roughly £9,000 a year), so I find it very unlikely that regular students from here would get the chance to study over there.
@@B0XMATTER Sorry I meant B.Eng. I guess it's because its master's program, like many lower-rank and provincial universities in Japan, is so much easier to get into than that of top ranked programs, especially if the applicant's country's higher education system is in shambles or barely existent. But I know a lot of people (foreigners and Japanese alike) who started from these universities only to continue graduate school in higher ranked institutions.
Great info! I’d like to make a suggestion if I may. When I clicked on this video, I had no idea what it was about. The title is not very clear unless you are already familiar with APU. A more generic title would reach a lot more people who would benefit from all the great information you have provided. 😊
Got a mixed feelings with this video. Dogen is making me really looking forward my studying life but I still don't know how much longer I need to wait for entry ban to be lifted for international students while it's just less than a week from the start of the new semester... was supposed to study in Japan since last year. But still, thank you so much for the very helpful and informative video.
Message the school if you haven't, I'm attending Temple University Tokyo this August and they've assured me exceptions are being made for incoming students, however I'm not sure if that's all schools or just for them
@@Scopatone Thank you, already message the school and my embassy too. So far they only told me to please wait for a bit. I will begin online since I'm not allowed to defer anymore.
@@May_Green It's not easy, but hang in there! Don't hesitate to reach out to someone if you're having a hard time. APU was able to help a lot of students last year, and I'm sure they'll do everything they can this year, too.
If you’re interested in studying in Japan, ICU is also a great option. Unlike other good universities with international courses, the whole school is pretty international and has an open campus like APU but in the Tokyo area with many courses. They have a great mandatory Japanese course regardless of your major and many classes in all majors are in English. The grad school is a bit weak but many go to the best schools in Japan and often abroad after their bachelors. However, ICU is less diverse so I’ll call APU an international university and ICU one of the most international Japanese universities. Many of the Japanese students have overseas experience so it’s better than most other Japanese universities. I’m an alumnus so I’m biased, but if you’re considering applying to APU then ICU would also be a great option. A bit more Japanese and in the Tokyo area, but maybe a bit more expensive overall.
Temple University in Tokyo is also a great option for those with more limited financials. They're not a top school, but they're the only school in Japan (to my knowledge) that allows the use of US Federal Financial Aid and Loans and that can be a HUGE saving grace. It's basically the only reason I can afford to go since I don't qualify for most school scholarship programs
@@Scopatone How much did you end up paying out of pocket? The website says it's ~$69,000 for four years (excluding living expenses). Do you work part time? The prospect of studying in Japan would be nice, but being 18 with only 10k saved up makes it rough evaluate where (or how) to start and if it's even possible.
@@ScarletxP I'll only be there 2 years for my BA, so my total is $65k WITH living expenses included. I work full time now and by the time I move in August I'll have about $32k in savings and FAFSA is covering the other $30k'ish. Definitely weigh your options because you can't live on campus past your first semester and you still need to pay rent + other expenses on top of that tuition. Being on a student Visa, you're limited to part time work (30 hours I think) so the chances of being able to work your way through college over there is pretty small. It's a lot to think about and consider and definitely not the cheapest option, it took me almost 2 years of saving to be able to go.
Was there for a year, students are the best part by far. Favourite year pf my life however...I wouldn't recommend it if you genuinely care about academic quality. This doesn't include the Japanese language classes, they were top notch.
If you'd like to speak directly with someone from the admissions team (they would be happy to help you!), don't hesitate to use the address below!
International undergraduate admissions - welcome@apu.ac.jp
Graduate admissions - apugrad@apu.ac.jp
Hey Dogen. Really like your vid. Did you ever study with any veterans? I'm thinking about using my GI bill for APU.
@@ザカリー-s5v I've known and worked with several veterans who used their GI Bill at APU, both for undergrad and graduate degrees. The Admissions Office team should be able to answer your questions about this, so drop them a line!
@@jp5055 Awesome thank you very much!
Just wanted to say how genuinely life-changingly useful this video potentially is. I showed this to my one of my family. They have wanted to go to Japan for years now and this video has opened up their understanding of how possible that could be. It also opens up the possibility of attending an American style university (which is very, very different to the British style...very...) But, for them, the American style may well be more suitable. And to be able to do that in Japan without breaking the bank of Mum and Dad... That’s a massive deal. It has genuinely delivered a massive motivational kickstart to their sense of what is possible. Thank you. One question, if anyone knows, I can’t find any details on the international mix on the APU site. Anyone aware of any British students at APU??
BEFORE enroling, anyone interested should be sure to speak *directly* with current students if one wants a more accurate idea of what to expect. This is true with any program anywhere, but may be especially relevant for APU, for which there are many pretty pictures and videos on the internet that don't necessarily reflect the deeper, lived reality for students. For details, you can read my full comment elsewhere in the comments section. 🔍 Peace. 🕊️
It's great you're promoting education legitimately. Someone watching this will see and it will be eye opening and inspiring
If this was 20 years ago I'd have been sold on this program. Unfortunately...I can't time travel (yet). :)
@@jrb363 There's always grad school!
Im 16 and this completely sold me, i was going to take the route that dogen took but now imma try to aim for this
i’m a 3rd year in APU! imagine my surprise when i saw dogen had uploaded this video
Hi Tyara!!!!
@@tsubasahanif9719 hi there 🙌
@@oyuuuuuuuuchan moyuuuu how are uuu
@@tsubasahanif9719 💖💖💖
Is this where all APU students gather? Hahaha
I graduated 2020 March, no ceremony coz of covid, but I miss APU so much. Parts of me wish I did things a little differently while I was there, but they were the best and most fulfilling years I've had!
Your class really got it coming (with the Kumamoto/Oita earthquakes) and going (with corona). If you made it through these, nobody can stop you!
hello can I ask if I should transfer as second year or finish my bachelor before transferring
I'm 33 now, I wish I had my life together when I graduated highschool. Growing up in a broken home and in poverty really didn't push my life to university. Now that I'm a bit self made, I wish I could win the lottery or something so I can follow my dreams of going to a university for 4 years and have the experience I wish I had when I was in my 20's.
47% international students is pretty crazy for a university in Japan - I studied at Josai International University (Togane, Chiba) and it felt very international, but even though it has more than a thousand international students every semester that's still less than 20%
Shout out to APU alumni!💪🏼👋🏼👍🏼
I must have been the Uzbek guy at the next table😂.
ive been looking the last 2 months for a university to study abroad. this came in perfect timing
Maybe when the world opens up again, this could be a huge opportunity to take into consideration.
So glad that your old employer decided to sponsor you!
You came such a long way. As usual keep it up :)
I'm crying. This is exactly the kind of thing I wanted when I went to university.
i just wanna say the editing is 👌 love how the little Oita - Kyushu - Japan map was done
You just made my day.
@@jp5055 I'm glad ❤ thank you for your amazing work!
Every single day I am tired of questions about APU, how to apply, tuition, career opportunities after graduation etc. So happy you put together such an informative video. Each time I'll get questions about APU again, I am going to send a link for this video 😃
I'm in high school right now, learning Japanese, and holy shit, I am so glad this exists. Thanks for talking about it!
Indeed, I would have been thrilled to hear about this place as a kid.
I did their summer gateway program for 2 months during my university degree in 2017. It was an amazing program and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an exchange program. It's 2 months, living in APU residence, doing language courses 5 days a week with extra cultural activities on some evenings/weekends. They also pair you up with a local student which makes it a lot easier to make local friends.
Edit: * Beppu is a great city and Kyushu is beautiful. Absolutely loved it
I graduated from APU in 2009. 8:15 I think about this professor almost daily.
i really appreciate the experience i had there. I did receive a good education, but what i value most was working (in class and part time jobs) with people from 90+ different countries. I have friends all over the world now.
He's still around, and he's still awesome. I got to hang out with him and a few other professors one night when they had a jam session, in the before times. Hoping to repeat that as things return to normal.
What did you major in? My worry that if I were to try and go there is that since it's liberal arts and relatively unknown, if I fail to get a job over there back in the US it will be useless.
@@frederichsmith7075 sociology. there is also the business school, it doesn't have to be liberal arts. everyone i can think of has done pretty well after graduation, except for a few that went back to the states, but that was more because we graduated into the financial crisis. the school is well known in Japan and they assist with job hunting. Recruiters go there looking for people that will bring new ideas to a japanese company, although being japan they often don't listen. In my experience having a Japanese University and Ritsumeikan on your resume sells itself.
I'm enrolled at APU with a scholarship but thanks to COVID I haven't been able to start my studies. I've just deferred for the second time, to September 2021. Knowing that my fate rests in the hands of the Japanese government has been nothing but frustrating and depressing. I am not part of an important voter bloc, I wouldn't even be eligible to vote, so it's in their best interests to keep me out of the country for as long as COVID exists anywhere in the world. I get it, and I'm in full support of mandatory quarantine, tests and any protocol to keep people safe. But this blanket ban is killing me. I can't see my girlfriend, I haven't seen her for over a year, it'll soon be two years. She's Japanese and also enrolled at APU. She'll start her classes in a few days while I'm in limbo. I've emailed everyone I can: the embassy, the ambassador, but it's a stone wall. In Japan it seems, there are no exceptions. I just wish they treated us like potential citizens, rather than outside nuisances and vectors of disease. Keeping out tourists seems wise, but killing immigration like this for years could be a huge problem for Japan in the context of the falling population. Japanese citizens could return with no quarantine from around the world no problem for nearly a year, while everyone else was blocked, which I find baffling and disappointing. Even if I was married with a Japanese citizen, had a job offer and a scholarship, was fully vaccinated, got tested on both ends of the journey and was willing to pay for my full 2 week quarantine, I would still not be considered. I hope with the slow rollout of the vaccines over the summer something will change, but I'm at my wits end. I just wish I could really talk to someone at the decision making level.
Wow, that sounds so frustrating. I have also been trying a lot with the same results. Sorry to hear about your struggle! I know this might not be comforting for you but hearing someone going through similar/worse struggles was somewhat comforting for me. All the best, I hope the situation changes quickly, and there is at least some way to be able to go there.
@@JRevengeZzz Well, we're all in this together, aren't we? I'm glad you reached out, it did make me feel better, though I hope you can go as soon as possible! They're either going to let us, students in as a monolith, or not in as a monolith so I'm sitting tight but, look around for other options too. I wish you all the best! Maybe we'll meet and never know it.
Daddyo.. tough timing.. many affected, including long-time residents and business owners with staff and families here, who were outside when the doors closed last March. As for 'baffling and disappointing' comment on citizens: the so-called Right of Return is UN mandated, globally, if you hold passport for nation they cannot reasonably refuse you entry(.) Otherwise, indeed.. rules.. those decisions have been made.. highly unlikely that desperately asking around will change clearly established standard answer.. again, tough timing.. しょうがない。
@@DaddyOho I also wish to study in Japan like you, as I will be graduating high school in 2022. Do you think by then the government will be more accepting of allowing foreigners into the country for educational purposes? Also how difficult was obtaining the scholarship, as it’s my primary concern because I hope I can also get it and go study, because it will simplify my life significantly. If it’s a concern about grades and gpa then I think I will be fine, as I have a 4.5 gpa for high school, so far.
@@videolinktv8324 I don't mind that Japanese citizens could return, that was good! But the fact that there was no mandated quarantine, even though they were just as risky to bring into the country as foreigners was not a good policy. Dangerous for public health and unnecessarily discriminatory.
Also:
"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again" :) You shouldn't give up on your dreams so easily. I will "desperately ask" people if I think it might help.
Hey there! Current APU student here! If you have any questions, feel free!
Personally, while APU doesn't offer the depth that some other more well-known university offer, the environment here is simply incredible. The international residents living in the city probably make up around 5% of the local residents, which makes seeing random foreigners veeeery common.
Hey, I'm in my Sophomore year of highschool in America and considering going there. I looked up the acceptance rate of the university and it said that it's 36.8%!! Is it that hard to get into as an international student or is that inaccurate? If it's not too much to ask what was your GPA or any rinfo that i can use to compare it to myself. If you are able to reply I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!!
Hello,
I have a few questions that I would like some first-hand information on?
Would you be willing to chat?
it could be on any platform you're comfortable with.
As an APU graduate - strong recommend. I loved those years, and learned so much. It's am amazing academy.
hello can i ask if i can transfer for second year, or should i finish my bachelor before transferring
what was your subject?
@@MasterPandaBearChannel Just try to do the transfer program. You won't lose anything
とても興味深い話でした。多くの大学でこのような光景が見られるようになればきっと素敵なことでしょう。
I was going to study at Ritsumeikan APU for my undergraduate degree but things didn't work out for me and I wasn't able to make it, even though I was accepted... It was really sad then and I was extremely disappointed and almost entered into a state of depression because of that....
I am out of that time now, but I still keep thinking about it and how life would have been so different for me now if I had been there....
Thank you for making this video Dogen 🥺☺️
you can still apply, I think I won't be able to make it this year due to financial crisis, although transfer is okay with apu ill try again soon
I studied at APU for 1.5 years. I didn't know Dogen san worked there :) Really an international place and you will find many friendly and English speaking Japanese there. I recommend APU to all international students who want to come to Japan to study!
This came just in time!
I was feeling a bit hopeless these days because I'm trying to get JLPT N2-1 this year. Problem is, my finals are at the same time as the JLPT and that has been stressing me out.
Now, knowing that there's another option in case I don't make it through the JLPT, I feel so so so relieved!!
I guess it's true that nowadays, there are actually ENDLESS possibilities and a lot of different ways to go about things, it's just that we usually don't know even 80% of it!
Thank you so much Dogen, not only have you taught me a lot of Japanese, but you've also been mentally encouraging and it's not a stretch to say you're a life-coach to all of us who plan to go to Japan. Thank you!! 🥰
I was an exchange student in APU and it was a really amazing experience. The campus was gorgeous and I got to interact with people from literally everywhere
I went to Ritsumeikan APU, it was so much fun!
And they've got the photo of us two in their booklet! Hope you're doing well
I graduated from APU about 10 years ago... It was definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had...!
I totally wish I saw this video back when I was still in high school, would def have signed up
I belong to the unfortunate Spring batch of 2020 of APU alumni that had their graduation ceremony cancelled due to COVID-19.
I really feel for your class. If you started in Spring 2016, you got the earthquake experience as well. I would love to see the university hold a massive graduation celebration for all the classes that didn't get ceremonies, once this whole COVID situation gets straightened out.
I went to APU in 2012 and I highly recommend it. You will meet fantastic people and make some amazing memories.
So glad to see APU in your channel! I love APU for its well-organised multicultural environment. It also considers every diversity of students from a range of countries.
I actually just applied to APU and will be getting my final results on April 5th... hoping I get to go :')
Good luck mate, wish you the best. Also, make sure to thank your parents, they are gonna be spending a lot of money so you get a chance to follow your dreams ^^
did u get in , jl
I first came to know about APU a year ago or so in one of your videos then I researched crazy and contacted them. Now I've decided that I'm applying to APU next year and this video just adds more credibility to my decision.
I took my high school students to APU every year for certain events when I lived and taught in Oita. Great school, beautiful campus, awesome teachers.
I studied at AIU (Akita International University), the courses are taught in English. Small student body but a fantastic experience.
Another great option!
hello are you still in AIU?, do they have scholarship
I wish I had this video 10 years ago. Hope many people see it and take the chance!
This will be a nice format if you alternate between quality sponsored videos (Dogen pays bills---we get more content), livestreams, language/pitch tutorials and comedy.
If I had one wish it would be more comedy vids, simply because often they are so short. But all in all, love the channel.
Thank you so much man. Im a third year in high school right now trying to figure out what I want to do in life and this seems pretty achievable.
I personally studied at Kyushu University, Brilliant university for Engineering. But good video none-the less Dogen!
Hey can I ask you.. Was it for an exchange year?
Because I want to apply on a japanese university but Im struggling to find the right one and I heard japanese universitys usually have an application test that is pretty hard
こんにちは、ドゲン！！！ Really love the videos and keep it up!
Dogenさんが提供だとしてもAPUについて話してくれてるの感動すぎる...😢
Applied for the Spring 2023 semester long study abroad period as a junior in college. I should hopefully be hearing back during this week or next. Very excited and hopefully get in!
It's nice to hear about an international university in Japan with such high educational standards in such detail.
I spent a semester abroad at KGU (not by choice necessarily, it was the only Japanese partner institution at my home university), and while I tremendously enjoyed my time there despite Covid going down, I always felt that international students at KGU were only used as a catalyst to increase prestige and polish outer appearances for potential Japanese students (and their parents, since they would likely have to pay for it).
It seemed like a giant waste of potential, especially seeing as they got some really high quality teachers and professors in the business field. But they set the bar so damn low for internationals- I'd be lying if I said studying there furthered my education (except Japanese, though classes were still really slow and easy) by a lot, coming from an European standard.
I will probably come back to Japan for a different degree, but definitely aim for other universities.
I have not yet watched the whole video, but like you said in your introduction, it would have been great if this information was available when I was still in highschool (~12 years ago). Great that you are putting this out there and hopefully a new generation of people can take these "new" opportunities and make the most out of them.
The saddest thing is that it’s been available for 20 years and all around has been well supported, ridiculously so even, and most people write it off as a joke.
I ended up at APU on a lark because of a high school exchange program in 2006. Literally the entire reason I speak Japanese was that I was assigned randomly to a Ritsumeikan School on the other side of the country for 6 weeks. I only chose Japan because it was one of the only countries I could actually get into the study abroad for.
Dogen, I find it really relatable and interesting what you said about how the International students and Japanese students naturally split into "bubbles."
When I was doing my year abroad in Japan, I experienced the exact same thing. I found myself in a "bubble" with other international students from all over the world. After I graduated I went to Taiwan and enrolled in a Taiwanese University to learn Mandarin. There, I experienced the bubble phenomenon once more, only this time the Japanese students were also with me in the same International bubble as we were all foreigners. Because of this, I made more Japanese friends (and a bigger improvement in my Japanese language ability) studying Mandarin in Taiwan than I did studying Japanese in Japan.
APU looks great! I almost selected it as my university of choice for my study abroad program 4 years ago when I was an undergraduate.
I've been following you since my pre-APU days, and now I'm here watching this. Glad to be here XD
Dōgen-san, thanks for covering APU (my alma mater). I think it's good to attend APU because it kinda acts as a cultural buffer between the Japanese society and where you (or anyone) comes from. You'll get used to Japanese customs and cultures quicker through APU.
I know this video is a little old, but I really wish I would have known this in high school. Appreciate you sharing dogen. Also been binging the content lately much love and hope you are doing well
Dogen... Why do you have to make me regret my college decision?
Edit: I'm not sure exactly how study abroad works, but I'll have to see if I set up a year of study abroad here with my college.
Man, I have finished my exchange year at APU last year while watching your videos. Somehow I feel like I might have met you in my trips to Oita. Never knew you were connected to my university! Feel special to be the part of the same place as Dogen.✨
Hey can I ask you.. What was needed for an application?
Just 12 years of schools absolved, the english test and the application fee?
Im struggling to find my way to a japanese university
@@m.l.2871 You can find these answers on the Admissions website. You should also speak with an admissions counselor if you have any other questions!
Dogen! Crazy to hear you went to UW. I'm there now minoring in Japanese, starting my first day of Fifth-Year Japanese tomorrow! Inspiring.
I studied abroad at APU in 2016; I was hooked in by the nature-heavy environment and higher-level Japanese classes. Met my girlfriend of 5 years while we were neighbors in AP House. At this point I wouldn't have it any other way, but I really think I would have loved studying there for the whole 4 years. Absolutely beautiful campus in a super cool town in an absolutely gorgeous prefecture. I actually also have a familial connection to Beppu through the Camp Chickamauga 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (100% coincidence discovered after I told my grandmother I wanted to study there). Being there was a special, life-changing experience in all sorts of ways. The gf and I have been dying to go back for a visit, hopefully sometime this year if all goes well.
I’ve been a big fan of you for a long time and currently I’m a student in APU. and now I know you used to work in my university. Wish I could talk with you while you were still here..hahaha
Due to COVID, school like APU is likely to get negative impacts such as international students cannot come over to Japan. COVID has been a big headache, but APU is trying their best for students I think.
Ayyyye shoutout to fellow APU生 🎓🎉
Still the best video on youtube. I am now getting stuff ready to apply to APU and Waseda.
I'm currently studying grade 11, i have never thought that such univeristies existed, thanks for giving me a university recommendation to note!
I'm new to your channel and was surprised to hear you're from Redmond! I live in Washington and am trying to self learn Japanese myself. Your videos caught my eye so I decided to start watching a bunch of them. I'm kicking myself in the butt for shirking my Japanese language studies. I'm 28 now and I'm trying to relearn everything with lots of frustration. Your videos have been helping motivate me though. Thank you for all you do!
Beautiful beautiful and inspiring content. Thank you, Dogen. I wish to enrol next year 2022, September. This is enlightening. Thanks again.
If only I would have known about this option, when I was in high school. What an amazing opportunity.
え！一歩違えばAPU行ってた身からするとドーゲンさんが紹介してくれてうれぴい！
Amazing video, Dogen! I followed a very similar path as you (1-year at Sophia + 2 years of JET). Had I known there were reputable 4-year English language programs in Japan, I'd have strongly considered it. And as a note on Beppu, it's a really cool place! Thank you for highlighting this to the next generation!
Currently a 4th year student at APU from the US. University here so much cheaper than in the states, even if you don’t get a scholarship, which is just so nice. While APU might not be the best university out there, I would say that it’s a pretty alright place to be at and if you’re looking to widen your world view, you should definitely check it out (I can’t say too much experience-wise because I spent the majority of my time at APU locked down in my apartment or in the dorm thanks to COVID, but from the little I got to experience, it was quite nice). Also, we’re getting a revamp very soon, and so there’s some pretty cool stuff to look forward to. 👀 オススメです。
If I had known this 3 years ago I would be willing to bet I'd be studying there right now haha. Still glad I stayed here in Canada for Computer Science since it's not offered at APU. Hoping to do the JET Programme after graduation.
I went to APU and he is definitely legit about how living cost in Beppu could be very cheap. Back in the early 2010s, I shared a 3 room apartment with two other students. The apartment rent cost us 18,000 yen per month, hence each of us only paid 6000 yen lol. Seeing how in general the inflation is quite low in Japan, I guess the rent would be still around similar rate. Back then I was able to get a bento for 300 yen too lol. Ah I miss those good old Beppu days!
When I did a semester exchange at Meiji University in Tokyo, I was so jealous that some of my classmates were transfer students from a junior college in the US just like me. To think that I could have gone there full time and still get the financial aid from back home was mind blowing and I kind of wish I knew. Though that would have been for a more liberal arts degree as opposed to my engineering degree from the states. I feel a little more confident having job security with a Computer Science degree from back home, but man did it take so much longer.
i’m 17 and graduating in a few months and didn’t have any idea of how to get myself into a program like that so thank you!
I got told off on Reddit the other day for saying it's possible to go straight to university in Japan. Meanwhile there are amazing options like this!
I wish such information had been available when I was still studying.....
🤯 This information is mind blowing...thank you so much...you have helped me getting back on track to fulfilling my life long goal.
Thank you so mich for making this video! Im currently a sophomore and really want to study abroad in some way or another in Japan and APU sounded like an almost perfect fit... until you got to the section about the education topics. Unfortunately, im interested in studying chemistry 😥 but im glad you told us this bc i otherwise wouldve spent a lot more time and energy researching APUfurther just to fidn the same thing.
Man....wish this video had come out 11 years ago when I was graduating high school lol!
When you don't live in North America, so Japan is a lot more expensive than your country...
It's ok, I still will try to get a scholarship.
Super wish I had known about this 10 years ago
I watched the whole video and I liked to know about it. But, the title of the video isn't clear or flashy at all, I would suggest something like "How to start studying in a japanese university", or something like that. I didn't know what the heck was "Ritsumeikan APU" even though I knew you, but many people don't know who Dogen is, but could be interested in this subject
Wish I would have known! Would have seriously considered this.
Thanks for this. I was about to give up on American colleges and now I know there are other options without having to study abroad or master fluency of another language. I will definitely be applying to APM, but will also be researching other similar schools.
There is an 11 year old girl in my neighborhood who has a great interest in Japan who would be interested in this program! Thanks for the info!
You speak English so good!
huh? he is a native eng speaker...
英語上手
@@-toriizaka46 Yes, that was the joke.
I really want to go to Japan and study Japanese. This really helped, thanks dogan
Thank you so much! I have a lot of research to do now!
This is cool. I've already finished my bachelor's in the states but I did attempt to study abroad at ritsumeikan in kyoto (not APU). It's an opportunity I wish everyone who wants to have could have.
The hardest part about going to Japanese universities is that unless you already have money, your chances come down to whether or not you get a scholarship and whether or not it's a good enough one to cover what you need. There are a lot of universities with English-taught classes, but I would suggest anyone who is limited financially and may not be able to get scholarships, look into Temple University Japan (TUJ) which is located in Tokyo and shares a campus with Showa. As Dogen said, you'll be paying quite a bit more, but since it is a branch of Temple, which is American, they're the only school in Japan that accepts US Federal Financial Aid and loans which can also be used on living expenses which is INCREDIBLY helpful. With Tuition, rent, utilities, food, healthcare, and everything needed to survive included you're looking at about $30k per year in expenses, largely depending on your rent since the tuition is actually fairly priced. The majors are fairly broad, but if you're looking for a way into Japan as soon as possible and don't want to get your degree in America like me, I highly suggest considering them unless you need a specialized degree outside business.
The scariest part about moving for me was finances and just knowing I can use federal aid to help takes a huge load off my mind.
I can confirm. Currently studying at Kitakyushu, and I really did not expect the amount of people from my home country, to a point where I only rarely use English even, let alone practice Japanese, since I almost always see my people everyday, so we tend to just flock together. This of course, made the Japanese people, who, while they're studying in an international campus, isn't that well-versed in English, prefer to not interact with us, and just talk with their own.
Are you german by any chance? 😮
Damn, I thought you already at 1M subs, still underrated.
Dang. This is amazing. I wish I knew this 5 years ago before I went to college and wracked up a ton of debt in the States
Friggin heck, wish this had existed when I graduated high school, I would have gone in a half of a heartbeat. Do they do Masters Degrees perhaps?
Yes, and Japanese isn't required. Check out the Admissions website for more info.
This was useful for me... if it had been 10 years ago and I hadn't made some horrible life choices.
That said, anyone going for APU I wish you the best, and without sarcasm, enjoy the fact it's easier then ever to get into the Japanese education system,
though I do wish it was more advertised, I've never heard of this and it's been 21 years so far.
EYYYYYY APU 3rd year student right here 😂.
in such disbelief you worked there before and in great sadness knowing I could’ve met you
Hey,
I'm Highly considering APU and have few questions I would like first hand information on
Would you be willing to chat?
It can be any platform/social media you're comfortable with.
Thanks
@@awesome9650 sure be happy to help. tell me your messenger and I’ll add you
Man I wish I could even study in Japan for a year, due to covid and my completing degree, the best I can hope for is a month exchange for my Japanese Diploma
11:25 is the best moment ever... Wish I could experience that.
Dogenさん、やっぱりAPU出身? 確かに東京のキャンパスは事務局もあって小さかったよね。大手町だったかな？オープンキャンパスで説明会に行ったことあるんです。APUも良いけれど、AIUもオススメってここで言うのはあり❓I also recommend AIU in Akita prefecture . 秋田県の国際教養大学もオーキャン（open campus）年2回しかしてませんが、実際に行ってみたら良かったですね🧖☝️
Thank you so much for making this video! In a few months I will graduate from the university in my country where I'm studying Japanese and I have no idea what to do with my life after that. 😅
The most fascinating thing about this video to me is that you're from WA. Weird to think we might've been neighbors at one point
Sounds really awesome, I wish I could have gone (I went to Uni 11 years ago, so I didn't have the option, otherwise I'd have gladly taken it). Sadly, the cost for this is actually still higher than studying at most universities here in the UK (last time I checked, the charge cap over here is roughly £9,000 a year), so I find it very unlikely that regular students from here would get the chance to study over there.
Thanks. Unfortunately Ritsumeikan has limited capacity on engineering, so I recommend prospective MEXT applicants to look at Waseda instead.
Or you can obtain your BSc in Ritsumeikan and jump ship to better graduate schools.
@@lontongstroong I was talking about engineering. Also the majority of applicants for MEXT apply for Masters
@@B0XMATTER Sorry I meant B.Eng. I guess it's because its master's program, like many lower-rank and provincial universities in Japan, is so much easier to get into than that of top ranked programs, especially if the applicant's country's higher education system is in shambles or barely existent. But I know a lot of people (foreigners and Japanese alike) who started from these universities only to continue graduate school in higher ranked institutions.
Great info! I’d like to make a suggestion if I may. When I clicked on this video, I had no idea what it was about. The title is not very clear unless you are already familiar with APU. A more generic title would reach a lot more people who would benefit from all the great information you have provided. 😊
I’d love to go to Japan to do my Electronics Engineering degree. Then again I’m 35, so that may be difficult.
Got a mixed feelings with this video. Dogen is making me really looking forward my studying life but I still don't know how much longer I need to wait for entry ban to be lifted for international students while it's just less than a week from the start of the new semester... was supposed to study in Japan since last year.
But still, thank you so much for the very helpful and informative video.
Message the school if you haven't, I'm attending Temple University Tokyo this August and they've assured me exceptions are being made for incoming students, however I'm not sure if that's all schools or just for them
Definitely reach out to the school. It's a difficult and ever-changing situation.
@@Scopatone Thank you, already message the school and my embassy too. So far they only told me to please wait for a bit. I will begin online since I'm not allowed to defer anymore.
@@jp5055 Thank you, yeah I already message the school and my embassy too. I still need to wait while begin the class online from my home country.
@@May_Green It's not easy, but hang in there! Don't hesitate to reach out to someone if you're having a hard time. APU was able to help a lot of students last year, and I'm sure they'll do everything they can this year, too.
Man. I wish I knew about this before because I’m following down the same trajectory.
If you’re interested in studying in Japan, ICU is also a great option. Unlike other good universities with international courses, the whole school is pretty international and has an open campus like APU but in the Tokyo area with many courses. They have a great mandatory Japanese course regardless of your major and many classes in all majors are in English. The grad school is a bit weak but many go to the best schools in Japan and often abroad after their bachelors.
However, ICU is less diverse so I’ll call APU an international university and ICU one of the most international Japanese universities. Many of the Japanese students have overseas experience so it’s better than most other Japanese universities.
I’m an alumnus so I’m biased, but if you’re considering applying to APU then ICU would also be a great option. A bit more Japanese and in the Tokyo area, but maybe a bit more expensive overall.
Just to be clear, I have nothing against APU, but if you live abroad and consider studying in Japan an option, I just wanted to present other options.
Temple University in Tokyo is also a great option for those with more limited financials. They're not a top school, but they're the only school in Japan (to my knowledge) that allows the use of US Federal Financial Aid and Loans and that can be a HUGE saving grace. It's basically the only reason I can afford to go since I don't qualify for most school scholarship programs
@@Scopatone How much did you end up paying out of pocket? The website says it's ~$69,000 for four years (excluding living expenses). Do you work part time?
The prospect of studying in Japan would be nice, but being 18 with only 10k saved up makes it rough evaluate where (or how) to start and if it's even possible.
@@ScarletxP I'll only be there 2 years for my BA, so my total is $65k WITH living expenses included. I work full time now and by the time I move in August I'll have about $32k in savings and FAFSA is covering the other $30k'ish. Definitely weigh your options because you can't live on campus past your first semester and you still need to pay rent + other expenses on top of that tuition. Being on a student Visa, you're limited to part time work (30 hours I think) so the chances of being able to work your way through college over there is pretty small. It's a lot to think about and consider and definitely not the cheapest option, it took me almost 2 years of saving to be able to go.
Was there for a year, students are the best part by far. Favourite year pf my life however...I wouldn't recommend it if you genuinely care about academic quality. This doesn't include the Japanese language classes, they were top notch.