#wassup-from-waseda

12/21/2018

An overview:

  • Tips for applying to Japan and transitioning

  • What to expect

  • The experience

  • Recommendations

My writing will primarily be focused on Waseda University. Situated in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Waseda University is one of the best private universities in Japan, ranking first in social science and second in natural science and engineering. Waseda University is well known for having a myriad of international students with diverse ethnicities. The two other well-known universities in Japan are University of Tokyo and Keio University.

Like any other Japanese universities, Waseda University's application process requires offline work. This means that after completing the application process through the site (www.application.waseda.jp for Waseda), everything must be printed out physically. The printed out materials need to be sent through express mailing service.

There are two major departments that are taught in English: the School of Political Science and Economy (PSE) and the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS). The most popular department among international students is SILS. Before applying to the SILS program, you have to decide which study plan you are going to take. SP1 is for the Japanese and SP2 for English-speakers. SILS, unlike PSE, has no major in the beginning. Students may test out different subjects, which includes economics, business, international relations, history, biology, astronomy, computer sciences, and many others. After the first semester, a student may choose a concentration program. Even though the concentration program is chosen, the student may study other unrelated courses. There are a few required courses students must take: statistics, Japanese, English, and third language. Statistics class is divided into two difficult levels: A and B. Language courses can be exempted by taking a language proficiency test; Waseda University supports around 22 languages.

One of the reasons that make Waseda University one of the best schools in Japan is that Waseda has a really good relationship with other universities around the world. As a student at Waseda University, you can go to any university around the world for a year through a study abroad program. The universities include, but are not limited to, Oxford University, New York University, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technology University, Seoul National University, KAIST, Yale University and University College London. UCL, NYU, NUS, NTU and other universities are free to study abroad at because Waseda University pays for its students; however, the Waseda University tuition fee is to be paid during the school year. Furthermore, it is possible to get a double degree by studying in NUS and NTU. (And your parents will love Waseda because Waseda has the shortest break from all other universities in Japan or any other countries.) 


Waseda University and the Japanese government work hard to attract international students. Waseda alone has more than 100 type of scholarships for international students. The Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO) department provides international students with money to live in Japan. In my case, I receive around 500 US dollars to live in Japan every month for 6 months and 5000 dollars annually from the school for two years. Additionally, if you are a Korean, your student visa is free.

Life in Japan without a single knowledge of Japanese is very difficult because the majority of the popular does not speak English. Therefore, I really recommend living in the dormitory for the first year because your roommate and college-mates can help you to adapt to Japan and assist you in academic life.

Life in Japan is very different from life in Cambodia. Here are some interesting things I've learnt about Japan:


1. The price of living in Japan is incomparably higher than Cambodia. When buying something in Japan, you should always multiply the price written on the label by 1.08 because Japan charge taxes on everything.


2. There are three different modes of transportation in Japan as a student: walking, biking and public transportation. Public transportation is really expensive. I usually walk an hour from my place to the school every day from Monday to Saturday. Biking is an alternative way, which, in my case, save me 30 minutes.


3. People think it snows in Tokyo - it doesn't. It rarely snows; maybe once in a few years. I hope it snows this year though!


4. People think Japan is a really developed place, but it's caught in the middle. You can live in 1900s and 2000s at the same time.


5. There is no credit or a debit card system in Japan. The creating process is really
complicated so everything is done in cash and a prepaid wallet that can be bought at a Kombini.


6. Japan doesn't use signatures in bank but rather, uses a personal stamp.


7. Most of the school work is done offline. Logos uses more computers than Waseda
University. A lot of people don't bring computers to a school or don't even own one.


8. Moreover, Japanese buildings are very small; I've not seen any department store bigger
than Aeon 2 yet.


9. Japan's legal drinking age is 20, so you will have at least one more year without alcohol if you come to Japan- this means that you can be spiritually mature like me for one more year.

There are so many things to do in Japan with your friends. You can sing for five hours in the karaoke for ten dollars, including drink price. You can hike in Takaosan or go to the Japanese traditional garden in autumn. You can go to Kanda river in spring to watch cherry blossom. Harajuku and Akihabara are some places young people visit.

(Warning! I am never biased!) Here is just a short explanation of other universities. Keio is Waseda's biggest rival. Keio students get to rest on Sokei sen (Waseda vs Keio sports events), but Waseda doesn't rest. I should have applied to Keio. Keio is well known for law and accounting and medicine. University of Tokyo is public university and is the best in Japan; however, its buildings are old and aesthetically terrible. Hosei University is also famous university. The mentioned universities all provide English programs, however, Waseda is known to have best English programs. Therefore I recommend that you apply to Waseda.

Some very useful tips:
1. Apply to dormitory: I didn't, so I'm currently suffering... I have to walk 30 minutes just to meet my friends. I also have to walk one hour to school or bike for 30 minutes.
2. Don't take too many credits: I took the maximum credits, which means I have too many essays and midterm exams. I go to school everyday from 8am to 6pm, from Monday to Saturday.
3. Living in Japanese houses is cold in winter. It is colder than the outside temperature. However, dorms are warm.


If you have any questions, you can contact me here:
taejogmin@asagi.waseda.jp  

- Kyungmin Park, Class of 2018