Viktor

22, Russia

What is your education level?

University

What is your current (or most recent) job?

Student

When did you apply to come to Japan originally?

15-Mar-2021

Why does studying Japanese in Japan mean so much to you?

I am a big adherent of what was previously known as Mass Immersion Approach (and AJATT which serves as the basis for MIA). Its principles allow one to reach quite high proficiency level in foreign languages without going outside of your house. However, lately I have begun to realize that in order to really get the hold of your target language and know all the small societal as well as cultural nuiances in terms of words, one simply must be THERE. In my case, it is Japan. Japan is a very rich in culture country. While books and other media provide the rough image on how things work there, you never get the proper grasp of things and the language. I aim for the near-native level proficiency and being in Japan is a must for me.

How do you think that as a student in Japan that you will add benefit to Japan society?

I have acquired my bachelor’s degree last year. I majored in Sociology. In my last year I went to Japan as an exchange student for 6 months and my sphere of interest got narrowed down to Sociology of Education. I would like to continue pursuing it with the focus on Japanese education. I am set to start studying in Kyushu University this April as a research student under the guidance of a well-known professor and researcher whose name I cannot disclose for privacy reasons. I believe that my “foreign” eye, or rather, point of view will help improve Japanese education. While many speak about how English education in Japan needs a drastic reform, I personally believe the problem goes beyond that. I had a chance to participate in the online classes of the aforementioned professor every week since January of this year and I got an impression that while I still may not have a solid understanding of how exactly the Japanese education works, my thoughts and occasional debates with other students in the class led to rather fruitful realizations for both me, and the students, and the teachers.

What will it mean to you if there is another delay for students to be able to come to Japan?

I will wait however much I have to. I am dead set on researching Japanese education. Other countries won’t do. I assume that in the worst case scenario students will be allowed a month or two after the Olympic games. That is truly an unpleasant thought. However, even more unpleasant is the thought of… if Japan really does decide to “filter” this way foreigners who simply cannot wait that long, I will need to re-consider my sphere of interest. Thank you.

Chamika, 30, Sri Lanka

I am waiting from April 2020 to get into my university as a self-financed student. April intake was postponed because of the corona situation. Then I was able to register for the September intake. However, because of COE delays, I couldn’t get in during the time Japan was open for students. My research is already on hold since I cannot perform the experiments needed for data acquisition. Because of this uncertainty, I now have to consider a Ph.D. topic change even after spending 8 months into my research. I left my previous job in 2019 January thinking I’ll be able to get in by April. Because I don’t know when Japan will start accepting students, I can’t apply for any other job positions either. There is a minimum contract period that I must complete before quitting all most all of the jobs. So my life is on hold since January of 2019. It is not an easy task to keep going [especially mentally] when you are already 30 and you have to depend on your parents for food and a roof over your head. At this point, I am prepared to accept any conditions imposed by the Japanese government if it means that I can start my research. Even something like quarantining in a paid embassy designated quarantine location in my home country before I come to Japan. So, total of one month quarantining is a possible action for me now at this point. That’s how desperate I am at the moment, and I know it would be same for many students who dreamt of studying in Japan. Another long delay will force me to drop my research dream and focus on a different path for the sake of my mental health alone.

July 16, 2021 No Comments

Giulia, 26, Italy

I have been studying Japanese for seven years. I spent the last year stuck at University, keeping paying taxes even if I finished all the exams in Winter 2020 just waiting for Japan to open and let me in, since I am trying to write my MA thesis regarding women contemporary literature in Japan.

May 27, 2021 No Comments

Lissette, 30, America

It is very important to learn first hand in Japan because it will let me keep pushing forward to learn. There is no better way to learn a language than in the country it comes from.

May 26, 2021 No Comments

John, 30, America

Studying in Japan has always been part of my dream. I wish to pursue not only studying and becoming fluent in Japanese, but to be able to build a life in Japan. I have visited many times and made many Japanese friends. Each visit has had a profound effect on my life, and I wish to be able to communicate fluently, in order to become a contributing member of Japanese society.

May 25, 2021 No Comments

Veronica, 25, Italy

I always dreamed of going to Japan as soon as I graduated in Japanese (which was last October). My goal is to improve the language, as I would like to become a translator in the future.

May 20, 2021 No Comments

Abhishek, 23, India

studying Japanese in Japan is means a lot to me because for me it’s always my dream to live and study in japan and experience their culture while enjoying student life which I always dreamed of.

May 20, 2021 No Comments