Japan exchange questions

[pixisticks]

Originally Posted by MMM

If housing isn't guaranteed, what do you do if you show up and they don't have housing?

Well, on the student exchange main page they say this:

Keio assists students in arranging accommodation in Japan. Students are provided with a room at one of the student dormitories subsidized by Keio University. In some dormitories, weekday meals are included in the fees.
Students are required to pay rent through automatic debiting from their bank account each month, but the first and the last month's rent must be paid in cash at the counter of the International Center. The rent charged to students varies from ¥44,000 ~ ¥65,200. Students will also be charged ¥20,000 maintenance fee on their first month's rent. Deposits and key charge are not required.

Note:

* Due to the current capacity of student dormitories, once you leave your originally assigned dormitory, you are not allowed to return to the room, or move to another Keio dormitory.
* Keio does not arrange or introduce a home stay program for exchange students.

But on the Keio university center for Japanese studies they say this:

2.Housing

Keio University has a small number of off-campus rooms for privately-financed international students. The monthly rent is about JPY 50,000-60,000. These rooms are about an hour away from Mita campus. Detailed room information is provided to successful applicants, although applicants should be aware that we cannot accept all room applications as this is a competitive procedure. Accordingly, privately-financed international students are expected to find housing on their own, in the event they cannot live in Keio University accommodations. Such students may need to ask for help from their guarantors, friends, or acquaintances living in Japan.
When students seek private housing in Japan, they will generally be required to have a “guarantor”. Usually students are also required to pay a rental deposit, key money and a real estate commission. This means, essentially, that students need to prepare for at least six (6) months rent simply to move in to your rental. As housing near the Mita campus tends to be quite expensive, most students prefer to live in more affordable areas that are about an hour away.

So I'm not quite sure which one is in regards to me. I'm really hoping it is guaranteed, though, because the closest friend I have lives in Nikko, unless I want to infiltrate my friend's house in Ikebukuro when she's not there and pretend to have become her. XD

Here are the websites I'm looking at, by the way:

Keio University International Center

and

Keio University Center for Japanese Studies

[alcachino33]

I might be at Keio for one semester spring 2010! As for the housing, I am not quite sure but I think you'll be part of the international center one, since those are dormitories and you are participating in an exchange through your university, is that correct? They have a dorm specifically for international students so I'm guessing they'll accommodate you in the dorms.

That aside, I'm finding all of this information very useful. I was wondering what I would do for a cell phone.

I'm also wondering...I'm guessing you need to open up a bank account in Japan and transfer your funds to that institution? Sorry, I'm a financial noob. I'm guessing that American cards don't work there? Or can you use say, your debit card just like anywhere else?

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by pixisticks

Oh yeah, that is really expensive. Getting a prepaid is probably a good idea, then.

The website kind of confuses me, though... the phone is only good for 60 days? After that, do I have to buy another one, or do I just buy more cards? And it costs 45 yen or 27 yen (depending on when you call) per 30 seconds for international calls, right? Sorry for asking so many questions, and thank you for the advice!

It looks like the credit you put towards the phone is only good for 60 days. So in other words, if you buy a 3000 yen card, you have 60 days to use it before it expires.

The international rates sound right but don't forget that incoming calls are free. If your parents use Skype to call you, it'd work out to 50 yen a day to keep your phone with no monthly charges.

Either way, visit the Softbank store near Harajuku when you arrive. They have several English speaking reps who could give you the best advice.

[pixisticks]

Originally Posted by spicytuna

It looks like the credit you put towards the phone is only good for 60 days. So in other words, if you buy a 3000 yen card, you have 60 days to use it before it expires.

The international rates sound right but don't forget that incoming calls are free. If your parents use Skype to call you, it'd work out to 50 yen a day to keep your phone with no monthly charges.

Either way, visit the Softbank store near Harajuku when you arrive. They have several English speaking reps who could give you the best advice.

Okay, I will definitely do that. Thank you so much!