Questions about studying in japan (24 years old)

[MrPerson]

I have searched many sites and all over this forum. And anything close to an answer was for people 22 or younger on here... And im pretty sure that i have the answer to my own question. I just wanted to confirm it.

I am 24 (25 in October) and without going into too much wasteful detail, I'm an American and i would like to do some studying in japan. I don't want to live there. I just want to go there for maybe 6months to a year. My local colleges dont have a Japanese program. I know I'm running a bit behind for my age, but im 1 year into my degree. According to the Monbukagusho scholarships website i've pretty much missed my deadline for doing my undergraduates by 2 years along with language studies.

My reasons are simple. First off, I'm not going for some juvenile reason like anime. I don't even care for the stuff. I just want to experience japan and I feel that i cannot do that with a visitors visa as the time is much too short, and i dont have that kind of cash to cover the costs of just visiting. At least with a scholarship or some sort of financial aid, some or most of my costs are covered, which would be a big help.

Is my only option to wait and finish my 4 year degree and then maybe find a temporary job over there like teaching? Or is there something i may have overlooked?

I know that i can do post graduate studies on the scholarship, but with only knowing the most basic japanese, that would be impossible. So if i could, where would language studies come in?

again, most people on here wanting to go are 13 - 19. I'm only making this post because im 24 and i have not seen any posts for people beginning college post 22 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[MrPerson]

I guess my situation is a bit unique then? Anyone have any clue?

[MMM]

The JET program is for graduates under the age of 35, I believe. Japanese is not required on the job, but just be living in Japan you would pick up the language, and your colleagues would also include teachers of Japanese.

[samurai007]

University courses are difficult enough in your own language, why do you think you'll be able to understand and pass a class when you say you know only the most basic Japanese? I don't know of any Japanese university scholarships for foreigners, but if there are any, I'd suspect a basic requirement would be enough Japanese that you can understand the classes.

I thinkyour best bet is to finish university and then teach English, since then your knowledge of Japanese will be far less important. I didn't know any Japanese when I went on JET, but that just meant the kids and teachers had to speak English with me, which improved their vocabulary and confidence. However, I would have been completely lost trying to actually take a class that was taught in Japanese, except maybe something like art or maybe PE.

[wasabijuice]

My college didn't have a study abroad program with Japan so I chose another college's program. Most if not all credits will transfer. If you want to graduate from a Japanese University, then were talking about a totally different situation. Some programs that come to mind are,


The University of Utah - International Center - Study Abroad

THE JAPAN CENTER for MICHIGAN UNIVERSITIES

Academic Study Abroad Opportunities in Japan

is this what you are looking for?

[MrPerson]

Thanks for the info, and no im not looking to graduate from a japanese university. What im looking more for is to just spend 6months to a year there even if its just for taking language courses. but a scholarship or something would be necessary. Im just wondering if theres something im missing or didnt read right. or if my only option is to finish my degree and then teach english because im too old and probably dont qualify for the monbu.

Perhaps i will just have a better chance if i transfer to a different college somewhere else and study japanese for the next 3 years and then figure it out from there.