Want to move in a couple of years.

[kvcnext]

Hello, first post.

Okay. So I am 16, female, and living in the UK. I have been to Japan twice (both times were for 2 weeks) and have visited Hokaido, Kanagawa, Tokyo, Osaka and Gifu. I have an interest in the culture, people, food, and the language.

I am training as an apprentice Cameraman and my boss has contacts and friends in Japan. He tells me he has spoked to them, and he has given me the oppertunity to work there for a year as a researcher. I'm working towards my Scholarship at the moment.

Obviously, I plan on this when I am 18. I know tads of Japanese- phrases, words I picked up, but I don't know a lot of it. I would like to have an N3 at least (preferably N2) under my belt before I go. I might possibly visit the country more before then. My boss will work out the visa troubles and such, but my main worries are the language, friends in Japan, and the like. So I have a few questions, which I hope you do not mind answering:

1: The language. 18 for me is two years away, but I have an understanding of the JLPT system. I also know Japanese is very different than English, but I'm wondering if I will be able to reach N3/2 before I go? I know the Kana are a start, and I've started on these and am making quick progress.

2: Friends in Japan. I would be based in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. I'd much prefer to speak as little English as possible, so native friends would be good, as I would also need help with things such as the hectic Shinjuku train system, and just genuinely shown the ropes. Finding them though...I was thinking, after learning more Japanese, joining a forum and looking around? What do you suggest?

And 3: Realistic. Is my plan okay? My boss thinks it would be a very good oppertunity for me, and that I would thoughroughly enjoy it. I too think so, as it's a culture and country I have always loved and would really like to learn more on. But I'm still young, and any information and advice I could get would be appreciated. Of course, I could wait until later than 18 if learning the language in 2 years is too hasty.

[Columbine]

Originally Posted by kvcnext

Hello, first post.

Okay. So I am 16, female, and living in the UK. I have been to Japan twice (both times were for 2 weeks) and have visited Hokaido, Kanagawa, Tokyo, Osaka and Gifu. I have an interest in the culture, people, food, and the language.

I am training as an apprentice Cameraman and my boss has contacts and friends in Japan. He tells me he has spoked to them, and he has given me the oppertunity to work there for a year as a researcher. I'm working towards my Scholarship at the moment.

Obviously, I plan on this when I am 18. I know tads of Japanese- phrases, words I picked up, but I don't know a lot of it. I would like to have an N3 at least (preferably N2) under my belt before I go. I might possibly visit the country more before then. My boss will work out the visa troubles and such, but my main worries are the language, friends in Japan, and the like. So I have a few questions, which I hope you do not mind answering:

1: The language. 18 for me is two years away, but I have an understanding of the JLPT system. I also know Japanese is very different than English, but I'm wondering if I will be able to reach N3/2 before I go? I know the Kana are a start, and I've started on these and am making quick progress.

2: Friends in Japan. I would be based in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. I'd much prefer to speak as little English as possible, so native friends would be good, as I would also need help with things such as the hectic Shinjuku train system, and just genuinely shown the ropes. Finding them though...I was thinking, after learning more Japanese, joining a forum and looking around? What do you suggest?

And 3: Realistic. Is my plan okay? My boss thinks it would be a very good oppertunity for me, and that I would thoughroughly enjoy it. I too think so, as it's a culture and country I have always loved and would really like to learn more on. But I'm still young, and any information and advice I could get would be appreciated. Of course, I could wait until later than 18 if learning the language in 2 years is too hasty.

You'd probably survive if most of the complicated things are set up for you by your work. One thing I would say is that reaching Ni-kyuu in two years is going to need your full-time attention and a LOT of hard work. Also a huge amount of natural skill in language acquisition. You can learn kana and hiragana in a week but the rest comes much more slowly. It takes most people doing a full-time university course for FOUR years to reach that kind of level, and not all of them make it. I would say san-kyuu is more realistic, but will still take an awful lot of work.

Depending on your job requirements, two years might well be too hasty. If you're expected to be able to communicate fluently in a japanese office enviroment then that's a really tough challenge. If you're only expected to be able to survive in daily life and get yourself around, you'll be fine.

Friends-wise, yes you can look on forums, but just remember you run the same risks as arranging to meet people you only know over the internet in your home country. Don't put yourself in a difficult situation. I made most of my friends once I got to Japan, I'm sure you will be able to as well. Don't forget, you might be working with Japanese people! No reason colleagues can't also be friends.