Advice needed for In-Country-Study year!!

[AlbenoWilsono]

Hey there guys, I'm new in town!

So from 2012-2013 I'll be studying in Japan as part of my degree and currently I am doing some research to figure out which university will best suit my goals/needs.

Universities I am currently considering:

1.Sapporo University - http://www.sapporo-u.ac.jp/
2. Hokkaido University of Education Hakodate Campus - http://www.hak.hokkyodai.ac.jp/
3. Hokkaido UoE Sapporo Campus - link as above
4. Gifu University GIFU UNIVERSITY

My goals:

1. Greatly improve all aspects of my Japanese
2. Develop a deep appreciation for contemporary Japanese society and culture
3. Develop a deep appreciation for traditional Japanese society and culture
4. Lay foundations for the pursuit of further studies in relation to Japan
5. Make friends (obviously)
6. Have fun:P

My preferences/facts about me:

- I hate hot weather, if you've ever been to Australia, you'll know what I'm talking about
- I prefer a mixed-gender environment
- I'm a male, 19 years old
- Don't want many opportunities to fall back on my English
- I love snowsports
- Prefer moderate rent, 15-30,000 yen/month
- Gym junky, exercise facilities are a must
- No problem with being out of my comfort zone as far as food goes

Particularly useful to me would be information regarding any of the Japanese learning programs offered by these universities to English-speaking foreign students as my university doesn't have much info regarding this.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated guys and girls,

thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MMM]

Rent for 15,000 to 30,000 yen a month? I know it is cheaper in the country, but that is hard to imagine. There is no place in America I can think of with rent for $200 a month.

[AlbenoWilsono]

Originally Posted by MMM

Rent for 15,000 to 30,000 yen a month? I know it is cheaper in the country, but that is hard to imagine. There is no place in America I can think of with rent for $200 a month.

I was thinking more along the lines of student dorms. A lot of people that have come back from ICS in Japan (from my university) report rent between 15-30,000 yen in the Hokkaido area.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by AlbenoWilsono

I was thinking more along the lines of student dorms. A lot of people that have come back from ICS in Japan (from my university) report rent between 15-30,000 yen in the Hokkaido area.

Aha...not really "rent" then but dorm fees. A great deal if you can get it.

[AlbenoWilsono]

Tl;dr guys?

Nobody has anything to say about Sapporo or the universities there?

[Nyororin]

My knowledge of the foreign community in Hokkaido leads me to think that there would be more than ample opportunity for you to fall back on English. Not having actually ever been up there, I can`t say anything reliably or from personal experience... But it does seem that there is a large and active expat community. Not to mention that Hokkaido tends to list pretty high on the "where I want to live in Japan" list foreign teachers and students come up with.

Gifu is a fairly nice place. Not a large foreign community - and certainly not a popular place - but very convenient and a great hopping off point for visiting pretty much anywhere else in Japan. It can be very hot, or pretty cool - just depends on where in the prefecture you live. As far as living costs go, you can indeed get a one room tiny apartment for that type of rent.

[gino510]

Hi AlbenoWilsono,

I studied in Hokkaido University for my doctorate and postdoc. I can say that the Uni is very friendly and great. I had been there for more than six years and it was so much fun to stay. I like the long winter. As a matter of fact, I wrote a book about my life as an international student there. Many friends use the book to know more about what their life will be if they study in Japan. You might be interested to know about it, "JAPAN Lights and Shadows". Visit this link: JAPAN Lights and Shadows - By Gino C. Matibag M.D., PhD

Good luck to your studies!

Gino C. Matibag, MD PhD