Could you please tell me about the climate and temperature in Japan?
Japan has four distinct seasons. Summer time
is very hot and humid; the winter is very cold and dry; but depending on the
city and time of year, climate and temperature can vary drastically. Our school
is located in Tokyo, and the average high is 31.1 C, and the average low is 2.5
C. With such drastic temperature changes, it’s important that you mind your
health and dress accordingly as not to catch a cold.
It's my first time coming to Japan. I am kind of nervous because I don't any friends or acquaintances, and don't know anything about Japanese mannerisms and general rules...I
Here at school, we have staff
members who speak English, Chinese, and Korean, so if you have any questions,
feel free to speak with us at any time. We also have past graduate students
working at our school, providing support for students whose main language is
not English, Chinese, or Korean. Also, before the school semester begins, we
hold a school orientation, speaking and explaining about many topics relating
to life in Japan, rules, mannerisms, and many other general topics students
would benefit from knowing. Once school has begun, while communicating with
each student individually, student’s homeroom teachers and office staff members
will conduct counseling, discussing with students and providing advice for
things related to school life, as well as living in Japan and life outside class.
It's my first time living abroad, and I am a little nervous...
For the sake of the students, our
school is always prepared for the occasion. Students can come speak with staff
members regarding any concerns they have at any time. Also, student’s homeroom
teacher, and well as school counselors provide support and are available to
consult with students about living in Japan and other lifestyle-related issues.
If you are experiencing any sort of problem, or simply feel slight discomfort
about anything at all, please don’t hesitate to speak with us here in the
office. Also, students living in school affiliated dormitories may discuss
anything with the head of the dormitory or upper classmen living in the same
dorm. They will surely provide you with advice of some sort.
What happens in the situation that I become ill or get hurt while I am living in Japan?
Our school has a nursing room, so in the case
that you become ill or get hurt, students can receive temporary medical
attention. If your medical conditions become more severe and require further
medical care, one of our staff members will assist you to the hospital in you
doubt your Japanese language skills.
Is there a health insurance system available for foreign exchange students?
There is health
insurance available in Japan called the National Health Insurance, and students
holding a student visa are eligible to apply for health coverage. In order to
receive your insurance card, please go to your nearest city hall or ward
office, begin the process, fill out the application, and receive your card from
the health insurance counter. The benefits of being enrolled into the National
Health Insurance system is that you only need to pay 30% of any medical bills
you receive. For example, you receive a medical bill of 10,000 Japanese yen.
Students enrolled in health insurance will only need to pay 3,000 Japanese yens’
worth of the medical bill.
At the hospital, do they speak any language other than Japanese?
There are some hospitals
that also provide services in English, Chinese, and Korean. If necessary, one
of our staff members will assist you to the hospital.
Approximately how much does one months' worth of living cost in Japan?
Depending on living conditions
and circumstances, as well as one’s personal usage of money, cost can vary so
drastically that it is impossible to provide you with a generalized amount.
According to the survey of actual living expenses for foreign exchange students
living in Japan conducted by the Japanese Student Services Organization (JASSO)
in 2009, the excluding school tuition, the national average monthly living
expenses for foreign exchange students was 88,000 Japanese yen. What’s included
in this amount is 34,000 JPY for monthly rent, 26,000 JPY for food, 12,000 JPY
for other daily necessities, 8,000 JPY for electricity, gas, and water, and
another 8,000 for hobbies and entertainment. Apartments located in central
Tokyo are much more expensive compared to the price of the national monthly
rent that JASSO provided. However, living in one of our school-provided
dormitories can help reduce the cost of your monthly living expenses while
living in Japan.
Can I receive a student discount for my bus or train pass?
Yes, you can receive a student
discount for your bus/train pass through our school. Compared to regular
transportation fees, having a student discounted train pass allows for much
cheaper transportation to and from school. Many students aren't really aware of
the huge difference it may make when choosing between a school that does
provide student discounted transportation passes, and a school that doesn't.
For example:
From
Takadanobaba station (our school’s
location) --- to Shiki station
(located 29 minutes away from school)
(as
of October, 2012)
The
normal price for a one-way ticket costs 430 JPY (round trip costs 860 JPY)
The
normal price for a six-month train pass would cost 80,740 JPY
The
student price for the same six-month pass would cost 33,950 JPY
Students
can save 46,790 JPY every six months, and 93, 580 every year, simply by
receiving a student discount!
How should I go about spending my free time after class and on the weekends?
東okyo is a massive political and
cultural city in Japan, filled with things like art exhibits, museums, cultural
institutions, and tourist spots. Not only are students able to study Japanese,
there are also many events and opportunities to experience Japanese culture in
many places held throughout daily Japanese life. Takadanobaba (our school’s
location) is located in an extremely convenient area, full of many
easy-to-get-to tourist sites. Also, students with a student train pass can come
and go free of charge to any train station that is located in between
Takadanobaba and the local train station nearest your home.
Can you tell me about Japanese's public transportation system?
There is an intricate train,
subway, and bus system all throughout the city of Tokyo. Purchasing train/subway/bus
tickets or purchasing an IC card and recharging it with transportation funds are
the most common method of paying for transportation. Since IC cards can be used
for all methods of transportation, we strongly recommend you buying an IC card
the moment you arrive in Japan.
There are two types of IC cards
in Tokyo:
SUICA Card: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/s_users_guide.pdf
PASMO Card: http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en
Can I work a part-time job?
For those holding a student visa, students who received work
permission either at the airport upon arrival into Japan, or received work
permission from the Japanese Immigration Office may work up to 28 hours a week
(while school is in session). However, even though one receives work permission
in Japan, there are still regulations on which type of jobs students can and
cannot do.
It will become much easier to get
a part-time job in Japan if you can speak Japanese, so first, students should
diligently study
Japanese, and
then begin searching for a job. However, a
part-time job is ultimately something that can supplement your living expenses,
and the
main
priority of a student is to study and do well in school. It would
probably be good to make sure you have enough money for living
expenses
before
coming to Japan.
Please know that our school will
not introduce to you any part-time opportunities, and we will not grant work
permission to
students here
as temporary visitors.
The average hourly wage in Tokyo
is approximately 850 JPY (as of October 2012).
How do I get a cellular phone in Japan?
For students who come to Japan on a student visa, once you obtain
your residence card and a credit card, you can make a cellphone contract.
What is the best way to bring money to Japan?
The most easiest and
popular way is through making a Japanese bank account, and withdrawing money
from a Japanese ATM, or simply withdrawing from any ATM that accepts
international cards (such as the yucho post office ATM). Just to be sure, we
highly suggest that you prepare a credit card prior to coming to Japan. It is
possible to make international withdrawals at any Japanese ATM with “Plus”, “Citrus”,
or “Visa” written on it.
Are school dormitories available?
Yes, we provide student
dormitories. All of the dorms that we provide are furnished and include meals,
as well as a dormitory leader and dormitory superintendent available for
assistance and advice, so students can relax and begin their life abroad
without any worry. Also, there are many students coming from a variety of
countries all gathered and living in the same dormitories, so students have
many opportunities to make new friends, as well as improve their Japanese
skills. Before you know it, you will be speaking Japanese in no time.
Do I have to live in the dorms provided by the school?
No, you do not need to
live in the dorms provided by the school. You may also rent an apartment through
any general real estate agent is you so choose. However, down payments and key
deposits can become expensive, and in certain situations, you will have to
provide a Japanese joint surety in order to contract an apartment. By staying
in the school dorms, not only can you avoid paying these expensive fees and the
trouble of finding a join surety, you will also receive furnished rooms, meals
every day, and a dorm leader and superintendent are available to help you if
you have any questions or issues. Students can begin their life abroad relaxing
and worry-free through living in the dormitories provided through our school.
How far are the dormitories from school?
Since our school is
located in the center of Tokyo, you will have to commute to school a ways by
train. Japan has one of the most organized public transportation systems in the
world, so there is no necessity to worry about the school commute.
How much does the transportation fee to school cost?
Tokyo has very
convenient and extremely developed means of transportation, but to some, it may
be a rather confusing transportation system. Transportation price not only
depends on distance and time traveled, but also on which train company you use.
A one month train pass may cost anywhere as low as 3000 Japanese yen, to as
high as 7000 Japanese yen, but depending on the location in which you live,
prices may drastically vary.
Can I accommodate my friends in my dorm room?
Due to regulations of dormitories, allowing a friend to stay in your dorm room is not
permitted. If your friends or family come to temporarily stay in Japan, they
will have to make arrangements for staying someplace else other than your
living quarters.
Is there internet available in the dormitories provided by your school?
Most of the dormitories
we provide come with either cable or wireless internet. However, facilities
vary from dormitory to dormitory, so please double check prior to choosing a
dormitory.
Other than the dormitories your school provides, can I receive any help from you in finding another place to live?
If it’s necessary, we
can suggest some real estate agencies to you.
Can I get your school to act as my joint surely when I settle a contract for may apartment?
Under no circumstances,
the school will not act as your joint surety. However, if you enroll into a warranty/guarantee
association through the real estate agency, there is no need to provide a joint
surety.
Can I use electronic products that I bought in may country in japan?
When bringing electronic products
from your country to Japan, please check the voltage and electrical plug type.
If your country’s voltage and plug type varies from Japanese voltage and plug
type, you should probably prepare a voltage converter and plug adapter.
(Japanese voltage is 100V, and the plug is type A).
