Study Japanese Abroad

Even being an island nation, Japan is as diverse as they come. Dense cities, sprawling national parks, impressive mountains, and thousands of shrines and temples make up the Japanese landscape. It’s hard not to be inspired by the combination of traditional beauty and cosmopolitan chic that permeates almost every aspect of life in Japan.

The people are another aspect that attracts both tourists and students in the hundreds of thousands every year who want to experience Japanese culture. The Japanese influence on film, literature, food, and design can be experienced almost anywhere in the world. It’s no wonder that studying Japanese in Japan is a popular choice amongst students.

Although difficult for students who only have experience in western languages, it’s not impossible. But students can speed up the process by applying for a Japanese language program in Japan, where they can be immersed in the language and culture. Those who achieve a Japanese degree are also setting themselves up for future success and possible work opportunities in Japan itself!

Best Japanese Degrees

The best Japanese degrees and Japanese language programs give students the opportunities to explore the language and express themselves from day one. With a native speaker as the teacher, students will also get first-hand knowledge of the nuances and intricacies of the Japanese language, adding a huge benefit to studying Japanese abroad in Japan.

A typical day in the life of a student studying Japanese consists of lectures where the student learns and practices all aspects of the language, including speaking, listening, and writing. The best Japanese language programs will also allow students to get out of the classroom and explore the country around them by going on field trips to museums, restaurants, or other places of interest.

Careers in Japanese

In today’s global environment, knowledge of a second or even third language is considered a high-value skill. Employers therefore put candidates at the top of the list if they have fluency in another language on their resume or CV. As a widely spoken language, especially in politics and trade, Japanese speakers are in demand.

Consider some of the following jobs that require Japanese:

• Conference interpreter
• Literary translator
• Medical interpreter
• Technical translator

Or, if it’s your goal to stay in Japan after your studies, then no matter where you decide to work you will need an advanced knowledge of the language.

Prerequisites for a Degree in Japanese

The best Japanese schools will often require that prospective students have demonstrated they have previously performed well in their classes. However, previous knowledge of Japanese is not mandatory if you want to start as a beginner. Both undergraduate and graduate students will have to provide a copy of their academic transcripts, along with any standardized test results.

If you wish to begin with upper-level Japanese classes, however, you may have to demonstrate your knowledge of the language through a spoken interview or placement test.