Studying Abroad

Just recently I've been trying to get serious about studying abroad in Japan. I'm not quite sure how to go about it other than already attending college. I plan on attending this fall, I imagine I should take Japanese classes as well.

Go to a college that offers study abroad to Japan. If you really want to learn Japanese, learn Japanese for more than just anime. Learn it so you can be a more well verse person

I studied abroad while I was in college and I absolutely loved it! Are you currently enrolled in college or are you still thinking about which college you want to apply for? If so then I would suggest trying to study Japanese on your own for a little bit to help get your feet wet before enrolling in a Japanese college course. Here are the textbooks that I used when I was studying Japanese: http://www.amazon.com/GENKI-Integrated-Elementary-Japanese-English/dp/4789014401/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430423545&sr=8-1&keywords=genki+japanese http://www.amazon.com/Genki-Integrated-Elementary-Japanese-Workbook/dp/478901441X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y I would also recommend checking out this website as it is free and will help you understand the basics of the Japanese Language: https://www.nihongomaster.com/ Before I studied abroad, I took a year's worth of Japanese language courses, volunteered as a foreign exchange student conversation partner, and attended my college's "Sakurabu" club where I was able to befriend and socialize with students from Japan and students like me who also wanted to study abroad. When the day finally came for me to study abroad, I had a decent amount of Japanese vocabulary and sentence structure memorized and had many friends that I met in my Japanese classes and clubs to study abroad with. I was also able to meet up with some of the Japanese students I spoke with in my Sakurabu club and they helped show us around the city. Although I was not yet at the level to be able to deeply engage in conversation with most of the Japanese natives I met, I was still able to make simple conversation and navigate myself around the city. Anyway, if you are thinking about studying abroad, I would suggest to look for an affordable university that offers Japanese language classes and study abroad programs. In the mean time, try to invest in a Japanese language textbook or website and study on your own here and there so you won't be too overwhelmed on your first day in your Japanese class. Also try to make a good relationship with your Japanese instructor and let him/her know about your interest in studying abroad in Japan and then maybe he/she can give you some advice or tell you about some useful programs to look into. Lastly, look into joining Japanese clubs in your college or community to join to help meet some new friends who also wish to study abroad in Japan or make connections with people from Japan. I hope this helps, good luck. :)

Take a look at Temple University in PA they have their own campus in Japan dubbed TUJ. They have summer programs. If you're taking Japanese courses at your current college and are doing really well on becoming friends with professors, try applying for the CLS scholarship and/or try to get ideas from those professors as well. Your Uni or college should have some connections. I know Ritsumeikan APU is very popular for study abroad. Some kids from my Japanese program at my old Uni found their own summer intensive/cultural programs through different schools and were able to get college credit for attending there after talking to both schools...I believe one place was called MLC Japanese Language Center... Taking Japanese courses at your current school is highly recommended to look good on applications, definitely become buddies with all your language professors!

Be sure you actually know what you're getting into know the customs and traditions Try to learn as much as you can about the school and area you will be living, some schools in japan are what we consider 'all week' including Sundays