Thomas De Wandelaer writes: "In this initial project you will focus on trying to understand what studying abroad actually means, by identifying your own academic interests and skills, in addition to thinking about how to connect those interests and skills with study abroad opportunities; either short-term or long-term. After considering the options that might me best for you, you will research a first country/society/city where you would like to study and try to build a picture of what studying abroad feels like. Investigating the lived and everyday side of studying abroad, you will learn about some of cultural, linguistic, and social challenges you might face and acquire a better understanding of what studying abroad means beyond classrooms, libraries and teachers. The project will result in your production of a presentation describing how you visualize your own personal study-abroad project experience."
These links provide many questions for you to start thinking about studying abroad and about some basic decisions to make so that you can get started on planning your studies outside Japan.
To develop your plans for studying abroad, it's helpful to consider what your environment will be like, and how you can live independently in that new environment. The information and questions on this page will help you to think through different matters that you need to take care of.
Living in a city or in the countryside can make a big difference financially (for example, the cost of living may be lower in a countryside context) and socially. Imagine the difference between living in Tokyo and a rural city in Japan. The situation might be more or less the same abroad, but of course most cities will be smaller than Tokyo. This website, for example, shows the cost of living in London and Leeds in the UK: リーズ大学 留学中の生活費
>>> What questions do you have about the cost of living for students in the country you plan to go to?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
Some universities have their own on-campus accommodation. These are known as 'student residences', 'halls of residence', or 'dorms'. These two URLs provide general information about student accommodation in the UK and USA:
As you search for universities where you can go and study, you also can check what kind of accommodation each university offers by looking through their website.
>>> What questions do you have about student accommodation?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
Many universities welcome international students and provide clear information and support. This helps to make your preparation, study, and stay a comfortable and positive experience for you. In deciding your destination, it is good to check what kind of information and support are offered by asking questions like these:
>>> What kind of information is provided for international students?
>>> Does the information deal with the questions that I have?
>>> Are there easy-to-find systems of support and advice for international students?
>>> Does the support and advice deal with the questions that I have?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
>>> What advice about studying is provided?
You should be able to find lots of information about everyday life in the country that you go to. University websites may also provide such information. For example, these links from the University of Manchester (England) provide information for international students about finance, opening a bank account, and cost of living.
>>> What questions do you have about day-to-day life in the country that you plan to go to?
>>> Where you can find information to answer your questions?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
An important part of your everyday life abroad is communicating with friends and family in Japan, and also being able to communicate with people in your new environment. Be sure to check carefully what the wifi conditions are where you live and where you study. University websites can help you get useful basic information about communications such as web/email, postal services, and telephone services. For example, this link from the University of Manchester (England) explains to international students how they can keep touch without spending too , whereas this link from the American University in Washington D.C. provides advice and information about information technology for new students.
>>> What questions do you have about everyday communications in the country that you plan to go to?
>>> Where you can find information to answer your questions?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
Another important part of your everyday life during study abroad is having regular meals and eating a healthy diet. Different countries and regions have different styles or habits of eating. Also trying traditional food, which you can do only outside Japan, would be a precious experience and help you understand different cultures. For example, this website covers food in the UK from eating culture to traditional meals. Even if you miss Japanese food, you may be able to overcome your longing by visiting a Japanese restaurant or buying Japanese food in a local supermarket. This blog written by a female university student describes her daily food issues in the US. Many blogs written by Japanese people who are living abroad show their experience of traditional meals, as well as where they shop for food and and what they buy as local and Japanese food. These blogs may also include popular restaurants for university students or Japanese people, which might be good to look into before leaving Japan. Please also check Customs and Quarantine regulations about taking food with you from Japan - to do this, use relevant government or embassy websites like this one from the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.
>>> Will you have to cook for yourself, or will your residence provide meals for you?
>>> What are traditional meals in the country where you are going to study?
>>> Are supermarkets or restaurant available near to the university campus and/or where you will be living?
>>> From when and until what time are local supermarkets open?
>>> What days are they open on? And what holidays are they closed on too?
>>> Do you want to take some of your favorite foods from Japan? If so, have you checked whether you are allowed to bring them into the country you are going to - or are they prohibited?
There will be many ways to go to the university from your residence, and to go on trips as well. You will need to decide the best way for your daily mobility. It might be using a bus, riding a bicycle, or walking. For example, in England, many students buy bus passes (for 1 semester/ the whole academic year) to go to university, or they walk or ride a bicycle. They can buy a bus pass at the Student Union, which is like the co-op at Chuo, and it is often located on the campus. In addition, students in the UK book train or coach tickets for traveling in advance because it is much cheaper than buying on the day. This is another point that is good to check in the country that you go to. In some countries, getting a driver's license may be useful in terms of cost and time. Here are some links for quickly checking basic information about transportation in different countries.
>>> How will you get to university each day?
>>> Are there any student discount passes for using public transportation in your host country?
>>> Where can you find information about these questions?
>>> What type of transportation will you use for visiting places that are further away?
When you live and study abroad, you are in a different environment from what you are used to. In such a situation you will experience many differences, and this can create stress and confusion. This is called 'culture shock'. Culture shock is a common experience for many people who live and study abroad. There's no shame in experiencing culture shock: It's a healthy reaction, and you can learn from it and get used to living in a new environment. These links can help you learn what culture shock is and how you can adjust to it.
Culture Shock Studying Abroad - How to Survive Cultural Experiences
Culture shock for international students (University of Warwick, England)
Culture shock for international students (University of Canberra, Australia)
>>> What questions do you have about culture shock?
>>> What actions can you take to deal with culture shock?
You will probably being feeling excited and also a little nervous about moving to a new country and living and studying there. Remember that many other students will be feeling the same as you and that getting to know other people and making friends is a important part of university life. As an international student, you may find that it is much easier to make friends with other international students than with local students, and that it requires more effort to meet and make friends with local students. You have many different options here. You could join some student clubs or circles to widen your interests and extend your network of friends. You might play some sports and find other students you can do sports with. It might also be possible for you to find shared accommodation on campus where you, other international students, and local students share living facilities. There may be some volunteer opportunities that you can try too.
These links can help you prepare for making a new network of friends when you go abroad.
11 Ways to Make Friends When Studying Abroad How to Make Friends Abroad
How to make lifelong friends during your semester/year abroad
【留学先で試したい！】友達の作り方と交友関係の広げ方 大学での友達の作り方
Meeting people and making friends (University of Deakin, Australia)
>>> What questions do you have about making friends in a new environment?
>>> What actions can you take to make friends when you study abroad?
>>> Does the university that you are planning to go to offer shared accommodation for international and local students?
Studying at universities means that you meet people from many different backgrounds - with different languages, ethnic and racial identities, from different social and economic classes, with different religious beliefs and practices, different genders, different sexual orientations, different physical abilities, and ages. There may be other meaningful social categorizations that you need to recognize where you study abroad. As you meet people and talk with people at university, it is of course important to treat others as equal and with respect; it is also important to remember that, in every society and community, different individuals and minorities may face discrimination, exclusion, and prejudice. These links from some universities in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA provide a range of guidelines and tips for you to explore:
Diversity and Identity Abroad | Study Abroad | The University of Chicago
University of Concordia, Canada: Supporting diversity on campus
University of Sydney, Australia: Welcoming all is part of our culture
Yale University, USA: Diversity & Inclusion | Study Abroad | Yale University
>>> What do you understand by the term 'multiculturalism'?
>>> What issues of diversity are you interested in?
>>> What conditions make people get included or excluded in different communities?
>>> Where can you find more information about multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion & exclusion at the university/universities that you are planning to go to?
In a foreign country, you have to pay attention yourself to your personal security. You can check the situation in different countries by referring to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 外務省 海外安全ホームページ
>>> What questions do you have about personal security?
>>> Where you can find information to answer your questions?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
In an unfamiliar environment, you may feel more stress than in Japan. Moreover, there are different health risks and common illnesses in different countries (including Japan!). You can find some useful information from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website here: 厚生労働省 海外で健康に過ごすために
>>> What questions do you have about taking care of your health?
>>> Where you can find information to answer your questions?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?
Make sure you have a passport which is valid for the period that you will study abroad. As studying abroad involves a long period in the host country, host countries will require you to have a visa. This is commonly a stamp put on your passport for permitting your entry and period of stay in that country. Other requirements such as your language competence or an acceptance letter from your host university may depend on (a) how long you are going to stay, (b) which country you are going to, and (c) what type of visa you apply for. Check out the details on the website of the country's embassy as soon as possible because it often takes several weeks to get a visa. It may also be helpful to contact the embassy directly by phone or email to be absolutely sure about what you need to do to get your visa.
>>> Do you have a passport?
>>> If yes, until when is it valid?
>>> If not, how do you apply for one and how long will a passport application take?
>>> What type of visa you will need?
>>> What do you need to prepare for your visa application?
Note: THIS AREA OF INFORMATION IS ALWAYS CHANGING. INFORMATION FOUND HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE, LIKELY TO BE FOUND ON THE RELEVANT EMBASSY WEBPAGE.
In case of emergency, you may need to know how to contact the local consul. Check this link: 外務省 在外公館ホームページ
>>> What emergencies might you face?
>>> What can you do to be prepared for those emergencies?
>>> Where can you find information to help you prepare?
>>> Is the information trustworthy or not?
>>> Is the information up to date or not?