Learn Japanese in JAPAN! | 1.5 Years in Language School | My Experience at GenkiJacs, Fukuoka

[@KhrisAsaurus]

This is an underrated video! Thank you very much for breaking down the whole process! 😁

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thank you for your kind words, glad you found it helpful ☺️

[@yo2trader539]

I have no desire to discourage anybody from studying in Japan. This is only my personal opinion based on observing many of the Japanese Descendants who arrive in Japan without any formal Japanese language training. While we do see some foreigners arriving in Japan without any Japanese language skills, I think it would be more efficient and easier if you could acquire minimum N4 or N3 fluency in your home countries (if that's a possibility), even before you come to Japan for language school. The pace of absorption is so much faster as everything clicks faster. You would already be familiar and comfortable with Japanese phonetics, grammar, vocabulary, and expressions. Daily life in Japan will be so much less stressful too, whether visiting hospitals, renewing visas, or in part-time work. I tend to view language studies as a layer cake. You can make N5 and N4 level in your home countries. N4 is about 8 or 9 year old level for a native speaker. Japanese universities generally require N2 or higher for full-time international/foreign students, which is minimum business-level fluency. I'm most impressed by the those who have studied Japanese and Japan-related subjects in Eastern Europe and Russia. Their understanding of Japanese language, culture, history, mindset and mannerism is so good, it's unbelievable. Later, I learnt that in top universities in Eastern Europe and Russia, Japanese and Japan-related subjects were taught in Japanese language by Japanese expats.

[@Shun19-g8z]

Great comments. How long would a person need to pass in N2 if starting an intensive (3 hours in class with 2 hours with homework) Japanese course with N3 before going to Japan? One year is enough!!!??? Thanks

[@tiffanyhp7]

THIS is the video I was looking for!!! Wow!! Soooo much valuable information and so thorough!! Like you explained this so thoroughly that I could almost picture the steps you took when you described your experience!!! Thank you so much for this! VERY underrated video and I hope it gets more attention soon. Definitely following. You’re very good at explaining things. And congratulations on passing your N3 and N2!! I know it was 1+ years ago but still! Yay you!! You’re living the dream! I’m just worried about finances. Like I wonder about how people are able to just quit their job and move to Japan on a student visa. I figure they must have saved 20K or so or are working remotely maybe? That’s the only thing I wish I knew, was how people do this financially for day to day expenses. But seriously, thank you so much for this invaluable information! ❤

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thank you for watching! It has been a really great experience and I'm thankful for the student visa route. Costs can be expensive especially for school and housing, but prices differ a lot depending on which school you choose and which region you live in. (Daily life in Tokyo is more expensive than in smaller cities like Nagoya and Fukuoka) Since you can't work that much as a student (and wages are pretty low), the more you can save up beforehand, the easier it will be. I just posted this video about all the expenses relating to language school, so you can see it for a better idea of what's involved. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared Good luck on your journey too!

[@yigitdesu]

your voice tone is so great that i didnt even have a hard time while watching this, thank you.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thank you!

[@joannayona]

Thanks so much for sharing! The info that's out there is pretty daunting, but you broke the process down so clearly and succinctly. ありがとうございます！

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

So glad you found this helpful! I’m working on another video and blog post to share more about the experience so I hope it will be helpful too 😁

[@phylocybe_]

I just started the application process for the same school you went to so this video was very helpful! Hopefully all goes well and the world does not end before I can go!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Wow that’s exciting! Covid wasn’t able to stop my adventure in the end, so best of luck to you too!

[@phylocybe_]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld do you know how much you spent per month on food? I would hate to run out of money while I’m there 😳

[@mamadoujallow2724]

whats the name of your school

[@phylocybe_]

@@mamadoujallow2724 genki jacs

[@MrZelektronz]

Did you get in? Are you fluent yet? Are u living in japan? I will visit for 14 days on saturday, maybe we can meet up?

[@DANOVERBOARDvlogs]

GenkiJACS sounds like a great spot to study and learn to use the language practically and, well, actually.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Yes, I found it was a pretty good place for me

[@cooldude4419]

I'm going to GenkiJACS this year (hopefully!) for the same 1.5 year program, so I am lucky to have found your videos and blog site! Thank you for sharing your experiences! Did you feel like you had brought everything you needed when you first moved to Japan? I'm still working to figure out everything I should bring.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Wow, I hope you have a great time! Living in Japan has been such an exciting experience. I brought pretty minimally when I came and overtime bought things as I needed. The things I missed most from home were simple stuff like toothpaste, deodorant, microwave popcorn (lol), and certain snacks. I didn’t have great winter clothes so I got some when I arrived!

[@cooldude4419]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld wow, toothpaste? I wouldn't have expected that. I'll make sure to pack a lot of popcorn, though, thanks for the heads up lol

[@falloutpictures]

Very informative! I have friends over there that are trying to get me out there and I plan to go next year and plan on doing the language school route. The sad part is that I will be in my 40's but I will not let that discourage me and a good excuse to brush off my Japanese.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

There were students of all ages in my classes, some older than 40's! I hope you are able to visit and have a good time. 頑張ってください！

[@snappycattimesten]

Please do a follow up. What is your current level? What visa are you in now? Cheers.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Yes, I've been meaning to make this video! Hopefully coming soon...

[@cw6929]

This was super informative! Thank you!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@GiselleMetcalf-Grosso]

WOW WOW!!! This video had the best content. Your speaking manner is also very professional. Thank you for all the info!!!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad you found it helpful! 😄😄

[@Sweetadventureful]

This video is exactly what i was looking for. Thank you so much!!!!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

So glad to hear! ☺️

[@xporkrind]

Loved your video. So informative. Thank you !!!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thank you!

[@andrewlamb3585]

You did a great job in summarizing your experience and the work involved in getting into a language school! I know it can depend on the program/school but what did your costs look like? This is your first video that I have watched so I don't know if you made any financial breakdown videos. If you did, I'll try to find it. If you didn't, could you consider making a video? I understand that the costs involved may be too much to explain in a reply comment. ありがとうございます！

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I'm working on a cost video right now! Thanks for your comment!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Here is a video on the costs involved with studying abroad in Japan! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared

[@lunaroyale4555]

Thank you so much for this. I want to apply for the 18 month program in Nagoya, either for janurary 2025 or April. School is emailing me back with info. soon! I had that adventure bug bite me recently and now I'm very much excited to start looking for this new chapter in life. I see you had that same feeling. ♥

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

So exciting! Wishing you a great journey :)

[@JaylemT33]

Thank you for not wasting time

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching! 😁

[@robertgulfshores4463]

Very informative, thank you! Question -> What about the dialects? Do people in Fukuoka speak the standard version of Japanese? I've heard Japanese people in Tokyo comment on the slang / dialects of kansaiben, of shikoku, of Okinawa.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hello! There is a dialect here in Fukuoka called Hakata-ben. It’s not that strong and mostly includes a few phrases being used instead of the standard way of saying or sometimes the endings or a conjugate verb may change slightly. When I first got here, I wasn’t able to pick up on it much, but after a bit of time I now hear it in conversation. It’s nothing that will keep you from understanding most people in most situations though!

[@robertgulfshores4463]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld Thank you! :-) The more I learn about Fukuoka, the more I love about it. Until recently, my focus was 100% Tokyo, bc it was amazing when I lived there as an expat, but I'm def considering Fukuoka for next year. Or maybe Shikoku.

[@yeva662]

Great video! Love how it's informative right off the bat! One question though, were you able to return to your home country during breaks with your visa? Or was it one entry only and you had to stay the entire duration of the school year?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching! I was able to visit home and return. One thing to be careful of is making sure travels don’t cut into classes as that will affect attendance which is important to keep up on a student visa. 🙂

[@chrispelyk]

Really informative thanks so much looks like you have had an amazing experience - can I please ask a few questions? Is your school the best one in Fukuoka or would you have chosen a different one after your experience? Does the school help with finding a house and setting up banking? I have a few others ;-)

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hello Chris, thanks for watching and for all your questions! I only went to this one school in Fukuoka so I cannot fairly judge if others are better or not. I personally had a good experience, but this really depends on each person’s goals / expectations/ etc. Yes, the school helps with housing if you request which is a huge plus and saves you from having to deal with it yourself. (It’s very hard for foreigners to get decent housing without knowing Japanese or having a long term visa.) The school helped me understand what forms I needed to open an account and directed me to a place that is accustomed to working with international students. I went there myself and set it up.

[@bernardkersting1270]

Very informative content. Thank you. I wish you well with your journey in Japan.

[@FannyGodMother]

This video is so informative!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@Ladderphobia]

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts in this video! I'll be starting at GenkiJACS in July and am looking forward to it. I read another person's experience with the school, and they felt that while GJ handles the beginner classes very well, the intermediate classes were not as well thought-out. How did you find the intermediate classes as you advanced past the Genki 1 and 2 workbooks? Were you still finding value in the classroom time? Did you and your classmates have to advocate for higher level JLPT prep or was it offered as a suggestion by the instructors as a way to focus everyone's studies? Good luck with your job search! I hope you're able to finding something well-suited for you.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching and for your comments! The beginner classes and intermediate classes were fine, upper intermediate was where things were a bit more lacking for me. We always had new material to study but the progression was not as smooth since we used a vareity of different textbooks. (It felt more scattered) I was able to always learn stuff, but by the end I was also studying outside of school to better prepare for the JLPT (Kanji flashcards, speaking with locals, listening to podcasts, reading news, etc). My classmates and I all were pretty serious about the JLPT so that's probably where they saw to add more of that in before the test. I think this is something the school will continue to do, but if you have specific goals / requests you can speak with the teachers.

[@jo.wanders]

So helpful and straight to the point! I watched the entire video from start to end. Thank you so much for sharing! I am looking at applying to this same school. I have a few questions and hope you can answer (thanks in advance!): - did you do any of the accommodation option with the school? If so, how is it? If not, how did you find your apartment? - what are the pros and cons of fukuoka? Do you feel like you made the right decision to choose this city? - are you going to stay in Japan longer? Any luck with finding jobs there? - you mentioned the schedule for the classes changes often..can you share your class schedule? I’m worried it’ll be hard to find a part time job if the schedule is different everyday. Thanks and I’ve liked your video!!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks so much for watching, I'm so happy you found it helpful! Here are a few answers to your questions: - Yes, I did a homestay for 3 months and then lived in an apartment / dorm for the rest of the time. I'm currently in the process of finding my own place (since I graduated and am still living in Japan), but when I was in school I didn't have to do anything :) - I love Fukuoka and for sure feel like it was a great decision. Compared to Osaka / Tokyo, it's wayyy less packed but still has a city center and nightlife (obviously not as much, but I think what's here is more my speed). Some might find the area boring, but I feel like it's so easy to live in, much cheaper, easier to meet people, nature spots like the beach and mountains are so close, and using public transportation I've been able to explore all over Kyushu... You won't find throngs of tourists everywhere and it feels like a better place to challenge yourself when learning Japanese. - Yes, I plan to continue staying in Japan (though not sure how long yet). Job hunting is hard here unless you do teaching / are in tech. Compared to Tokyo the job market in Fukuoka is much smaller so if you want to stay in Fukuoka that can make things more difficult. But anything is possible! - Your classes can be scheduled either 9:30- 1:10, 11:25 - 3:50 , or 2:05 -5:45. Between these three blocks it can vary day to day / change month to month. So getting a job out of the 9:30 - 5:45 time slot is best. Hopefully this was helpful and I'll be making more videos to go more into depth on these soon!

[@jo.wanders]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld thank you so much!!! Subscribing to watch more videos :)

[@Rebecapem]

What do you mean by homestay? I’m interested in studying abroad but it’s so confusing!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

@Rebecapem Homestay is where you live with a family in their home. A room and meals are usually provided. I did a homestay for 3 months before moving to a place on my own.

[@The2condchannel]

This video was beyond helpful. Thank you so so much for this 🙌🏻

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I'm so glad!

[@mikie0307]

lol i too took a year of japanese in college and proceeded to lose all the efforts in the next 10 years haha. So much info in this. maybe i should take language school 😅

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I know the feeling of forgetting it all haha 😭. But never to late to restart!

[@yosoykibbles]

Thank You so much!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Of course!

[@huyhoang1037]

Thanks for all the tips and information! Very interesting 🤔

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

You’re welcome! Glad it could help 😊

[@ry0k904]

Wow, what a great video! I can't thank you enough, this gave me more information than I expected. Although I think I can't move to Japan right away, 3 months of language school should give me proper insights if I really want to do the big step. GenkiJacs offer a course where you can switch location after minimum of 4 weeks. Do you think it would make sense to go from location to location after 4 weeks, with having a good experience on continuing the learning process? I can imagine they cannot tailor the classes so perfectly that you can switch seamlessly between the classes of the different locations, but on the other hand they offer this... I'm not sure what do to. I wish you the best for your ongoing journey, and I'm going to accompany you by viewing your content :)

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching! Trying out school for a bit is a good idea! If you're at a beginner level, I think it shouldn't be too hard to switch to a different location and pick up at a similar place. I'm pretty sure the Genki schools use the same textbooks and general class structure.

[@arceus54321]

thanks for the helpful video! im currently applying to KAI in shin-okubo through gogo nihon. will hopefully be there next year. this video was very helpful. you should make another video on what you're doing right now because it seems like you're still in fukuoka! are you working there?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Great ideas, I’m working on a new video to update post language school! Yes I’m still in Fukuoka and working now :)

[@WujiKami]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge like this. It was incredible and incredible video with many details no other video talk about. Were there other schools you seriously considering or was that school ultimately the best from your research?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I initially had a list of about 20 schools, but after narrowing down to ones that offer long term student visas, are more catered towards first-time kanji learners, had enough feedback from past students as well as info on the website to seem legitimate, only a few reamined. I sent emails of interst but once I started reading more about Kyushu and GenkiJACS, I decided it was the best choice for me. So glad you found the information helpful! Thanks for watching :)

[@Shmittery]

Thanks for this thorough video! I'll be going to GenkiJacs in April. I'm going in with pretty much the exact same Japanese background as well as the same mindset of wanting a trial run of the Japan lifestyle. I really struggled with finding good candid content about going to GenkiJacs specifically when I applied (just before your video came out), but I'm glad it seems like I made the right choice of schools. By the way, did you initially apply for 1.5 year visa or did you start on the 1 year visa and opt to extend it while you were there?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

So glad you found the video! Using school to trial run life in Japan was a great choice for me and I’m still here 3 years later! I did the 1 year visa and then applied for the extension later. (I think during my time only 1 year was allowed during application so everyone who wanted to extend did it together and the school facilitated the process). In case you haven’t seen, here’s a write up I made of my experience if you want to read more. Hope you have a good time in Japan ☺️www.marisaroundtheworld.com/1-5-years-at-language-school-studying-japanese-in-japan/

[@Shmittery]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld that's very encouraging to hear that you wanted to stick around! Thanks for the info and link to the blog. I've bookmarked it, you've got a lot of great info that I'll be referencing as my life gets up and going in Fukuoka! Thanks for creating this content 🙏

[@threeeyedtribe]

Question how long were you waiting for the COE?! Great video and very Informative!!! 💚💚💚

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

It took about 2 months for the school to receive the COE, which usually lands 4-6 weeks before the start of the course. I'm so glad you found the video helpful :)

[@threeeyedtribe]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld Thanks for the reply!!

[@farmar4623]

Ur Blogs excellent.. From Bangladesh..

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching 😄

[@irule10338]

Hi, Just wondering if you have an update on your job hunting since you graduated from language school! I'm going to start language school this April in tokyo and would really like to hear of some good news for people who were able to find a job after graduating.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hi! Hope you have a great start at language school、頑張ってね！ ☺️ And yes I was able to find a job after graduating! (I had an internship while I was in school so that helped a lot). I’ll be making a video about life after language school soon so stay tuned!

[@smallego8068]

People say that GenkiJACS - before changing to Minna no Nihongo - covered one chapter per week. Isn't that a little bit slow considering that each chapter contains just a few Grammar points and vocabs/Kanji?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

The pace differs depending on the level you’re at. It can feel a bit slow at the beginning especially if you know a bit of Japanese, but by intermediate level it didn’t feel slow at all. Also, the school teaches not just with the Genki / Minna no Nihongo main textbook, but with supplementary material from other textbooks, news sources, etc as well. So each day you do some of the main textbook plus something else.

[@trizvanov]

Thank you so much for the tips. Much appreciated! Just a quick note. Not sure whether it is KZbin but this video feels very choppy, as in your sentences and sometimes even words get cut right at the end with zero gaps in between.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Glad you found it helpful! And thanks for noting, I had some editing difficulties this video, but will be improved next time 😊

[@Darkjack-FR]

Is it hard to find a full time job in Japan? I've a master in anthropology + 6 years as a PhD student (many skills obtained), but I don't know if Japanese firms are really interresting by this kind of profile. I hesitate to study informatics. Nice video!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Everyone's experience finding (or not finding) a job here will be different. Generally the easiset route to get your foot in the door is by teaching English, but there are other opportunities out there if you are able to learn the language , possess useful work skills, can adapt to Japanese work style (if at a Japanese firm) and are able to make good connections with other people.

[@cyberrider1765]

Awesome!!!

[@jarjorify]

I know this is an older video, but did your language school do a placement test? Would more advanced learners looking to pass JLPT N1 benefit from the language school that you attended? Thank you for the very informative video!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

There was an informal test and video call with one of the teachers to judge rough placement. To me the school is better suited for beginners so it may not be the best choice for someone more advanced.

[@madd_vibe]

Hi lovely! Thank you for this video I'm looking at possibly going to one in the future! I just had a question - did you know anyone that did work in Japan while doing the student program? I would love to work at the same time because the idea of no cash flow for a year kinda scares me..... And what kind of jobs can you get into when you have such limited Japanese? Is it better to try and find some sort of online job in the mean time?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I had a job during school and so did some of my classmates! I don't recommend having a part time job though until after 6 months+ though so you can focus on studying and improving your Japanese. You can usually find jobs where Japanese isn't as necessary if you teach English. Some of the other people I know worked in resturants.

[@grima0482]

Thank you for sharing your experience on KZbin, I really appreciate your informative video. I am also interested in learning Japanese and after reading a lot of reviews I came to the conclusion that the GenkiJACS Japanese language school in Fukuoka seems to be a very good choice. I have some questions though regarding inclusion/disability support. I have a rare sleep disorder called DSPS (Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome), so my internal body clock is shifted towards the afternoon and late night and I am unable to work or study before noon. The fact that the class schedules seem to be very random and not fixed worries me a bit. Do you think that it would be possible to get accommodated in order to only have classes in the afternoon (I am officially diagnosed and also have a medical certificate to back up my condition)? On top of that I also have autism, it isn't that severe that I cannot live alone but it still affects my daily life, especially in social interactions. I hope that the study environment can also cater a bit to those on the spectrum. I would be glad if you could describe the social environment a bit more in detail and what you can do around the school as well. In terms of accommodations I think that I would need to stick to a private apartment offered by GenkiJACS since I would probably be more of an annoyance or burden to flatmates or a homestay family with my shifted biorhythm and I don't know how they would react to my social quirks. Luckily it looks like GenkiJACS has small class sizes which is perfect for me and it makes it easier to get comfortable in the new environment. I see this as an opportunity to make new friends and to learn about the Japanese culture and language. In terms of language learning, I am really looking forward to acquiring a new language (Japanese), since I already speak five languages (Luxembourgish and Spanish as my native language plus German, French and English) and I want to further broaden my horizon.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Thanks for watching and that’s awesome you’re going to pick up Japanese! You have great questions, but asking the school directly would probably be best as they’ll be able to help you specific to your situation. In terms of the social environment, there is a downstairs lounge where students can interact and make friends. Some people do this, others make friends outside of those in the school. There are also events organized by the school which can be a good place to meet people as well. The classes are small, but during my experience, the make up of the students would occasionally shift as levels changed and people came and went.

[@xporkrind]

I am going to try applying for a two year program. If you finish two years is there any possibility of doing additional studies and getting an additional student visa beyond two years?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hello! From my knowledge, depending on the school, this might be difficult since courses usually aren’t tailored for more advanced levels. (Might work at some places though). Some people apply to study at trade schools or university programs (if their Japanese level is high enough). The options available will differ case to case and from school to school so best to ask the place you are applying to directly for their advice!

[@goodpocky2]

Just curious what your path was after graduating, did you stay in Japan with a job? What was the process?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Yes I am still in Japan with a job! I am working on a follow up video with life updates. 🙂

[@manizhealinezhad1530]

Hello, you have explained very well. Can you give me the name of the language school and the school's internet address, thank you

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Genki JACS Fukuoka - www.genkijacs.com/ For more info all and my experience at the school you can check here: www.marisaroundtheworld.com/genkijacs-everything-you-need-to-know-about-this-japanese-langauge-school/

[@Toriicats]

Did you work while you were there?

[@CheDeLila]

Any age restriction to the age to apply to that student visa, or place that you can apply to that you know that they dont have age restrictions? Arigato in advanced.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Most places have a requirement of 14, 15, 16, or 18+. It depends on each school so better to inquire separately. There isn't an upper age limit to the visa, but I've read that older students (mid 30's+) might have to submit additional documentation when applying.

[@EngineerSTG]

As someone who has a lengthy and experienced career already but can’t find any company that will sponsor a visa to allow relocation to Japan, would it make sense to do the Japanese language school for 1-2 years as this will put a long gap in your resume for future employers? Assuming you want to also learn the Japanese language as a priority

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I think the answer is different for everyone, but if you are looking for a job in Japan, knowing the language will open up many more possibilities!

[@shinobee93]

Thank's you for the video. I will study at genkijacs Fukuoka from january 2025 to july 2025. 6 months. At my Japanese school in Paris, i will finish the manuals Genki n1 and n2 before my study in Japan. Do you think that's it's possible to reach the jlpt n3 in 6 months ? I know that every student is unique and have is own rythm but it would be really nice if i can have your response. Thank's you and good luck for every project of your life, i wish you the best 😊🙏.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hello! Awesome that you're coming to Japan! It's great that you will be coming in with a Japanese foundation from the start and it will definitely help. It's definitely possible to reach N3 but it will probably require a decent amount of self-study. You have a lot of time though, so you should be fine as long as you put effort in consistently. For my guide on how to pass JLPT (N3 + N2), you can check out here: www.marisaroundtheworld.com/2022/06/09/how-to-study-for-and-crush-the-jlpt-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E8%83%BD%E5%8A%9B%E8%A9%A6%E9%A8%93/

[@shinobee93]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld thanks you very much for your response 😊😊😊. I will check your guide for JLPT, it will be very useful. Yes I understand that I will have to put a lot of effort. But it's just a pleasure to learn this language so it's all good 😁. I wish you the best for your further projects 🙏.

[@xporkrind]

Do you have any experience with how aggressive Japanese immigration officials are with policing tourist visas for US citizens. I know we can enter for 90 days without any visa application. But can we enter multiple times in a single year on a 90 day tourist visa? I heard there might be an unwritten rule that you cannot stay over 180 days in a rolling one year period, without being challenged. But other people say this isn't true and it's totally up to the individual immigration officer.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I don’t have any firsthand experience with trying to do this so I can’t help much, sorry!

[@xporkrind]

No problem. Thank you@@MarisAroundtheWorld

[@pulkit9800]

Thank you for the well informative video! I have a few questions if you could clear them out for me? 1. How long did it take you in total from contacting the school for the first time to receiving your student visa? 2. What was the visa date you got? For example, if your school started on 1st of Oct, your visa date began from 1st Oct or did it begin from when you received the visa? 3. How many more visa days did you get after completion of your course. For example, if the corse finished in April, did you get 2 more weeks or was the last date of the exact date you finished your school? Sorry if these questions are confusing, I can elaborate properly for you if you want! Thanks in advance!

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hi, thanks for watching! Regarding your questions: 1. It took a little over three months to receive the visa from when I submitted the information to the school. (Which includes taking the COE to the embassy). 2. The visa started the day I entered Japan. 3. I applied for a year long course but the visa was for a year and three months. I ended up extending the course 6 months and got a 5 month visa extension. So after my course I had an extra two months on my visa. I eventually applied for another visa to continue working and living in Japan, but it is no longer a student visa or related to the school. (*I was told that the amount of time you get after extending the student visa can vary on the number or visa applications and other factors). I hope this info is helpful for you!

[@pulkit9800]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld This does help out a lot! Thank you for taking your time to clearing out my doubts. I appreciate it!

[@inquisitvem6723]

How does one retire in Japan if you’re not a citizen? If I attend and complete Japanese language school after a year, will I be able to get a long term visa ?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I’m not an immigration expert, but no, you don’t get a long term visa just from finishing language school.

[@EszterOSzabo]

You say you have plenty of free time but I’m curious what money do you live from whilst going to language school - do you work somehow too?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I had a part time job during a portion of my studies and had saved up enough for the rest.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

You can learn more about the finances involoved with studying abroad in this new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared

[@staynjohnson4221]

Aside from cost of japanese school, how much were the monthly expense living in japan? (If not spending extra)

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I just made a video that goes over the housing, commute, food, and extra costs while living abroad here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared

[@akshayraveendran6318]

If I’m coming from Kuwait tru lean Japanese language, how much should I show bank statement?

[@gainesfilm]

Hello, may I ask where you lived while going to this language school? Do they have dormitories?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I lived for a few months with a host family, then moved to a kind of dorm building that had individual rooms but a shared cafe. It was not specifically for the language school as the majority of other occupants were Japanese students and workers. The school has connections with multiple places so it can be hard to know exactly where you’ll end up until you are assigned.

[@aniq7266]

can i study in japanese language school in japan if i never learn any japanese language experience in my home country? or do i need to have a 150hr requirement?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I haven’t heard about the 150 hour requirement, but for details it would be best to contact the school directly. Many programs allow beginners to join but may require knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana.

[@StephYeo]

How much did you spent in Japan exclude school fee?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Just made a video on all the costs involved with studying abroad here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared

[@SpiderDice]

You need a Bachelor's degree to work in Japan as a foreigner.

[@inquisitvem6723]

How much is the tuition at the language learning school?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

www.genkijacs.com/pricelist.php

[@inquisitvem6723]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld thanks. So you can live in an apartment that you rented on your own it seems. That’s nice….likely cheaper. I have a friend in Tokyo that I could stay with.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Just released a new video about finances and costs of living while a student! You can check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGmyYYV5hpiDd6cfeature=shared

[@ShashinPJ]

Did you get the travel insurance through GenkiJACS and would you recommend it?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Yes I got it with the school. I didn’t research other options and I never had to use it so I can’t really compare. But the ease of having the school set it up was the main pro. Just know that you will also have to enroll in National Health Insurance and that is separate.

[@ShashinPJ]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld Thanks for the help and it says they will automatically enroll me onto Japan's National Health Insurance. Just one more question, when you pay the tuition fee, does that mean you're paying for everything (accommodation, pickup, etc. included) or just what they're charging you for the course (990,000 yen for me)

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

The tuition fee is for the classes and your books. Accommodation is separate and depends on the type of accommodation you choose. When you get the invoice for the school it will break these down separately. By pickup do you mean from the airport? If so, this is separate.

[@ShashinPJ]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld Ohhh okay, that clears up alot of confusion. Thank you

[@nitinnegi647]

Hey Hope you are doing great I have a question I am planning to take admission in a language school in Kyoto next year Vaise to I am applying in more than 5 schools I will enter any which will be affordable and will meet my requirements So the fees will vary between 7to 9 lakhs yen a year including study material, admission fees and tution fees and there will be my rent and food and personal expenses too so my question is that can I manage to survive there only with part time job? or do you suggest taking study loan? Will it be a good idea? Thank you

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Hi! I think everyone has different living and personal expenses so it is quite difficult to answer your question. (Cost of living even within different regions of Japan is very different). Even with the allowance of 20 hours of work a week, it can be very difficult to balance school and a job while still making the most of living in Jpaan. As much as possible, saving before your trip is recommended!

[@judealtran17]

Can I ask if i enroll myself at japanese language school will I be able to bring my wife to japan with me while I'm studying?

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

I don’t think this is possible with a visa from a language school, but best to ask the school directly!

[@Silverlining330]

WHAT IS APPROX FEE FOR LANGUAGW SCHOOL

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

The costs vary widely depending on the school, type of program, duration, and location. It will be best to inquire at each school individually, but the school I went to has a price list here: www.genkijacs.com/pricelist.php

[@ArchipelaRHODE]

Is there age restrictions?

[@itsgxvin]

pretty sure it’s 18+

[@ArchipelaRHODE]

@@itsgxvin was wondering would i be too old for the exchange since im in my early 30s

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

From the website: “We accept students from 14 years of age and up at Fukuoka and Kyoto, and 16 years and up at Tokyo. Students under 18 who wish to come from abroad to study at GenkiJACS must also send their parent or guardian's signature when confirming their application, as proof of parental approval.” There were many students in 20’s, 30’s and a few older than that! There’s no age cap I think.

[@peonygiftsflo506]

Thank you for complete informations by explaines it on your experienced.

[@trizvanov]

I went to the language school's website to check the prices. From what I understand, they recommend to have ¥2,730,000 for the 18 month course, which I believe includes pretty much everything. From your experience, how accurate did you find that figure to be ? Thanks again. :)

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

That sounds about right - the 18 month course fee looks like to be ￥1,390,000 and if you live in your own apartment which is roughly ￥60,000 / month then the total is ￥2,470,000. (This includes all your text books, class hours, and accomodation). You also have to pay for national health insurance which is about ￥1700-2400/ month. The amount people spend on daily life activities (food, travel, etc) varies person to person so that additonal amount will be up the the individual!

[@trizvanov]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld Thank you. Much appreciated. :)

[@cc_ppur1334]

Seriously? Writing? XD Damn! What if someone coming for N2 & N1 and He have 0 Writting? XD I am curious

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

For the JLPT tests you don’t need writing, but for most language schools you probably will!

[@cc_ppur1334]

@@MarisAroundtheWorld What is more emphasize by the Language school? Speaking or your ability to pass the JLPT exam?

[@007MrYang]

@@cc_ppur1334 It really depends on the school

[@BeiClass]

GenkiJacs is very selective with their applications and doesn't accept students from Philippines. Most of their students are only from western countries. So disappointed.

[@bernardkersting1270]

Very informative content. Thank you. I wish you well with your journey in Japan.

[@MarisAroundtheWorld]

Great to hear that it was helpful! And thank you, the journey has been wonderful 😁