Why would some Japanese people like to go to university overseas? It is because they want to find various possibilities and capabilities in choosing career options in the future. In addition, if they study abroad, they can learn valuable life skills needed for personal development. These skills can give them an added boost of confidence in their personal and professional lives. If Japanese people want to work in other countries, they are required to speak English. It is quite difficult for Japanese people because, unlike French and German, Japanese and English have nothing in common. Then, what makes overseas universities attractive to Japanese people? It is because they can gain an irreplaceable experience by studying foreign systems. I researched the systems of British universities on behalf of overseas universities.
A. How to get into university
- International students must take the IELT test; the acceptable score is 6.5 or higher.
They only need English skills to be able to enroll in the university. In the UK, you choose your course before applying to university, and your passion for that area of study should be at the forefront of your application. - In Japanese cases, students must take an entrance exam, which is very difficult, including many subjects such as math, science, English, and history.
B. Knowledge gained from study vs memorization for exam
- In the UK, they choose their course before applying to university, and as mentioned, your passion for that field should be the main feature of their application. Therefore, they should have curiosity and passion for learning and should feel rewarded while studying. The Japanese tend to study for their status symbol. Submitting an assignment is one of the most important steps to take credit.
Students need to write essays or do a group project aside from joining classes if they get credits. - Passing the exams on each subject is the most important thing in the Japanese university.
Honestly, Japanese students tend to study to pass the exams. Many Japanese universities use examinations to determine if students have the necessary academic skills to enroll in one of their undergraduate programs.
C. Different styles of teaching
- Studying abroad can help them expand their academic horizons and develop to adapt to various educational settings.
・Authority Style: A centered style where a professor is the authority figure. It frequently involves long lectures or one-way presentations. This is one of the most common study styles all around the world.
・Facilitator Style: Professors promote self-learning by emphasizing the teacher-student relationship. They help students develop critical thinking skills by teaching them how to ask questions and find solutions through exploration.
・Delegator Style: Professors assign lab activities and give students in-class projects to help them stay engaged. The class is led by students, not professors. They will learn not only a subject content but also leadership or relationship: to work something together.
Japanese people are attracted to go and study abroad because of different study styles. Nowadays, they tend to prefer abroad universities to upgrade their career options, to improve language skills, and to broaden their horizons. When they are in another country, the culture and customs of that country become the norm. Especially, when they are in Japan, they do not often have contact with the culture and customs of other countries. However, when they go abroad, they encounter cultures and customs different from those in Japan daily. By touching cultures and customs that they have never been involved with, they will have new ways of thinking and perspectives, which will lead to your improvement. They can graduate in three years, which is a shorter period than in Japanese universities. If you graduate from universities in Japan, you would need four to six years to graduate. Therefore, studying abroad in the UK is good for Japanese people.
References
Isabelle Bilton | Step by step: How to get into a UK university as an international student – Study International (online) Available at https://www.studyinternational.com/news/step-step-get-uk-university-international-student/
Tamar Shulsinger | 8 Unexpected Benefits to Studying Abroad as Graduated Student – Northeastern University (online) Available at
https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/study-abroad-benefits/
Robert S. Balan | How to apply to a University in Japan in 2021 – study portals (online) Available at：https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/2886/how-to-apply-to-a-university-in-japan-in-2021.html
