After a few weeks of uncertainty, my plans to study in Japan are all but finalized. I’ve been accepted to a school and plane tickets have been purchased… The only matter yet undecided is accommodation. From July to September, I’ll study at Yamasa, a Japanese language school located in Okazaki.
Though I detest large cities, I originally wanted to study in Tokyo. I love the mass transit system there, plus I’d be close to some friends. I scoured the interwebs and found dozens of language schools in Tokyo, though very few were reputable. Most had poorly designed websites, in Japanese only, lacking information, broken links, and non-working email addresses. Apparently there are many fraudulent language schools, which serve only to provide student visas to immigrants wishing to work illegally. Of the few reputable schools I found, their course selection was very limited: One or two year courses, beginning twice a year, with tuition in excess of $10,000 per year. Not to mention in order to receive a student visa, immigration requires proof one has enough money to cover living expenses for the duration of the visa, which can easily exceed $20,000. Yikes.
Enter Yamasa. The flexibility the school offers is, as far I’m aware, unparalleled. Students can enroll year-round and study for as short as four weeks to as long as two years. I enrolled in a three month course, which allows me to study on a tourist visa… much preferable to the hassle of obtaining a student visa! Unlike the language schools in Tokyo, Yamasa owns or leases a few nearby dormitories and apartment buildings to provide accommodation for students. I’ve applied for a modest studio apartment… the thought of staying in a dormitory does not sit well with me.
For my previous trips to Japan, I always flew on Continental Airlines, for they were consistently the cheapest option. I was looking forward to flying with them again to take advantage of the power ports and use the laptop I purchased since my last trip. However, this time ANA (All Nippon Airways) was the cheapest option for my preferred international itinerary of a single layover lasting longer than two hours, but less than five. It’s picky, I know… but two hours provides enough buffer in case of flight delays, and five hours is the most I’m readily willing to tolerate sitting bored out of mind in a noisy, crowded, smelly airport.
By choosing ANA over Continental I saved $70, but gave up power ports and a slightly (1.4″) wider seat. Six times I’ve endured the 12 to 14 hour overseas flight without a laptop, so I don’t believe another two will be a big deal. The layover is in O’Hare… I haven’t flown through there in at least 8 or 9 years, and I don’t recall my past flights ever being on time. I certainly hope things have changed since then! Thanks to SeatGuru, I was able to reserve a decent seat, and avoid the unsavory ones.
So until I leave for Japan, I’ll continue to study on my own. The more Japanese I know when I arrive at Yamasa, the better I’ll do on the placement test. The better I do on the placement test, the more advance the class I’ll enter. The more advance the class, the more challenging. The more challenging, the more I’ll learn.
