Hi everyone! I’ve been thinking about relocating to Japan/ outside of the US and would like to know if my idea is realistic—especially from anyone with experience in design, apparel, or studying at Bunka Fashion Graduate University or a similar institution.
About me:
• 24 years old and I currently work full-time as an activewear apparel designer at a global company
• I have around 3+ years of industry experience, and a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Product Design (Industrial Design)
• I’ve been studying Japanese for nearly 2 years (twice a week with tutors), and I recently visited Japan which furthered my motivation to continue learning
My current plan:
• Apply to the Master’s program at Bunka Fashion Graduate University (specifically looking at Fashion Creation or Fashion Management, with a focus on design innovation or materials)
• Use the 2-year program to build a network, improve my language skills, and get internship experience
• After graduation, aim to find a full-time job in design/apparel—ideally with one of Japan’s major sportswear/lifestyle brands (like Asics, Goldwin, Mizuno, Descente, Uniqlo) or a global brand with offices in Japan (my current employer has design offices in Japan but due to recent events I don’t think positions will be opening for the next 2ish years)
What I’d like to know:
• Has anyone here attended Bunka’s graduate program? How was the experience—especially for international students and career outcomes?
• How realistic is it to find a design-related job in Japan as a foreigner? I’m aiming for something in activewear, CMF, or innovation, and I’m aware Japanese proficiency is a factor
• Financially—is this path manageable? I know tuition and living costs are relatively affordable compared to the U.S., but I’d also plan to work part-time while studying
• Is going to grad school a better entry point than trying to land a job directly? Especially when it comes to visas
I know that Japanese work culture can be very brutal, not sure if this also applies to creative fields. My backup plan, if I did complete the graduate course, found a job and found the work culture to not align with my lifestyle, was to see if I could apply to jobs in another country, now with more education experience + my previous work history.
Any advice, insights, or experiences (good or bad) would be appreciated! Thank you in advance.🩷
by normintp