I am a 17-year-old senior student living in Canada. I am considering moving to Japan to study and eventually live there, but I’m not sure how to make the process as smooth as possible. I plan to study Computer Science, specifically to become a Cloud Architect. Tuition would be cheaper in Japan, but I don’t know much about acceptance rates or which universities are the best for this field. So far, I’ve looked into the MEXT Scholarship Program as well as the Study in Japan website, which explained the expenses and main requirements.
My first option is to get a bachelor’s degree at a university in Ontario and then pursue a master’s degree in Japan. If this is the right option, how would I be able to get a part-time job as a foreign student?
My second option is to apply for the MEXT Scholarship right after high school in order to study in Japan. The scholarship covers full tuition, housing, a monthly allowance, and includes one year of language training. I also plan to start studying Japanese now to get a head start. If this is the right option, what and how should I study for the MEXT exam, and what should I expect from it? Would it be easier to complete one year at a Canadian university and then transfer, or at that point, would it make more sense to just finish my degree here first?
I’m still unsure which path would make it easier to live in Japan long-term (and obtain permanent residency faster) and to find a job after completing my master’s degree. I feel stuck and uncertain about what to do since I still have around eight months left until I graduate high school. I know there’s a points-based system for obtaining PR faster, and I could earn 10 extra points if my university is considered highly reputable by the Japanese government, but that depends on the choices I make now.
Any help would be extremely appreciated! 🙂
by Due-Ad9618