Hi everyone, I am an A-Level student, originally from Myanmar, currently studying in Malaysia. Despite most friends and relatives dreaming of the west, I just really wanted to study in Japan. Honestly, wanted to attend high school there as well but alas I had no guardian or relative there and there wasn't much time for me to be picky. When the talk of university applications started a few months ago, I forgot about Japan due to how the experience of searching for a way to study in Japan in my 'path' in Myanmar. While I wondered if I wanted to attend to those top universities in the west like my friends, I realized I didn't really have any interest in any of those countries. It's not like I dislike them but I just don't have a reason to spend that much money living somewhere I'm not even interested in. Then I remembered that I could just attend University in Japan.
After some research, I've discovered that in UTokyo the 'top' ranking/prestige was for their Japanese taught courses and their English taught courses were completely different. Basically I realized I had to learn Japanese to fully utilize the top Unis in Japan. I didn't mind it at all as I was interested in learning since the start. I had taken the N5 before coming to Malaysia but hadn't continued learning ever since. Then I set my goal as attending language school for a few years then attending Bachelors in Japan. That's where the next issue arose.
I asked ChatGPT for options of Language schools that are focused on teaching cuz I read somewhere some language schools are just for 'fun?'. I had no one else to ask ( other than the internet which I am doing now because I don't usually make posts but I'm at a dead end ). I picked out TCJ from among the ones it listed and searched it up on google and reddit to make sure it was legit. Then about a month or two ago I sent them an email and signed up for their seminar. Their response in the general inquiry email was that I couldn't apply because I didn't finish high school yet and after I attended the seminar, the speaker told me I had a chance if I were to ask and explain more thoroughly in their admissions email so I did just that.
They didn't reply and I didn't post a follow up because I was busy with my AS exams but now that I'm done, the deadline for application was already really close so I just sent them another email asking about it again. I think the same person read if from different addresses or something because they knew I contacted them before and told me "As we mentioned in our previous reply to your inquiry, please apply to TCJ after your A-Level final results have been officially released. Once your final results are confirmed, we will be able to properly review your eligibility." I sent another email just a while ago if AS exam results would suffice.
TLDR : Alevels student couldn't apply to TCJ due to not meeting requirements
So now I'm kinda lost, while my friends are already getting accepted to their Unis. I should've probably sent out emails to multiple different schools but that's on me. If I can't apply with my predicted grades or my AS grades, and the language school requires to apply a year before attending, are all students taking the university language courses taking gap years after finishing high school? Is it not like universities where you can just seamlessly bridge from highschool to uni or after a few months break at most. Now it's like I'd have to wait a gap year and spend 1-2 years learning language. I'd be so late compared to my friends who'd probably be done with their bachelors by then. I maybe tunnel visioning so please give any input you can. Thanks in advance.
PS. i wrote this with no sleep awake for 24 hours so sorry if the post sounds off or too informal. I'll be going to sleep and try my best to fix up the post and reply when I wake up.
by MaiSakurajimaKawaii