Hi everyone, I’m in Grade 11, from Indonesia, and honestly stuck between two very different paths for uni. I need a reality check on the career side of things.
Options:
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UK: Schools like Edinburgh, Durham, or Warwick for Civil Engineering or Architecture. My parents are pushing for this because of the prestige/ranking.
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Japan: International (English-taught) programs at Waseda or Sophia. This has been a dream of mine forever.
Context:
My parents are cool with the cost of either, but they think the UK is the "safer" bet. Although I know 0 japanese now, I have already contacted several japanese language lessons and can reach a predicted N3 level by the time apply.
The big things I’m worried about:
Jobs in Japan: Do companies actually hire from the English-taught tracks, or am I going to be at a massive disadvantage? Is N3 even enough to land an internship, or is it N2/N1 or bust?
Leaving Japan: If I get my degree there and decide to move elsewhere later, will employers in the West take a Waseda/Sophia degree seriously compared to a UK Russell Group uni?
The "Vibe" of the degree: Are these international programs seen as high degrees in Japan, or are they viewed differently than the regular Japanese-taught ones?
My Major: For Architecture/Civil Engineering specifically, which country actually has the better reputation for tech and industry links?
Would love to hear from anyone who’s actually done the international route in Japan or knows the engineering scene in both places. Thanks!
by goosesds