hello! this is my first time ever making a post on reddit – so i appreciate criticism that is constructive (kindly) and helpful!
about me for reference
i am going to be 19 come my arrival to Japan, and i am 18 now. i am a female – coming from an American (United States) and Japanese culture background
my current japanese level – N4, approaching N3.
financial information – yearly income between me and my financial sponsor, is a little over ¥26 million.
i’m going to be studying at a language school in Tokyo, specifically northern Tokyo. my term and studies will begin in July 2026, with the 1 year and 9 months visa, extension up to 2 years student visa.
however, i am looking to prepare as much as possible and be fully aware of what will come after.
i would like to study neuroscience, specifically cognitive neuroscience in Japan after my language studies. i am not sure where to start preparing or knowing what steps to take. if you have any advice on this, or knowledge it would be so helpful.
i have a few concerns about mental health when moving abroad. apologies for my lack of information on this subject, as it has been a struggle to locate and find the right information for this topic understanding that mental health in Japan is not very accessible.
i have diagnosed OCD, and bipolar disorder however after years of therapy and treatment i lack almost all symptoms i once had when i began this journey to study in Japan. i have never been admitted to any institution or hospital due to my mental health, or been a harm to any or myself though even knowing this, the recognition of i may have a different experience than others without those conditions is present.
my main concern is my two medication i take in the US. i take small dosage (the minimum dosage) of zoloft and abilify. i am more worried about abilify. i have researched but there’s not many resources so i’d like to hear from people actually living in Japan what the experience may look like or what to be prepared for.
i am open to other alternatives, as moving abroad will always include compromise.
if anyone has experience or knowledge on anything relating to that in Japan specifically Tokyo (or further out) it would be so appreciated, thank you!
by chiikwa