First week in Japan

May 11, 2007

There are three types of situations that you must go through
in the first week after you arrive in Japan: paperwork, placement tests, and
last but not least, getting to meet new - and usually cool - people.

PAPERWORK
There are a number of formalities which you have to go through once you
arrive in Japan: applying for an Alien Registration Card, entering the National
Health Insurance System, confirming your major and so on. On a more informal
note, this means that you’ll have lots of papers to fill in and lots of places
to go to. Also, you will have to take a compulsory medical examination* [X-ray
chest examination, urine analysis, visual and hearing accuracy tests, height,
weight - that kind of stuff].

The university staff will handle all the organizational and
administrative issues, so all you have to do is fill in the papers and do as
you’re told. It’s an easy - and very boring task.

* for Oosaka Gaidai students, this examination takes place
at Garcia Hospital, which is at around twenty minutes of walking from the campus

PLACEMENT TESTS
Placement tests are used to determine your level in various subjects and
place you into a class accordingly. The most important test is the Japanese
Language test, which consists of three separate examinations [kanji, grammar,
and essay writing]. As I said before, even though they state it’s not necessary
to have any Japanese language knowledge at the time of applying for the
scholarship, it’s highly recommended that you know at least the basics or you’re
going to have a hard time later on. Following the Japanese language test, you
will be assigned to an advanced, intermediate or beginner class.

Other placement tests vary according to your area
of studying. Generally, the subjects are as follows: history, politics and
economics** for students majoring in human sciences, and mathematics, physics
and chemistry for students majoring in mathematics, engineering and the like.

All students must also take a compulsory English
language test; students who fail this test are required to take an extra
one-year English course.

! Side note: don’t expect to be given the
results to these placement tests; they serve as a reference for teachers and
will not affect your grades in any way.

** students majoring in economics [business administration etc.]
must also take a one-year mathematics course and the according placement test.

HANGING OUT
Japanese students at Oosaka Gaidai [or Tokyo Gaidai] won’t give you a hard
time for being a foreigner - but don’t expect an overly-enthusiastic welcome,
either. The best time to socialize with them is during the parties held at the
dorm [there’s usually plenty of those], or at the cafeteria during lunch break.
Still, most of them hardly speak any English, so it’s best if you know some
Japanese - or you can at least speak very, very simple English [don’t make it
too complicated or they won’t understand you at all :))].