Help out a young budding Japundit
Last week on the Japan Talk podcast, we talked about some e-mail we received from a 15-year old young man named Phillip who dreams of coming to Japan and experiencing this fine country for himself someday. Right now he is shooting for coming here after graduating from high school
Phillip is saving his money but is wondering whether he will be able to accumulate enough to cover his air fare and his stay.
Phillip asks:
Is there any way to get to Japan for little or no money (besides the cost of the plane ticket)? As an exchange student? Volunteer? Worker? Anything?
In the past your interesting and informative comments have helped others needing information about Japan, so I hope we can provide young Phillip with some direction so he might be able to realize his dream.
He could try a homestay. Check out a free English magazine (Kansai Scene), it may have personal ads offering homestays and other options. They also have a website. You’ll be needing money no matter what, though. Just don’t go to Tokyo if you’re on a budget. The country is cheaper, and you can take the train to the city for entertainment. Also… learn the language!
July 9th, 2008 at 3:19 pmLearn the language. There’s a workingholiday agency somewhere in Tokyo, forgot where though, unfortunately it was for all countries except us Dutch.
There is also an agency called WWOOF, but its only if you are interested in working on farms etc.
Or sign up for the JET programme, become an assistant language teacher in Japan.
If only I was younger
July 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pmIf there was a relatively easy way of traveling to Japan for free, it would be pretty popular. My suggestion is to learn a life lesson. If you want something, work for it. Take the time to get a job and get the discipline to earn and save money. If he wants to travel to Japan, he’ll have to be able manage finances and engage other people in commerce. As a closing thought, he may want to see about serving on a ship that travels to different ports or join the military and he will travel the world for free.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pmCheck out the Yamasa Institute. Very affordable housing options and two-month programs for students on standard tourist visas. Longer term, get a four-year degree stateside and a lot more doors will open.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:57 pmMy advice would be to find out what his city’s sister city in Japan is and explore there. There could be exchange programs between the two that would be his best bet.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:32 amI went to Japan for free on the JET Program, and I taught ESL in a high school for three years. All you need is a University degree of any kind. They give you a free plane ticket and a cheap place to live. Like you, I was dying to go to Japan for a long time, but I waited until graduating University. Since you love Japan so much, they’d definitely hire you.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:10 am