All About Overseas Education

[Imp75]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2114921\" time=\"1690594398\" user_id=\"13281:

Broadly speaking, the level of international diversity in universities in Japan, Germany, Spain, France, will not be at the same level as that of US, UK, Canada which are more 'melting pot'. In those countries, to mix with the locals, there is a significant language barrier, so it may be 'harder'.

University education is free or nearly free in Germany.

Yes understood Germany uni is free even for foreigners, maybe that’s why some took it for third lang. My girl is v sure she’s going to try for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto university after A. I know the Japan uni rankings are not high but if she’s really interested, I won’t stop her. Just not sure if there’s a local job market back for her or she’s gonna stay there forever which is not great for work/life balance. Surprisingly Japan public universities (those I mentioned) are cheaper than local uni even for foreigners but foreigners hv to spend foundation year learning Jap even though they are proficient.

[ChiefKiasu]

I think it's great to learn and use a foreign language as you can minimally become a translator when worlds collide

[SG_KP1]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2114923\" time=\"1690594896\" user_id=\"2358:

Yes understood Germany uni is free even for foreigners, maybe that’s why some took it for third lang. My girl is v sure she’s going to try for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto university after A. I know the Japan uni rankings are not high but if she’s really interested, I won’t stop her. Just not sure if there’s a local job market back for her or she’s gonna stay there forever which is not great for work/life balance. Surprisingly Japan public universities (those I mentioned) are cheaper than local uni even for foreigners but foreigners hv to spend foundation year learning Jap even though they are proficient.

IMO, these global rankings are filled with all kinds of highly debatable issues. Nevertheless, people have their perception of things, and it's probably (somewhat) important to understand how things are viewed in places you may be looking for employment.

This is the UK's list of universities eligible for a visa (I'm sure others can get visas too; just saying this is one \"ranking\"), two are from Japan.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-potential-individual-visa-global-universities-list/high-potential-individual-visa-global-universities-list-2022

I'd generally encourage kids with an opportunity like this to go for it. It may be hard and there may be some uncertainty on the back end, but they will figure it out. Fortune favours the brave...

[Imp75]

Thanks for the UK visa list, it’s helpful. Tokyo and Kyoto are arguably the top uni in jpn somewhat like Peking and Tsinghua for china so it’s v competitive for the locals. I do hear these uni have a foreign quota so it may be less daunting or competitive for foreigners? There are also private universities in jpn somewhat more ex (still cheaper than Aust) but I am not sure in terms of reputation or employability? I find that some of these universities allow you to study there but in English and separate from the locals which to me is not v ideal. How ever how to compete locally with the local guys to study the local curriculum fully in Jap due to the lack of native language. Quite a dilemma isn’t it?!

[SG_KP1]

If studying the local curriculum (or predominantly the local curriculum) with local students, my impression is that most foreign kids will survive but it won’t be easy in Year 1 (maybe this is why some of the Japanese unis have a year to increase language capabilities). This is probably the same for some non-native English speakers that go to uni in all of the places mentioned above (or maybe even Singapore).


So realistically a gap will exist for many, and it won’t be easy to compete with native speakers at the highest level. But you will still be a graduate from XYZ and have some advantages vs. the rest of the field locally. And you may have some distinct advantages depending on how you parlay all of your background and experiences to get a job elsewhere.

I guess people migrate to different countries with all types of disadvantages, but they figure out how to make it work…

[Coolkidsrock2]

Think it is all about choices and make decisions based on what suit us best.

[Imp75]

My friend suggested take the safer route go NuS but do exchange in Japan or take Jap modules from Nus language centre so best of both worlds? Somehow it’s not the same right?!

[lee_yl]

PSC used to send scholars to Japan/France/Germany but over the years, fewer and fewer people chooses to go to a non-speaking country to do their degree, mainly because of the language barrier which makes life tougher over there. Non-native speakers need 6 months to 1yr to learn the language and adapt to life over there.


But talking about diversity, our country should encourage more to go outside US and UK, to see the world from a non Anglo-Saxon perspective. If not, all will have the same mindset and the same world view. Not very good for Singapore. Govt should take proactive steps to encourage more Singaporeans to take a path less travelled.

For Singaporeans applying to top Jap Uni, may be easier than their local students because of the foreign quota.

I know of a few who are fans of Germany and Japan but they hesitate to do their degrees there because there is no guarantee in job placement unlike studying in NUS or US/UK. Even if one is from a reputable Jap Uni, some companies HR may not even be familiar and will the CVs just be chucked aside? Working in Japan for the females will a challenge because the men there only see the (even high ranking) females as tea ladies. The Japanese corporate culture is very misogynistic and gender discrimination is blatant.

[zac's mum]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2114933\" time=\"1690600871\" user_id=\"2358:

My friend suggested take the safer route go NuS but do exchange in Japan or take Jap modules from Nus language centre so best of both worlds? Somehow it’s not the same right?!

Not the same, if u want to make friends with a wider base of Japanese and converse/write more in Japanese. Back home u still have the option to revert back to comfortable Singlish when u dabao food/process red tape at the bank etc?

Anyway a brief search throws up some personal sharings. I’m sure your gals could do more research (in Japanese forums too) before making the decision:

https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/comments/9shcsn/are_japanese_universities_as_bad_as_people_say/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

https://mothership.sg/2019/12/japan-work-singaporean/

https://mothership.sg/2018/03/things-a-singaporean-learnt-while-working-in-japan/

[Imp75]

Yes thanks ZM. She is definitely going provided she can get scholarships and she has the choice universities in mind. Not an easy decision or journey. Kudos to those who did a lot of research regarding overseas uni application + scholarship…it’s really a lot of hardwork navigating through many websites and listening to talks etc and the application deadlines (way before A levels).