TLDR; This is a continuation of how I chose the school to study Japanese in Tokyo. Do check out the first part, where I laid out my factors like location, cost, curriculum and how my research process went. This post is to share my considerations when choosing language school courses versus university programmes, along with my choice of Waseda University over Keio University.
In the previous blog I shared, I was faced with a matrix with both SNG Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute and Waseda University tying at the same score.
Considerations between SNG Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute and Waseda JLP
Before I even compared SNG Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute and Waseda’s Japanese Language Program (JLP), I mainly compared the curriculum and career prospects.
📝 Curriculum
Through Xuan’s blog and a few reddit entries, the sentiments I got from the Waseda University’s Japanese Language Program (JLP) was not too good at ensuring that Japanese is mastered. There were reviews on Reddit that mentioned how the students still had to supplement with the Japanese language school short-term courses after the one-year program.
Additionally, Waseda JLP boasted about its timetable flexibility. It has the same system in my university where I can pick my desired modules and lessons and plan the timetable. However, the flexibility in the schedule was its own double-edge sword for me.
There was the constant fear that I may select the modules wrongly as we have to self-assess our own comfort level of Japanese and apply for the desired modules accordingly. As compared to a language school, where everyone is on the same starting line, and there is consistency and structure in what is being taught.
On the other hand, with flexibility in the schedule, it would be easier for me to plan my out-of-school plans, meet friends, go for short travels, or even just head home to visit. I also planned to eventually find a part-time job to have experience out of school, so this is where a timetable flexibility can help.
👨💻 Post-Program Career Prospects
This is a point raised by older folks who are more concerned with how prospective employers would view my gap from work. Especially so when looking at an Asian society that values reputation, it might be easier to apply with a name as big as ‘Waseda’ on my CV.
Despite this point raised, during my research, it is known that after the Waseda JLP, the school does not support in finding a job and this was a common theme I saw raised in the reddit community. As compared to Language Schools that have said to support job-finding after the long-term course.
However, the common underlying point I noticed when reading multiple reddit threads was that the community in Language Schools vs Universities can be very different. Language Schools would have mostly foreigners, whereas in Universities, there is a higher chance of talking to locals through various school events.
How I chose Waseda University over Keio University
This was a fast choice as I looked into all the schools that had a Japanese Language Program (JLP) tied to it. I am of a business degree background and apart from Waseda, almost all schools specialised in Engineering instead. I am currently not looking for that jump so I decided it would be better. Additionally, Waseda’s location is much better. However, the defining moment was the application process.
Still in hardcopy era 🚫🖨
Keio University required most of it to be in hardcopy and mailed (yes, in 2023) compared to Waseda, which did everything electronically. Keio also had a stricter application deadline (which I almost missed) compared to Waseda. Keio’s deadlines were almost two weeks prior to Waseda’s deadline. This came as a shock to me as Waseda’s deadlines were about 3 to 4 weeks ahead of SNG Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute which I was preparing for.
No 100% perfect choice
Overall, there are mixed reviews about the different language schools and university Japanese language programs. Hence, it really depends on how you make use of the opportunity given! It sounds cliche but yet, everyone has a different style of learning.
Definitely, those that gained more from the programs and are said to triumph even after, were powered by passion which makes their hard work seem more enjoyable. The best would be to find the path that suits you the best.
Finally, the choice is made - Waseda!
In the next post, I’ll be sharing a glimpse of the clear application process for both schools so you can prepare beforehand, to really make sure you get all the documents sorted out fast!
See you in the next post!