Ms. Đỗ Minh Hằng

Born in 1996 in Vietnam
2014: Graduated from high school, enrolled in Japanese language school (Vietnam)
2016: Graduated from Japanese language school
2017: Entered university in Kyushu (Miyazaki Prefecture)
2021: Graduated from university and started working (Kumamoto Prefecture)

Passed JLPT-N2 in my Home Country!

I decided to study Japanese because I failed the university entrance exam in my home country. I studied for 1 year and 10 months at a reputable Japanese language school (photo) and passed the N2 exam right after graduation. I took classes in the mornings at the school and studied on my own for a total of six hours in the afternoons at the school in two separate sessions. It was the period of my life when I studied the most. My efforts at that time became the foundation for me to be able to study abroad at a Japanese university and to find a job in Japan.

Studying at a University from the Beginning

If you pass N2 or higher, you can apply to Japanese universities even if you have not studied at a Japanese language school in Japan. So, I took the essay test and online interview at the Vietnam office of a university (in Miyazaki Prefecture) affiliated with the Japanese language school I attended in Vietnam, passed the exam, and began studying in Japan in April 2017.

All classes at the university were taught in Japanese, and at first, I could only understand about half of the classes. I felt intimidated and put a lot of effort into preparing for classes. I looked up any Japanese words I did not understand in the preparation, and if a word came up in class that I did not understand, I made a note of it and looked it up at home. In chemistry and microbiology classes in particular, there were many difficult technical terms, so I put a lot of effort into reviewing as well as preparing for class. After the third year, when my Japanese language skills had improved, I was fine with just reviewing.

Costs of Studying in Japan and Sending Money

At this university, tuition was half price for international students. At half price, the admission fee was 125,000 JPY and tuition was 589,000 JPY each year. My parents paid the admission fee and the first year’s tuition. Because the tuition was half price and the cost of living (housing, etc.) was low in Miyazaki, I received only 50,000-100,000 JPY from my parents after the second year, and I was able to cover the rest through part-time work. My main part-time jobs were at restaurants and supermarkets.

What are the Costs and Income of International Students in Japan?

Costs and Income while Studying in Japan Do you know that it is difficult to earn money for living expenses and tuitions while studying in Japan by only working part-time? This section will give you an idea of how much it costs to live in Japan and how much you can earn by working part-time.

Finding a Job in Japan

I began gathering information about employment opportunities in Japan in January of my junior year of college, and attended recruiting sessions at about 10 companies between March and July. I searched for companies on job websites, etc., attended a company’s recruiting sessions, and submitted my resume to the companies I was interested in. In my case, the university’s employment office provided me with guidance on resume writing and interviews. I was invited for interviews by four companies and was hired by a food manufacturer in Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a large company with many technical intern trainees working there.

The main questions asked at each company interview were “How can you contribute to our company?”, “What do you want to work hard for after joining the company?”, “Who do you respect and why?”, and “What news have you been interested in recently?”

If you come to Japan after improving your Japanese language skills in your home country, like I did, you can shorten your study period and greatly reduce the cost of studying abroad. I hope my experience will be helpful.

Job Hunting Schedule for International Students

How can international students find jobs in Japan? Looking for a job in Japan is called Shukatsu (job hunting). Some schools explain that job hunting starts in April, but many students start preparing before that. Here is the schedule of job hunting.

A Story of an International Student #2: Overcoming Job Hunting and Enjoying Working Life

During her study in Japan, Ms. Thảo Nhi improved her conversation skills by talking a lot with Japanese people at her part-time job. She had a hard time when she first started job hunting, but in the end, she found a job with a good working environment. Here is her story.

Working in Japan – Pay, Overtime Pay and Paid Leave

This article tells you how salaries are calculated for foreigners working in Japan.. It also explains the overtime pay and paid leave systems.

If you want to know more, check here!

Job Hunting Guide for International Students | JASSO

Employment Service for foreigners | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare