G.K. Chesterton once said: "The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land." In other words, the importance of travel, and especially in the case of studying in a foreign country, is to absorb your new environment, making it your new home.
My experiences studying for nine months at Nihon University were not perfect. They were fraught with financial and other troubles. At one point I was spending money like mad, my pocketbook and life savings finally depleted. Besides the financial situation, there were many other inconveniences from the beginning. Nevertheless, I do not regret any of it. However, I would like to give anyone interested some advice concerning their study abroad experiences.
One of the advantages of studying in Japan is that it is a very clean and modernized country, meaning you will not have the trouble of getting shots to prevent catching some disease whose name defies pronunciation. So, traveling itself won't pose too many problems, as long as you have your visa and other documentation. As for what to bring, I think it is best to pack lightly and buy whatever you need in Japan. Don't worry about Japan's high prices; clothes and other essentials are inexpensive, especially if you shop at places like 100 yen shops and suburban department stores such as Ito Yokado. Trust me: you do not want to carry a 70-lb suitcase around with you.
In the first week you will be battling jetlag, which will partially immobilize you. Nevertheless, there are several things you must do. First, you must apply for an Alien Registration Card at the local City or Ward Office. After two weeks you can receive the card, which will allow you to get a cell phone or open a bank account. You can access your American accounts via the several Citibank branches or the Post Office ATMs, but it is much more convenient to have a ubiquitously accessible Japanese account. It's much better than leaving tens of thousands of yen hidden in a sock.
Your housing situation will be Spartan; don't expect a furnished apartment like I did. Your room will be around 9 by 12 feet, with shared toilet and shower rooms, as well as a public bath and dining hall open every day excepting Sundays and holidays. You will receive breakfast and dinner; lunch is on your own. It's mostly Japanese home cooking, and the western dishes are something else entirely. However, it's all delicious, and you will get used to eating salad with your breakfast. Your dormitory will be mostly populated by Japanese students and even company workers. Don't be shy; make some friends, and do as the Romans, or in this case the Japanese do.
Your only transportation will probably be by train or subway. With a student I.D. train passes are very affordable, and if you live far away give you and opportunity to explore Tokyo. From the dormitory it will take you 40 minutes or more to get to the College of Economics, which is located in the heart of Tokyo. At the College you are on your own, and there are only a few classes in English. If you wish, you can also sign up for the Intensive Japanese Language program, which will help brush up your Japanese. This program also has many cultural events such as tea parties and excursions to sumo tournaments. You will also be able to make friends with foreign students from around the world.
Your social life is what you make of it. You can vegetate at your dorm, or you could hit the streets and party in a bacchanalian orgy. I think that the preferred lifestyle is somewhere between the two. If you join a University Club, such as Kendo, Fishing, Manga, or whatever, you will be able to meet some people with a similar interest, such as drinking alcohol. I was a member of the English club, and the only one really able to speak English, oddly enough. Through the club, I was able to make friends whom I can never forget. However you spend your time at Nihon, you should make the best of it.
There are many things which I did not mention, because it is best for you to experience them yourself. Don't forget to keep a diary and take some pictures of your time spent in Japan, a time which for me made for the fondest of memories.
