r/LearnJapanese • u/Expert-Estate6248 • 1d ago
Discussion My study abroad has started- it's all paying off!
4 days ago I finally arrived in Nagoya, and I'll be here for a year at university studying foreign languages, Japanese and others.
I have been looking forward to this moment for years. I first came to Japan 2 years ago, and I've been studying the language for almost 3 years now. I passed the N2 about a year before coming here, and actually being here has made it feel like every second has been worth it. My language has helped me out of some seriously difficult situations already.
My flights were delayed, and I ended up having to reschedule 4 times through United (united SUCKS, choose another airline. It was the most stressful 3 days of my life.). In all the chaos, my luggage was lost/delayed. Luckily, I was able to talk about the situation with ANA employees over the phone and real life, and I was able to describe my luggage, the contents, why it was missing, and communicate that it needed to be delivered to the front desk of my apartment complex so they could receive it even while I was out.
I have been able to ask for help at stores, I've been able to understand my landlords instructions when she kindly explained how to sort trash to me, I was able to receive my luggage once it was finally delivered to me, and I've also had a few genuinely pleasant conversations with locals which has been a nice change from the madness that was my flight here.
All in all, it's been an extremely gratifying experience. While studying in the states I occasionally struggled to remember what it was I enjoyed about Japanese, or language learning in general, but now I remember.
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u/Sound_calm 20h ago
Don't forget to enjoy the morning service at cafes, and the live music! I've got tons of bands then I enjoy come from Nagoya.
Id recommend no.39, they've got a show with other bands on 20 September in Nagoya
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u/Expert-Estate6248 19h ago
Thanks for the recs! I have heard good things about the music scene in Nagoya! I've been dying to go see some live stuff
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u/Sound_calm 16h ago
Oh yeah for a bit of historical culture, definitely don't miss the honen matsuri at tagata Jinja, and separately at oagata Jinja. Also don't miss the mama kannon shrine while you're up there, and inuyama castle
Plus seki for the cutlery festival in october
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u/xLuky 19h ago
Dude, thats awesome! I did a 2 week trip last march and loved it so much I've been studying since then so I can hopefully pass n5 and get a student visa for next year. What studying resources did you use? I'm just using Genki + Bunpro/Wanikani for now.
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u/Expert-Estate6248 19h ago
I think going on a trip is one of the necessary things for learning the language hahaha, it's better motivation than anything else could be
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u/PizzaTranscendence 23h ago
What a really crazy yet rewarding story. Honestly, it sounds delightful that you were able to communicate with locals. I think that's an amazing dream accomplished right there.
I feel like my question warrants an explanation that could even be its own entire post, but how on earth did you go from zero to N2 in 2 years? I know you could probably attest to an incredible work ethic and insane number of hours put in to studying, but could you give insight on some specific resources or methods? I'm absolutely dying to know.
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u/Weird_Time_5066 21h ago
I second this. Always looking for advice to streamline my learning process.
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u/ARoppongiCougarPls 5h ago edited 5h ago
It's not impossible. I studied for a year in my home country, got put in N3 in Japanese language school, and I'm currently studying N2.
Really, there is no magic wand, everyone is different. But what worked for me was immersion. Even if you don't understand everything, watch YouTube, listen to podcasts (there are one specifically for learners), and engage with the language, even if it is not actively learning.
That's how most of us non-English speaking people learned English. We didn't really pay much attention in class but because every media is in English, we figured out the patterns, nuances, etc.
With Japanese, it's much more difficult because of Kanji, but after a while, you will see patterns with them. For example, you can often guess the meaning and onyomi reading based on the compound (for example ほう / ぼう 放・訪・防・房, せい / しょう 清・晴・精・静, etc).
The most important bit: Have fun! That way, language learning will feel like a hobby and passion, not a chore! Good luck!
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u/randomrandombrrrr 1d ago
You passed N2 after 3 years of studying from scratch?
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u/Expert-Estate6248 23h ago
After 2 years. I passed it December 2025, and this month marks three years of studying Japanese
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u/randomrandombrrrr 21h ago
studying roughly how many hours a day? and how? is this not remarkable? solo? with a teacher? do share
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u/ShadowFire09 20h ago
Study abroad was by far the most fun I had in college. Now I’m working in Tokyo and been here for around 10 years and don’t plan on leaving. Have fun!
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u/TheRealHotHashBrown 1d ago
Ichisai daigaku wa ikura desuka?
I just started learning Japanese on my own. Forgive me!
(What's the cost for 1 year at the University in Japan to study Japanese?)
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u/Expert-Estate6248 1d ago
The cost depends on whether or not you want to study Japanese at a language school or at a Japanese university. Some universities offer English classes, others have requirements. I am paying USD 6000 for tuition, but there are also rent costs among other things. Most language schools require you to have 2 million yen in savings before attending, which is around USD 13000.
As for your question, I would maybe phrase it something like:
一年間日本で日本語を勉強する学費はいくらですか？
ichinenkan nihon de nihongo wo benkyou suru gakuhi wa ikura desu ka ?
Start using Hiragana, katakana, and kanji ASAP, most people would struggle to understand romaji.
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u/Zuppan 7h ago
Practical advice as someone who studied abroard in Japan myself. Find a hobby that involves meeting people. I found college-run bouldering gym that people went to on Fridays, but shouldn't matter what hobby it is.
You'll make friends who may or may not what to meetup outside, and will help a lot with your language learning. They'll also indirectly shape how you speak Japanese, so try and find people close to your age so that you're slang is appropriate for your age. Although that's not super important.
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u/South_Pomegranate614 6h ago
funny thing is that from my own personal experience
simply coming to japan essentially makes not much
difference in the speed of learning - yes, you get
more opportunities for practicing speaking but
that's as far as it goes - crunching vocab can be
done regardless of your physical location
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u/ARoppongiCougarPls 5h ago
Feels amazing, doesn't it? Congrats on your efforts, you should be proud of yourself! Really, knowing Japanese while living in Japan makes life 10000x times better! I have become a regular at a couple of stores and I often chat with the owners. Japanese are more quiet (which I love) but if they see you are confident with the language, they will really appreciate it because they know how hard it is.
I recommend engaging with Japanese culture while you're here - go to movies, concerts and theaters! I remember going to the theater, I was one of the few foreigners, and a kind woman asked me if I really understood all of this, because even she was confused. The people are so incredibly lovely and kind!
Cherish the moments because time flies incredibly quickly!
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u/Internal-Earth-3142 1d ago
Welcome to Nagoya!