How You Can Study Nursing in Japan
One of the most sought-after destinations for international students is Japan. This is because of the top-quality education you can get in this country. Japan is a country very popular for her rich culture and heritage. It has many temples and vast beautiful scenery such as mountains and rivers which will interest any visitor. As an international student you will have many interesting places to visit, including many temples and parks where you can enjoy nature in the middle of a bustling city.
Nursing is a very lucrative course and an exciting career choice too. If you want to study nursing in Japan, you will have the benefit of meeting diverse people, enjoying exquisite local food, and most importantly studying in top-notch universities and colleges that are internationally recognized. Educational institutions in Japan have nursing curriculum that is in line with what other international schools offer.
There are several undergraduate and graduate courses in nursing which present you with vast opportunities in developing your career in different specializations of this profession. If you want to study nursing in Japan then you should read this article to learn the requirements and step-by-step process for achieving this dream. Here are steps you can follow in order to study nursing in Japan.
1. Find out the Qualifications of Being a Nurse in Japan
The first thing you do is to know what it takes to make you eligible to study nursing in Japan. For anyone to become a nurse in Japan, they have to finish high school and complete a nursing degree. So how do you study to become a nurse in Japan? There are three ways you can study nursing in Japan and successfully obtain a degree. The first is through a four-year programme in the university/college of nursing. Another option is through a three-year programme in a junior college of nursing. Then you can also become a trained nurse through a three-year nursing school diploma programme. When you conclude your training you have to pass the national examination to practice the profession in Japan country. If you are interested in furthering your career, you can enroll in specialized courses to have the opportunity to become a public health nurse, licensed school nurse, certified nurse specialist, and many more. .
2. Find out about Nursing Schools in Japan
Before you choose a nursing school you have to have a list of criteria which you would consider before deciding the school you want to enroll in. Your priorities might include considerations of location, that is, whether you want to study in the city or the countryside. Is the school located in a more budget-friendly city? These questions will guide you in choosing a school. This is why you have to first get to know the nursing schools in Japan, there location and quality of training, the school’s size and nursing curriculum, whether it is a big university or a small college, available facilities, before you can take a decision to enroll in any of the schools.
3. Pass their English and Japanese Requirements
Many schools in Japan offer bachelor’s degree in nursing in Japanese language while some nursing graduate degrees are offered in the English language curriculum. Any international student that wants to successfully study nursing in Japanese language will have to familiarize with the language. Despite the fact that many people can speak English in Japan, you will find yourself in some places where English is not a common language, especially in the countryside. This is why it will be good to learn the Japanese language so you can easily navigate the cities and countryside whenever you want to. This means that you are required to take Japanese language courses if you do not have sufficient Japanese proficiency.
4. Be Prepared Financially
You have to be prepared with the adequate fund to take care of your stay and study in Japan. Having a desire to study in Japan is just not enough. You have to be prepared to meet the total costs of taking care of your stay during the study period especially if you are not on scholarship. If you have a lean budget you can consider studying at a public university in a less popular city or even in the countryside. These are places where the cost of living is known to be less expensive than living in popular cities such as Tokyo. You also have to consider the type of school you are enrolling in because this will determine the cost of tuition to be paid. If you want to study in Japanese national universities, the cost of tuition is the same for all. If you prefer a private university, expect the costs to be much higher and vary per school. You can also apply for scholarship and follow it through until you get it. Most nursing schools in Japan have scholarship programmes and financial aid that can help you meet the cost of studying in the country. Get to know the schools that offer such opportunities and apply for the scholarship programme. You can also have a part-time job to help pay off the expenses if you have enough time outside your study schedule and visa permit that allows you to work. This is how most international students in Japan earn extra income to take care of their bills.
5. Prepare Your Application
After selecting the nursing school that meets your budget and other essential criteria, you can start preparing your documents for application. You can get more complete details of studying nursing in Japan by going to the nursing school’s website to see the list of requirements. There are websites in English language and some others in Japanese language. You might have to use a translation tool to be able to use the websites in Japanese language because that is where you will get the complete information. The English versions of the website may not show the complete information.
6. Submit Your Application to Nursing Schools
After preparing and going through your application to make sure you have completed the requirements of studying nursing in Japan, you then send your application form to the nursing schools you applied to. Follow the application process which is simple and make sure you adhere to instructions listed on the official website of the schools. You send out your documents and have them reviewed. Once the interview is fixed you go well prepared to sit for it. Also take required examinations. You will surely get accepted by one of the schools you applied to.
7. Apply for Japanese Student Visa
You need a student visa before you can study in Japan. It is always advisable to apply for a student visa at least three months before your expected date of arrival. The documents the Japanese embassy will require may depend on your nationality. If you have a plan to stay more than 90 days in Japan, you are required to submit your valid passport, filled application form with signature, one 2×2 photograph, copy of acceptance letter from the nursing school, proof of financial capacity such as your bank statement, or maybe a scholarship grant. Keep in mind these documents are to be photocopied as you will send the original and photocopies as well. With a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a sponsor for your visa, the embassy will not need you to provide most of the requirements listed above. You will only need your valid passport, completed application form, one 2×2 photograph, and the original Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Ministry of Justice in Japan. Note that you need to photocopy all of these documents because you will be required to submit the original and the photocopies to the embassy.
Finally!
If you want to study nursing in Japan you can achieve this dream by following instructions listed in this article and the guidelines provided on the official website of the nursing school you want to enroll in. It is always advisable to apply to more than one nursing school to increase your chances of getting accepted.