I want to do a year abroad in Japan, but I have some questions.
1. In a normal school, what’s the approximate level of japanese needed to understand classes? Is the speed and vocabulary practically impossible unless you’re a native speaker, or is there «school vocabulary» that can be understood once you know it?
2. I’va obviously heard school there is strict. I think I come from a non-strict country, and I’m worried it’ll be a bit of a culture shock. Does every school have long days, tons of homework, and strict teachers, or does it vary a lot? Is it like some of the jobs, where I’ve heard it’s more important to appear busy than actually doing work?
3. i have piercings (only ear lobes, not flashy) will i need to take them out during the school day?
4. I don’t think of myself as particularly social or anti-social, but I’m worried i won’t make many friends. Also, I’ve heard they think foreigners are a bit weird, since it’s such a homogeneous country. If any of you have gone on exchange, how did you make friends?
6. Even though i really want to go, I do have ADHD (somewhat high-functioning) which makes it harder for me to concentrate. I’ve heard Japan does not really have proper tools for people with mental disabilities, is that true? I assume there won’t be any help or special treatment with that. My japanese right now is maybe a low n4, and i’m planning to go in two years. I’ll probably fail most classes and have to retake a year. Even if I really want to go, I’m afraid I’ll spend a year with burnout, failed classes, and no friends. Would you say school and/or grades is the most important part of exchange, or is it more about the experience?
I realised i’ve said “they think” many times, and obviously there’s a scale, and everyone is different, not a hive mind. I’m referring to the majority in the big cities (like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)
English is not my mother tongue, sorry for errors!
Thank you!!
