Ever wondered what it’s like to be a language student in Japan? We catch up with William, a Coto School Finder student who came to Japan this April 2023.

William recently completed his first semester studying the Japanese language at Toyo Language School in Tokyo. Wanting to work in the creative field, the dedicated team at Coto School Finder and William decided that Toyo would be the best language school option for him because of its comprehensive job-hunting support, engaging class, and personalized curriculum. Let’s hear what he has to say!

Hi William! It’s great to catch up with you. First, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in a city called Curitiba in Brazil. As a little kid, I always had an interest in Japan — probably because where I grew up, there was just a strong Japanese community. My grandparents and parents all grew up with Japanese people around them, so it’s only natural Japan became a big influence in my life.

Is this your first time visiting Japan?

Actually, no! In 2017, I came to Japan and lived for two years. Back then I came as a service missionary for a church. During that time, I didn’t know any Japanese at all, but because I grew up in a city full of Japanese people in Brazil, I still felt somewhat at home, if that makes sense. 

Two years! Why did you decide to study Japanese and come to Tokyo again?

One of my goal is to find a job in Japan. And being in Tokyo, I thought it would be the perfect place since it’s such a big city with so many opportunities. I graduated in illustration, so I’d love to work in a creative field like graphic design, animation, video game design, and more!

Speaking of Japanese culture, how have you enjoyed living in Japan for the second time?

Now that I’m a student, I feel like I’m more free to explore and really immerse myself in Japan. So, and it has been really interesting meeting a lot of people from different countries and different places and understanding their way of thinking.

You’re close to finishing your first semester at Toyo Language School. Congratulations! How is your experience at the school so far? 

It has been super fun! The teachers are energetic and really engaging. They really do help you in class or outside class. The unique My Teacher system is their strongest point. Every semester, I get to talk with my teacher — not just about things like school work or learning goals, but also about life in Japan in general. 

There was one time when I was applying for jobs and making my resume. I consulted with my teacher, Shibuya-sensei, and he was able to help me be more personable and more understanding of Japanese culture.

What about the classes you’re taking?

There are two types of pace you can choose: Walking and Running. The course I’m taking right now is called Running Course, so it’s a bit more intensive. Talking with my teacher, we decided to have me start on the N3 level and learn at a fast pace, because I was already so used to speaking Japanese. 

Sounds fun! What’s the biggest challenge when it comes to living in Japan?

I would say just about anything — haha! Well, if it is your first time coming to Japan, just be mindful and open-minded about whether you’re in a different country. Japanese people can be very indirect, so just be patient and mindful of those little things, even if you’re not yet understanding all of the Japanese.

How has Coto School Finder’s service helped you come to Japan? 

Using Coto School Finder has just made the whole process easier. I was talking with people that knew how the process went, but if I was doing it by myself, I wasn’t sure if I was doing things right. For example, I wouldn’t know which school is right for me.

Oh — and that’s another great thing about Coto. I get to discuss the right school option, and I’m glad I trust them. 

The coordinator at Coto School Finder is always checking in on me throughout the application process, which just made me feel more comfortable with moving to a different country all by myself and starting everything new here.

What advice would you give to other students who want to study in Japan?

Just be patient! Learning Japanese, as with other languages, takes time, but if you focus on not just learning the language, but the culture and people, it will help you understand the language faster!

Thank you, William! We wish you all the best with your language studies!

Want to live in Japan? Start by learning Japanese. Partnering with 16 of the top language schools across Japan, Coto School Finder will assist you in finding the right program and applying for a student visa — for free!

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