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Study Abroad in Tokyo

Study Abroad in Tokyo

As one of the largest, most forward thinking cities in the world, Tokyo is a dream destination for any student looking to broaden their horizons over international waters. Below, we have listed some of the key reasons why you might want to choose Tokyo as your city to study abroad in. 

Size matters

Tokyo’s size is enormous: the metropolis counts for more than 13.9 million people (spread over 847.09 square miles – or 2,193.96 km2). The Greater Tokyo Area – the most populous metropolitan area worldwide – is home to around 40 million people. If living in the biggest urban cluster sounds exciting to you, then Tokyo might be the perfect study abroad destination for you.

Freedom to choose

The list of universities located in Tokyo is long: apart from 20 national and public universities, Tokyo includes some 130 private universities and numerous junior colleges. No doubt that you will find the right university for you there. There is the Tokyo University of Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan University, Kitasato University, Keio University, Nihon University, and many more besides.

Unprecedented opportunity to learn Japanese

The majority of university programmes in Japan are only offered in Japanese. However, there are a small number of universities offering four-year undergraduate degrees with courses taught entirely in English. Additionally, several universities offer one or more English courses at the master’s and/ or PhD level.

The perfect place to study in Japan

Tokyo is the Japanese centre of industry, trade, education and culture alike. It counts to the fifth biggest financial centres worldwide. The broad diversity of universities and its importance as Japan’s economic and educational hub make it a perfect place for your study experience abroad. Safety is an important point to consider when studying abroad. According to the current Numbeo Safety Index, Tokyo has a score of 76,64 – ranking it at number 31 of 427 cities globally for safety.

Tokyo is a global city, with a strong financial centre. It is rich in culture and history – offering historic sites, modern sightseeing buildings, and more than 50,000 restaurants. With its sheer size, Tokyo offers plenty to see and do as the world’s most populous metropolitan area. We are sure you will love the Tokyo life while studying there.

Food fever

The food on the streets of Tokyo is a force to reckon with. While travelling to other countries you may be used to having your food choices at a bare minimum, but in Tokyo, you will be constantly exposed to a whole world of culinary delights which will challenge your palate. Not only is the food quite delicious, but it is also comparatively pretty cheap. Sushi and sashimi are a ubiquitous part of Japanese dining. Of course, you will always encounter the hot pot, which is an experience in itself. Studying in Tokyo is definitely worth the food there!

The people

You will notice that people in Japan are very good natured. There is always a sense of respect for one another and you will hardly ever encounter people being rude. Just generally, people seem to care about the happiness and hospitality of people around them. It is a great turn around from Western culture, where people are not very helpful or polite.

Sakura Matsuri, the Cherry Blossom Festival

There’s no doubt the sakura matsuri is one of the most aesthetically pleasing visions in the world, with numerous parks around the city such as Ueno Park hanging their own lanterns during Hanami – an outdoor party that marks the beginning of the cherry blossom season.

Unrivalled public transport

Tokyo’s clean and efficient subway means that you can get wherever you need to be at a rapid speed, which makes getting around the city a total breeze. Being a megacity, the trains will become packed, but the negative of being squashed is nothing compared with the freedoms that such a vast, clean, fast system offers the adventurous student.

During your time off (holidays, weekends) you will find yourself wanting to explore more of what Tokyo and Japan has to offer. A bullet train is without doubt the best way to do so as they cover vast distances quicker than normal trains. Bullet trains are notorious for their punctuality. In fact, in November 2017, a Japanese bullet train company issued an apology for departing 20 seconds early.

SEE ALSO: Study Abroad in Seoul

Which Universities Brought Home the Gold Medallists for the U.S. in Tokyo 2020?

Once again, the United States topped the medal table on the final day of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, surging in front of China, collecting 39 golds, 41 silvers and 33 bronzes totalling to 113 medals. Taking into account the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, the US have amassed 2,941 total medals among the summer and winter games, along with 1,166 gold medals.

The majority of the athletes representing the Unites States have gotten into college or have plans to enrol imminently. Information from the NCAA states that from the complete 626 members within the 2020 US Olympics team, around 75% of the athletes have participated in the various division levels at the colleges in which they attended.

Out of all of the 39 gold medal winners, the Universities that reigned supreme were the University of Southern California and Stanford University, tied at the top with 10 gold medallists each which includes the likes of Katie Ladecky (Stanford University) winning two golds in the swimming and Allison Felix (University of Southern California) winning gold in the Women’s 4x400m relay.

The full list of gold medal rankings:

1st (Joint) – University of Southern California & Stanford University (10 golds each)

  • University of Southern California: April Ross (beach volleyball); Kendall Ellis, Allyson Felix, Dalilah Muhammad (women’s track); Rai Benjamin and Michael Norman (mens’ track); Kaleigh Gilchirst, Stephanie Haralabdis, Paige Hauschild and Amanda Longan (women’s water polo).
  • Stanford University: Valarie Allman (discus); Alix Klineman (beach volleyball); Katie Ladecky (two golds in swimming); Aria Fischer, Mackenzie Fischer, Jamie Neushul, Melissa Seidemann, Maggie Steffens, (women’s water polo); Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson and Kathyrn Plummer (women’s volleyball).

3rd (Joint) – University of Connecticut & UCLA (6 golds each)

  • University of Connecticut: Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi (women’s basketball); Stefanie Dolson (women’s 3 x 3 basketball).
  • UCLA: Jru Holiday and Zach Levin (mens’ basketball); Rai Benjamin (men’s track); Rachel Fattal, Maddie Mussleman, and Alys Williams (women’s water polo).

5th (Joint) – University of Kentucky, University of Texas & University of Minnesota (5 gold each)

  • University of Kentucky:  Sydney McLaughlin (women’s track); William Shaner (shooting); Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker and Keldon Johnson (men’s basketball).
  • University of Texas: Ryan Crouser (men’s shot put); Lydia Jacoby (women’s swimming); Kevin Durant (men’s basketball); Ariel Atkins (women’s basketball); Chiaka Ogbogu (women’s volleyball).
  • University of Minnesota: Gable Stevenson (men’s wrestling); Bowen Becker (men’s swimming); Tori Dixon, Sarah Parsons and Hannah Tapp (women’s volleyball).

8th (Joint) – Pennsylvania State University & The University Notre Dame (4 golds each)

  • Pennsylvania State University: David Taylor (men’s wrestling); Micha Hancock, Megan Courtney and Haleigh Washington (women’s volleyball).
  • The University Notre Dame:  Lee Kiefer (fencing); Skylar Diggins-Smith and Jewell Loyd (women’s basketball); Jackie Young (women’s 3 x 3 basketball).

10th (Joint) – The University of South Carolina, University of Nebraska, Louisiana State University and Texas A and M University (3 golds each)

  • University of South Carolina: A’ja Wilson (women’s basketball); Allisha Gray (women’s 3 x 3 basketball); Wadeline Jonathas (women’s track).
  • University of Nebraska:  Jordan Larson, Justine Wong-Orantes and Kelsey Robinson (women’s volleyball).
  • Louisiana State University: Michael Cherry and Vernon Norwood (men’s track); Sylvia Fowles (women’s basketball).
  • Texas A & M University: Athing Mu (women’s track); Bryce Deadmon (men’s track); Khris Middleton (men’s basketball).

As a collective, 47 different US universities and colleges managed to acquire a gold medal winner from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games among their alumni.

 

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