Flying to Japan soon! 去日本！

Hi everybody!

Sorry for the slow updates. I'm busy preparing my visa, luggage, insurance, university information, dental and health matters to Japan. Since many of you had asked me the same questions, I thought I'd just compile everything here :P

大家好！
一直沒更新，實在很抱歉。我正在準備出國的手續，行李，保險，大學資料，等。因為同事和學生們都問我很多同一個問題，所以我想就在這裡全部回答吧！

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Q: Where are you heading to?

請問你要去哪裡？

Tokyo, Shinjuku. 東京，新宿。

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Q: When is your last day at NYP? When will you fly?

你在南洋理工學院的最後一天是幾時呢？出國的日期呢？

My official last day is on 23rd March, but I will be clearing leave before that. So maybe it will be 16th. My date of departure is on 31st March midnight.
正式的最後一天是在3月23日。但是我會清掉我的假期，所以最後可能是16日。我的班機在3月31日午夜。

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Q: For how long?

多久？

I'll be studying the Japanese language in a government school for1 year, then apply for a masters course in another Japanese university. Total 3 years.
我會在政府的日語學校唸1年，然後申請日本大學院2年。總共3年。

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Q: What will you be studying?

請問唸什麼？

My first year is Japanese language, then I need to apply for a masters course in media design/manga. They are 2 different schools.
第一年唸日語，然後申請進入漫畫／媒體研究科。兩間都是不同的學校。

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Q: Which school?

哪兒間學校？

My first year is in the Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center, JASSO. After which I am free to enter into the university of my choice (currently still researching).
第一年會在日本學生支援機構東京日本語教育中心。然後選擇自己的大學院（在尋找中）。

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Q: Where will you stay?

住哪兒？

A small dormitory in school for first year, then look for own apartment when I change to university.
第一年住在日語學校的宿舍內，畢業後就找自己的公寓。

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Q: How did you afford these?

哇，你怎麼付得起啊？

ASJA (Asia Japan Alumni) scholarship. Tuition, air tickets (one round only) and monthly stipend is covered. There may be some allowance for textbooks, electronic dictionary and laptop.
通過ASJA (Asia Japan Alumni)的奬學金。有包括學費，來回機票和每月零用錢。部份課本，電子詞典和膝上電腦也可贊助。

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Q: Is there a bond?

請問畢業後必須回國服務嗎？

Nope :P , but they have tons of compulsory activities to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
不用 :P。但是會有很多規定參與的文化交流活動。

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Q: I'm interested, are there other scholarships?

請問還有其它奬學金嗎？

JUGAS (Japan University Graduates Association of Singapore) will have their own scholarship to encourage Singaporeans to further their education in Japan, funds are currently being raised. Otherwise there's always the MEXT scholarship directly offered by the Japanese government every year. I sat in their examinations for two years and their papers kept changing. Your best bet is to have a good Japanese first before applying. There's no exam for ASJA.

JUGAS (Japan University Graduates Association of Singapore)將會有自己的奬學金來鼓勵本地學生前往日本深造。除此之外也有每年的MEXT，日本政府頒發的奬學金。我有兩年都去參加他們的考試，每年的考題都不一樣。最好是先有好的日語。ASJA的就不用考試了。

Another scholarship for Media students is from MDA, but it only pays for tuition only and a bond relative to the sum given, up to 2 years in any media-related companies. NAC also provides scholarship for fine arts major.

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Q: Any tips to get scholarships?

有什麼申請奬學金的心得嗎？

Good grades will definitely help. You'll also need recommendation letters from both previous school and employer. Usually, there will be essays to express your deep interest in the Japanese culture as well as how to contribute back into your society when you return. Prepare for tons of paperwork and photocopying.
當然要有好的成績。前學校和顧主的推薦書也很重要。通常也得寫一篇關於你對日本文化的熱衷和如何學成回歸社會的文章。你也得準備很多文件處理和影印的工作。

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Q: Which airline did you booked?

你會乘坐哪兒家航空呢？

I booked SIA because I thought it will be more lenient with extra checked-in baggage.  But I was wrong! My request was rejected so I can only check in 20kg luggage. Boo... Should have booked ANA or JAL instead.
新航。因為我以為可以申請更多行李。結果我錯了！申請結果被拒絕（火大）。早知道就坐日本航空或全日空，比較便宜。