Hi!

I would like to apply next year to the LLM program in Kyushu University.

Does anyone have some information about the scholarship given by the university? Is it hard to be selected? What are the criterion of the selection?

Do you know roughly how much money does it cost to live one year in Kyushu? (accommodation, food...)

Finally , does the university helps the LLM students to find an accommodation ?

Thank you for all,

PS: I tried to reach the administration by mail, no answer... You're my last hope!!!! :)

I'm in the LLM program at Kyushu right now.

The scholarship is actually given by the Japanese government and not the University. I'm not sure how hard it is to be selected, but you can see on the Kyushu website what materials are required to apply so you can probably get an idea of what criteria are used to select from that.

The scholarship is extremely generous and is enough to cover the costs of living during the year. Compared to my home country (Canada) the cost of living in Fukuoka is quite reaosnable (and it is a great city as well). Plus you get an air ticket to and from your home country.

LLM students can stay at the Kyushu University International Residence, which is quite a good place to live. Its cheap and in a great location. You are free to live elsewhere in Fukuoka if you like, but you'll have to look for another place on your own.

Any other questions please let me know.

Thank you for your reply.

May I ask you if you're going to participate to the intership program in August? Do you want to work in Japan as a foreign lawyer? Isn't the market for us saturated? Do you think we should strongly consider to work in Japan after this diploma?

Thanks for your help!
Gia!

I'm afraid I don't have an answer to those questions. Its too early in the program to know if I'll be participating in the internship program, though I'd like to.

As for being a foreign lawyer in Japan, I really don't know what the market is like. I don't actually think many firms hire foreign lawyers to begin with (as none of us can practice law in Japan), and most of the foreign firms seem to hire mostly through their offices in the US or UK.

Most of the people in the Kyushu program seem to be planning on returning to their home countries after the program, though I know that some previous students have gone on to work at firms in Japan.

If I end up staying in Japan I'll be in a better position to give you a more informative answer in a few years!!

Thank you, this is very helpful...
What kind of position have the previous students now working in these firms in Japan? Are they japanese or foreign companies?

Sorry but do you know how many yen do a LLM student spend monthly in Kyushu? (you said it was cheap, but I really need figures) I don't need a precise amount, just a clue. Sorry to insist on that.

If you're planning to stay, we will meet each other then ;)

Domo aligato gosaimasu

I know that one student is working at an American firm in Tokyo, but I believe some others are working at Japanese firms (though I don't know any of these personally, just what I heard).

Its hard to say how much a student spends because it depends on the student.

If you live very frugally and live at the Kaikan you could get by spending maybe 100,000 yen per month. If you want to go out a lot and travel then obviously it will cost more. The scholarship gives you 170,000 per month so this is enough to live fairly comfortably.

You will need to bring some money with you when you arrive because the first scholarship payment is about a month after you arrive.

Generally, grocery shopping, clothes, restaurants and other things are quite cheap in Fukuoka. Like you can go out to dinner on 1000 yen at a lot of places.

Hi,

A brief description of how things are for foreign students in Kyushu University...

LLM students are guaranteed a unit in the University International (cluster) of dorms. Monthly costs for this would be around $100 ... though this might have already changed (but still very very very cheap compared to any other living situations one could find anywhere in the world - even in a third world country where I came from, this is already a bargain) This unit is fully furnished, quite small perhaps, but you do get aircon/heater (costs factored in), a fridge, bed, table, lamp, your own shower and toilet. The kitchen is communal per floor (about 7 students will have to share). This is the basic room, there are also other choices of course... such as couples room or family rooms to choose from (prices vary).

The campus is a 15 minute bicycle ride from the dorm (new bicycles go for as low as $50 here in Japan if you know where to look). By bus its a bit longer (20 minutes I think) and costs about $5 roundtrip ... so its suggested for students to get a bus pass ($70 per month) that will enable you to ride the bus system as much as you would want to any destinations within Fukuoka (I use to live quite far and without the bus pass, going to school alone costs me $18 roundtrip, so this bus pass was great help and allowed me to better explore the city).

The international airport is roughly $3 away by subway... this is important since I remember spending quite a lot when I was studying in Tokyo for a trip to Narita International Airport (which is by the way located not in Tokyo but in a different prefecture).

School cafeteria is normally priced as any National University in Japan, but you have other choices inside the campus. For those needing halal food, a cheap and delicious egyptian eatery sells a variety of dishes for as low as $4.

Across the dormitory, a huge discount mall/supermarket Jusco is conveniently located. Anybody who ever stayed in Japan would know of Jusco and its discount pricing especially on supermarket goods. It has a sprawling area right beside the bay... oh yes, the dormitory is just beside the bay as well... great for bbq or simple strolls.

We have COSTCO here as well... for those not familiar... hmmm its an american chain of discount membership shopping.

In case you get that itch to go to another foreign country during your stay in Japan (usually happens), Korea is just a ferry ride away... Pusan (Busan), Korea's 2nd largest city is a 3 hour (might be faster actually) ride away, with special discounts for trip packages costing less than $150 that included the fare an one night hotel stay (unfortunately this package uses the slower ferry)... I know it sounds crazy.

Nightspots at a discount? hahaha look me up when you get here. The places here are amazing, cant compare perhaps to Tokyo clubs in shibuya or ropopngi, but we dont have that nonsense no identification card / no date / no entry policy like they have in Tokyo ... foreigners are treated much better here in Fukuoka according to my friends.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

Hi guys!
Thank you for your replies, this is very helpful! I wasn't expecting so much details! Aligato

Antonio are you doing the LLM right now? Do you want to stay in Japan after you studies? Do you know some of your friends that have made the summer internship program? Do you think it is possible as a foreign student to find a job after this diploma in jp?
Thank you for the tips on the nightlife. Sounds interesting!
I hope I'll be selected!
Matane!

Hi there!

I'll be going on student exchange this year. As my term ends May and the Japanese term starts Oct, I was wondering if I should go to Japan for 4 months beforehand to learn the language.
Do you think it's a good idea?
Do you know if there are free language courses for exchange students? Is there accomodation before term time?


thanks!

Im also interested in the Kyushu LLM in int. business law.

Does anyone know the excact entry requirements for this program - I mean average grades /GPA etc.?

How many students are admitted to the program per year? - I have read that as many as 10 students get the monbukagakusho scholarship every year...=)

How is the quality of the teaching and the workload? And how is the social life? Are there many international students and what countries are people from?

Thanking you in advance=)

Not too sure about the GPA requirements. 10 students do get the scholarship each year, which is quite generous.

The faculty is quite good with some very good profs. The workload is about average, though it would vary depending on what courseload you chose. Students are expected to complete either a 50 or 70 page thesis, depending on whether or not they want to participate in the intern program.

The social life is great. Almost all the students live in the same residence complex, which fosters a lot of social interaction. There are about 30 people in the program (15 in the LLM program and 15 in the YLP program, but the distinction is largely administrative as we all take the same classes). Probably 2/3 of the students come from Asian counties and 1/3 from the rest of the world.

Regarding the classes, I have heard that the rumor that the classes of Prof. Igimi are great.

Is there anyone here applying IEBL program at Kyushu Uni. this year?

hey~~all~~just wondering how many people are there in this forum applying for the IEBL this year?? is the competition that severe??~~~~answering the second stage questions right now~~~just give it a try~~dont know what will happen~~~cheers guys~~~

I am from mainland,China and applied for the LL.M. in Kyushu.

Im a mainlander as well~~ how was your interview?? Did you apply for other program at other Uni.?? It is said that the result will come out in late March~~ nerves-wrecking~~~

i did as well recieve the notice that the result will come out in the late March,i am also wondering what will happen.Nice to hear from you!