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Guide for New Students at Hokkaido University Contents: Part A: Tips for Newcomer
Part B. Additional Non-academic Information
PART A: Tips for Newcomer Things to do after arriving in Japan
Things to Bring
Expenses
PART B. Additional Non-academic Information
Japanese Language Courses: Even if you are attending study program in the English, you will need Japanese language for daily life. The best place to learn Japanese language and to meet foreign friends is the International Student Center (Ryuugakusei Center), which is located in the southern end of the university, you can see the campus map of Hokkaido University at http://www.hokudai.ac.jp/bureau/map-e/mapindx1-e.htm You can pick the necessary documents and registration forms for your Japanese language classes directly from the International Student Center. There are also other Japanese courses organized by Japanese volunteers. For details, see leaflets and advertisements accessible in the International Student Center. Whats on in Sapporo or Handbook for Daily Life handed out in the moment of registration in the ward office. International Student Center: For general problems, the best place to contact is the International Students Center, where you can find people in charge like Professor Hiroshi Kanagawa, Professor Michio Yoneyama and Professor Michiko Seki. Daily life: If you want to enjoy life in Japan and have more Japanese friends you can get useful information from the monthly brochure, "What's on in Sapporo" or Xena. You can also read from the information boards in the International Students Center or Sapporo International Information Plaza near the Clock Tower. Accommodations: If you are not allocated the University accommodation, you can find the apartments from many housing agencies in Sapporo. The first agency that you should go is the university CO-OP, which can provide various kinds of apartment with cheaper commission fee. Examples of the agencies are JOG, BIG, etc. There is also a good accommodation for foreign students in Toyohira Dormitory (Gakuen-mae). If they do not have any vacant room, they will help you find one in the city. For the way to choose the location of the house consider following points:
For the rental payment (yachin), you can also pay by transferring money to the owners account via ATM. When you move, you have to inform the ward office and the bank where you have an account so as to make sure that mails addressed to your previous address will be rerouted to your new address. Drop by at any post office to fill-up the form for the change of mailing address. Registration as foreign resident: As a person who will be staying in Japan more than 90 days (your visa status is "college student" and is valid for 2 years) you have to register at the ward office of the area where you live. This means that first you ought to have your own address in Japan. So after you have moved into the university accommodation or a rented a private apartment, go to the relevant district ward office to apply for your Alien Registration card. At the same place you can also apply for your Health Insurance; your tutor will help you to manage everything. You will be given a temporary document and will have to collect the Alien Registration Card during a certain period. Since you do not always carry your passport, the card is your most important document in Japan. You should carry this card all the time and show the same in many circumstances. You will be asked by the Academic Affairs Office to pronounce your name so that they can write it down in katakana correctly. Keep a copy of your correct name in katana with you. You should at least practice to write your name in katakana and pay attention to have the same name written in all your documents, bank accounts, etc. Transcriptions made by many (too many) different persons often vary and it is troublesome to make corrections once everything is done. Procedure for bringing your family to Japan: You will need some documents to get the Certificate of Eligibility to bring your family as dependent to Japan as follow:
Immigration office is located along Odori Street, Nishi (West) 11 Phone and mobile phone (keitai-denwa): If you want to have a landline, you should buy a line from NTT. It is cheaper to buy a used line (e.g. from a graduating student). Most of the students however use mobile phones since it seems to be a better option in their case. There are many discount promotions from various mobile phone companies. You should buy your mobile phone unit at the mobile phone shop because in other places the mobile phone itself may not bet free (depending on the model). There are many pre-paid international call cards with relatively cheap rates available at convenience stores and elsewhere. The rates differ from company to company and depend on which country you are calling. You should ask your senior for more information. Accessibility in Sapporo:
Banking:
Health Administration Center: If you have any concern about your health, please contact the Health Administration Center. The university provides a physical check-up (free of change) for all students every year (April to June) at the Health Administration Center. The date for physical check-ups is assigned by the faculty and will be announced in advance. Subsequent to the physical examination, a health certificate will be issued if necessary. The certificate is necessary when you apply for the postgraduate program, scholarships, and for entering the dormitories etc. However, it will not be issued to students who missed regular physical checkup without legitimate reason. Also if you submit your medical bill, after going to a doctor or hospital, attached to an application form to the office, you can get back up to about 80% of your bill. Health Insurance:
Travel Time: Aside from studying, you can also enjoy many activities during your stay in Sapporo. Different seasons bring different activities, which will delight you all year round.
If you want to enjoy your holiday or weekend you can get useful information on the notice board of ISC or Ryuugakusei center. Some organization, e.g. "House Friendship" often organizes tours and trips for foreign students for free or with minimal charge, while organization like HIPPO family organizes "home stay", etc. In Hokkaido University campus, you can see beautiful nature in every season. If you plan to travel outside Japan, be sure to get a re-entry visa from the Sapporo Immigration Bureau first. Car Rental: There are many rental car companies, which you can see from the CO-OP (seikyou) at Clark Kaikan. They have special offers for students. When you go to rent a car, you should ask about the insurance (hoken) covered by the company. Because some companies give you a cheaper price but the insurance is not all covered and you have to pay some amount in case of accident. Air Tickets: You can also check the prices of airtickets at seikyou (CO-OP). There are many ticketing companies in Sapporo, too. Some ads are published in Xena free English magazine which you can pick up at various places in Sapporo including International Student Center. Buses and Trains: Generally buses are a little cheaper than trains, but trains are faster. To save time and accommodation cost, taking an overnight buses (e.g. from Sapporo to Hakodate) is sometimes a good alternative. As a student you are eligible to discount tickets for JR trains. Student rate is 20% cheaper than normal fare but distance should be longer than 100 km. Before your planned travel you should take a certificate of your student status (from the automatic machine in the main lobby) and give it showing also your student ID - to a cashier when buying a ticket. A certificate is needed for each purchase. Flea markets: In Sapporo like in many other places all over Japan, there are numerous organized flea markets selling second-hand stuffs. Almost every Sunday there is some flea market somewhere in Sapporo. The most popular ones are in Nakajima-Koen (Park) and in winter, in Tsu-domu. In October, "Hokkaido Woman Association" organizes a bazaar at Ryuugakusei Center. From there you can get very cheap dishes (some dishes are given free of charge), kitchen wares and home appliances, etc. You can get more information from Ryuugakusei Center. Besides these informations, you can find more information about life and study in Hokkaido University is the Handbook For International Students. You can find the same information in the universities website. |
Note: These tips were originally prepared by EGPSEE students, later it was modified for new comer Nepalese students.
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