It's been difficult keeping track of how much I am spending while I am on my vacation. I have been in Taipei for the last 2 weeks and even though cost of living is supposed to be less than in Japan, I am still spending a lot.
It's really nice to be able to travel while we are on a 2-month vacation but it's easy for me to not keep to my budget because I am too carried away with all the new and exciting things to see and try in another country.
I will try to watch my budget when I am back in Japan but I will be going to Kansai and other parts of Japan so....er... guess I'll still be spending a lot more than I usually would.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Keio Housing and how to finding housing on your own in Tokyo
It is difficult because there are many restrictions such as getting a guarantor, key deposit...etc... so here are a couple of websites for real estate agents to help you guys out.
Enplus Inc. (Tokyo Apartments)- www.tokyoapartments.jp
Collective Residence- http://collectiveresidence.com
Japan Apartment- www.tokyoeasyrent.com/en
Fontana- www.tokyocityapartments.net
Sakura House- www.sakura-house.com
Me and my friends are using Fontana and they have reasonable priced housing in Tokyo(although the complex we are renting is rather old). The apartments are fully furnished so you don't have to worry about getting furniture.
About Keio Housing
I recommend Hiyoshi International House because it is perhaps the cheapest option (56000yen including utilities). The room is also spacious and comfortable.
All the dorms at Keio do not allow visitors in the apartments but Hiyoshi is perhaps the most lenient because they don't really monitor the students. I know that Plume and Shimoda has more restrictions because there's always someone at the front.
You may be able to bypass the front desk at Shimoda by going through the emergency door on the right side of the building. This is if you and your party intend to stay past 11pm (when all guests have to leave)
Most of the classes for both KIP and JLP are at Mita campus which is about 40 minutes from Hiyoshi. There is a Keio campus at Hiyoshi but the classes offered there are a few seminar classes and some beginning Japanese classes. If you think you are going to be placed in level 1 and 2, you might be taking some of your Japanese classes at Hiyoshi. Otherwise, you will most likely be having all your classes at Mita campus.
Enplus Inc. (Tokyo Apartments)- www.tokyoapartments.jp
Collective Residence- http://collectiveresidence.com
Japan Apartment- www.tokyoeasyrent.com/en
Fontana- www.tokyocityapartments.net
Sakura House- www.sakura-house.com
Me and my friends are using Fontana and they have reasonable priced housing in Tokyo(although the complex we are renting is rather old). The apartments are fully furnished so you don't have to worry about getting furniture.
About Keio Housing
I recommend Hiyoshi International House because it is perhaps the cheapest option (56000yen including utilities). The room is also spacious and comfortable.
All the dorms at Keio do not allow visitors in the apartments but Hiyoshi is perhaps the most lenient because they don't really monitor the students. I know that Plume and Shimoda has more restrictions because there's always someone at the front.
You may be able to bypass the front desk at Shimoda by going through the emergency door on the right side of the building. This is if you and your party intend to stay past 11pm (when all guests have to leave)
Most of the classes for both KIP and JLP are at Mita campus which is about 40 minutes from Hiyoshi. There is a Keio campus at Hiyoshi but the classes offered there are a few seminar classes and some beginning Japanese classes. If you think you are going to be placed in level 1 and 2, you might be taking some of your Japanese classes at Hiyoshi. Otherwise, you will most likely be having all your classes at Mita campus.
New policies in Financial Aid --> Check your financial aid status
Oh dear. The new federal financial aid office has gotten me into a lot of trouble. I am now without institutional aid and only have limited federal aid left. I am worried that I will not have enough financial aid to last me through my program.
For everyone who is on financial aid, check to make sure that you are not exceeding your cumulative units and that you are meeting your GPA requirements.
I am really stressed that this is happening since the policy changes started only recently (Fall 2011).
I am also concerned that I will not have any financial aid when I return to UCI. I have at least one more quarter left but without financial aid, I can't pay for my tuition and living expenses.
This is terrible. I have emailed my financial aid counselor and hope that he will be able to help me.
I know that the Tokyo Study Center warned about exceeding credits before but I thought that as a transfer student I have 9 terms of financial aid after matriculation. *sigh* I will try to remain optimistic about this situation and hope that everything will be alright.
For everyone who is on financial aid, check to make sure that you are not exceeding your cumulative units and that you are meeting your GPA requirements.
I am really stressed that this is happening since the policy changes started only recently (Fall 2011).
I am also concerned that I will not have any financial aid when I return to UCI. I have at least one more quarter left but without financial aid, I can't pay for my tuition and living expenses.
This is terrible. I have emailed my financial aid counselor and hope that he will be able to help me.
I know that the Tokyo Study Center warned about exceeding credits before but I thought that as a transfer student I have 9 terms of financial aid after matriculation. *sigh* I will try to remain optimistic about this situation and hope that everything will be alright.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
節分 is on February 3
I celebrated 節分 with my friend Fukue and her two kids. We all wore demon (鬼) masks and threw beans outside and inside the house. The beans were crunchy and delicious but we scattered most of them on the floor. As we were throwing them we had to say 鬼は外、福は内/家 (Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi) which means demons outside and happiness inside (the house).
We later ate sushi rolls for dinner. They were homemade and very delicious. We faced the lucky direction of this year which is North West and had to eat the whole roll without speaking. I guess it's considered lucky.
I really enjoyed spending time with Fukue and her kids and for allowing me to take part in 節分 with them this year.
We later ate sushi rolls for dinner. They were homemade and very delicious. We faced the lucky direction of this year which is North West and had to eat the whole roll without speaking. I guess it's considered lucky.
I really enjoyed spending time with Fukue and her kids and for allowing me to take part in 節分 with them this year.
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