Linguistics(Japanese) to International Relations

Graduate School
1

<p>Going to keep this short and simple.</p>

<p>Studied Computer Engineering for 2 years with a 9month internship then dropped out.
Went to Japan and enrolled in a Japanese University prep course (1 year)
Currently in my 3rd year of a BA in Japanese Language and Culture course.
My minor is Linguistics and my current research topic relates to Sociolinguistics, primarily “Politeness”</p>

<p>I really enjoy Linguistics as a science, I guess that is due to my background in Engineering however, in the future I would like to work in with International Policy/Business.</p>

<p>I know that my experience and studies are related in a way but I am still quite inexperienced in International Relations, Economics and fields relating to that.</p>

<p>My main question is… Is it possible to change and take a MA in something that is not directly related to Linguistics?
Something like:
Linguistics(JAPANESE)->Asian Studies
Linguistics(JAPANESE)->Asia Pacific Policy
On paper it looks like it can work but when I look at the course descriptions, my linguistics heavy courses do not line up that well.</p>

<p>Also another main thing that I have been worried about is that I am currently in Japan studying 100% in Japanese. I have an extensive knowledge of linguistics in “Japanese” but when asked to explain a concept it is difficult for me to explain in English.</p>

<p>This presents me with another problem,
Do I continue to study in Japan?
Or should I study in English?(Will have to re-learn, well translate a lot of what I have studied)</p>

<p>And then finally the last problem being money.</p>

<p>I pay for all of my tuition working almost 40 hours a week while taking a full course load. (here in Japan)
If I were to return to Canada I would be able to receive student loans and financially would be able to support myself better allowing for more study time. On the other hand if I continue to study here in Japan I will have to probably have to attend a public university.</p>

<p>No clue if anyone can give me any advice on this but any advice will be helpful!</p>

2

<p>As far as I can tell, if you can “sell” the relevance of your linguistics courses and emphasize your pretty significant overseas experience, you have a pretty good shot - especially for Asian Studies/Asia-Pacific policy programs.</p>

<p>Just a thought, but if you’re thinking about going to higher education in Japan, have you looked at the Monbukagakusho scholarship?</p>