Hi guys.
I'm currently in the Japanese Studies program at Kyoto Uni and I'm really struggling.
It's hard to admit, but the the classes are just way above my level. I can barely get through the Japanese classes and the culture classes (History etc) are absolutely impossible. I've been through a week or so of classes and I really don't know what to do.
I've been studying from 6 in the morning until late at night every day to keep up with the other guys, but yet I'm having major problems. My class consists of Chinese / Korean people who have been studying Japanese for 8-9 years + me.
The stress and long-hour study sessions are too much for my body too handle, so I've also been struggling with a lot of stomach issues lately.

I have some questions for people that have been studying under / are studying under MEXT:
- Is it possible to change from one university to another? (I'm pretty sure it's not, but..)
- Will they demand a return of the scholarship money if I don't pass the course?
- Do you guys have any tips for me and my situation?

This is definitely not what I expected. All I'm doing, outside of classes, is studying. I'm hearing all the laughter around me from the people enjoying their campus life, but I'm just sitting studying all by myself. I absolutely hate this...

I have been in a similar situation many years ago. After the first couple of weeks of understanding nothing at all at my host university (my language level turned out to be far lower than I had thought it to be) I was quite certain I would end up not managing to pass a single exam. So I stopped trying to learn at the other students pace, but yet I decided I would at least try and studied at my very low pace while trying to learn as much of the language as I could. I did work hard, but somehow without any stress because I was convinced I would not pass the exams anyway. After the first three or four months to my big surprise I could pretty much follow the lectures like everybody else. I ended up passing all the exams with good marks and in the process learning the local language at an academic level in a very thorough way.

As for the scholarship money, I can't speak for MEXT, but it is really unheard of that you should return it for failing a course although you tried.

TL;DR: In a similar situation I took it easy and everything ended up well.

Wasn't there a placement test to determine your level? If so, surely there's an advisor you can talk with about moving down to a lower level?

There are heaps of people on that program here at Osaka Uni. I sat in on one of their history classes the other day, which I was considering taking because it's my major, but it was so simple that I decided against it. The teacher taught slowly, wrote furigana for practically every word, and none of the other students really participated.

Hey Zorlee... what are you finding difficult, is it the language or the concepts or some combination of both?

For the language difficulties, it's probably worth asking for a lecture schedule ahead of time. Then hit the library and look up those topics, and learn every piece of useful, subject specific vocabulary you come across. It'll be hard work to begin with, but it'll get easier, and hopefully once the new vocabulary settles in you should be able to start following lectures more easily.

For any conceptually difficult stuff, try to get get books in English or Norwegian and skim read them first, it'll save a lot of time in the long run...

Anyway, i guess just accept that you're going to be behind for a few months at least. Don't try to force it, and definitely don't make yourself ill, just keep going steadily, and try to get ahead of your lectures rather than playing catch up every week. It'll get easier!!!

And set aside about 4 hours every day where you can go and take a break and just enjoy Japan. You can still work hard the rest of the day, but it'll make a huge difference. Enjoy your time while you're there!!!

The problem about Kyoto Uni is that there are only two levels: 高級 and 超級. I'm in 高級, but it's basically the same as 超級 (The same teachers, curriculum etc), since all the Chinese students are at the same level.
I'll talk to an advisor tomorrow, hopefully we can work something out.

Thank you so much for your tips IceCream, I really appreciate it. I'll try to stay ahead, but it's tough, since we don't use textbooks, only print-outs given to us during class.
I really wish I chose a different university >_<

EDIT:
cingo: Thank you so much for sharing your story. It gave me hope! Thank you

My opinion is to take IceCream's advice, particularly on asking for a lecture schedule. This quarter at my university (in America) I met a Japanese student studying abroad through a student exchange program at the school. She told me she can only really grasp what the teacher is saying when the teacher uses PowerPoints or some form of displayed outline of what is being discussed.

Make good friends with your teachers, explain your difficulty, and I'm sure they'll help you. They're probably some really nice people that you haven't been reaching out to and since so many other foreign students are present they should understand your situation.

Hey Zorlee,

how's it going? Did you settle in a bit better yet? How did talking to your advisor go?