Students Finishing Studies
- (1)Career Path List by Student Status
- (2)Finding Employment in Japan
- (3)Continuing Studies
- (4) Returning Home
1. Career Path List by Student Status
Your stay at Okayama University is nearing an end; we hope you could enjoy a fruitful life at Okayama University as an international student, Did you set any new goals during your stay in Japan? Now it is time to decide your path after your time here —whether you will find employment or continue with your studies, and whether you will remain in Japan or return home.
If you are leaving Okayama University to find employment or return home, you should thank and bid farewell to all the people who have helped you, return anything you have borrowed, and settle any debts for the services you have used. Be sure to mark the close of your time as an international student in a good frame of mind, and make a fresh start in the next stage of your life.
Undergraduate students, Master’s students, Doctoral students, Research students
| All International Students | Return your student ID | |
|---|---|---|
| Receive your academic transcript | ||
| Return borrowed items such as books from the library | ||
| Scholarship recipients should submit reports, academic transcripts, etc. | ||
| If you live in a student dormitory, complete the necessary procedures for leaving the dormitory. | ||
| Those finding employment | Finding employment in Japan | Finding employment in a country other than Japan |
| Obtain job-hunting information | Obtain employment information (e.g., via the Internet) | |
| Participate in career fairs | ||
| Complete procedures to change your residence status | ||
| Submit your post-graduation contact information to Okayama University | ||
| Those continuing studies | Continuing studies at Okayama University | Continuing studies at a university other than Okayama University |
| Consult with your academic advisor | Consult with your academic advisor | |
| Obtain Master’s program application guidelines | Obtain information | |
| Confirm application guidelines | Confirm application guidelines | |
| Complete procedures with the Immigration Bureau to change schools | ||
| Submit your contact information after changing schools to Okayama University | ||
| Those returning home | Submit your post-departure contact information | |
| Complete procedures to close your bank account | ||
| Complete procedures to cancel utility service contracts | ||
| Complete procedures to leave your lodgings | ||
| Pay any bills issued after you leave | ||
| Complete procedures to withdraw from National Health Insurance | ||
| Return rented items | ||
| Bid farewell to those who have helped you | ||
Exchange students
| All International Students | Return your ID |
|---|---|
| Return borrowed items such as books from the library | |
| Scholarship recipients should submit reports, academic transcripts, etc. | |
| If you live in a student dormitory, complete the procedures for leaving the dormitory. | |
| Those finding employment | N/A (return to the university in your home country) |
| Those continuing studies | N/A (return to the university in your home country) |
| Those returning home | Submit your post-departure contact information |
| Receive your academic transcript when returning to your home country | |
| Return rented items | |
| Complete procedures to close your bank account | |
| Complete procedures to cancel utility service contracts | |
| Complete procedures to leave your lodgings | |
| Complete procedures to withdraw from National Health Insurance | |
| Pay any bills issued after you leave | |
| Bid farewell to those who have helped you |
To Do List for All International Students When You Leave Okayama University
Returning your student ID and other ID
Return your student ID and any other ID before leaving Okayama University.
If you are a regular student, return your ID to the Academic Affairs Dept. If you are a non-degree student, return your ID to your own faculty.
Receiving your academic transcript
If you are a regular student, ask the Academic Affairs Dept. for your academic transcripts. If you are an exchange student, ask your own faculty for the academic transcripts.
Japanese studies students can receive their academic transcripts at the Center for Global Partnerships and Education.
Scholarship recipients
Scholarship recipients are required to submit a report and other documents such as academic transcripts to the sponsor organization when the scholarship period ends. Some sponsor organizations may ask you to attend a debriefing session. Please confirm this and other matters with the sponsor organization.
Returning rented items
Check and return all items you have borrowed from the university, in addition to library books.
2. Finding Employment in Japan
Obtaining job-hunting information
The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) publishes a guidebook containing essential information for international students who are job-hunting in Japan. The guidebook is an essential read, as it explains in an easy-to-understand way about preparations, applications, screening exams, and changing your residence status according to the stage of job-hunting activities.
Online editions are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
Participating in career fairs
Information on employment guidance is posted regularly on bulletin boards inside and outside the Career Support Center the Center for Global Partnerships and Education and all faculties. You can easily check this information as required. Also, you can visit the Career Support Center website for further information.
Procedures to change your residence status
To work full-time in Japan, you must change your current “Student” residence status to one that permits work, such as “Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Engineer.” You can apply for a permit to change your residence status at the Immigration Bureau. The necessary documents issued by the university range from those that can be obtained on the same day at an automatic issuing machine to those that require several days after you apply. Make sure you allow sufficient time when making preparations to change your residence status, as screenings for this usually take between one to three months. Please refer to the link below for further details.
Even if you cannot find work before graduation, you can remain in Japan and continue job-hunting for one year by applying to change your residence status to “Designated Activities (to continue job searching after graduation).”See the next column for further details.
Procedures to change your residence status to look for employment after graduation
When international students who are enrolled in Okayama University as regular students want to continue looking for employment in Japan after graduation, the status of residence must be changed from “College Student” to “Designated Activities”. If the application is accepted, the applicant is allowed to stay in Japan after graduation for 6 months. The period of stay may be renewed only one time for a maximum total extension period of one year. In addition, if the application for a change in status of residence from “College Student” to “Designated Activities” is accepted, the applicant may also apply for permission to work part-time by individual application. Successful applicants may work a maximum of 28 hours or less per week.
International students MUST understand that they cannot continue seeking employment in Japan with a “College Student” visa after they have graduated, as by definition, they are no longer “College Students”. In addition, when applying for a change in status of residence, international students require a recommendation from Okayama University.
The following documents are required to apply for a change of status of residence:
- Application form for Change of Status of Residence
- Photo (4cm×3cm)
- Passport
- Resident Card
- Documents certifying that the applicant can cover expenses incurred during the extended stay in Japan
- Certificate of Graduation
- Recommendation from the university
- Documents certifying that the applicant will continue job-hunting
- Certificate for payment of fee: 4,000yen (revenue stamp available at SEIKYO Co-op or post office)
* The Center for Global Partnerships and Education issues the recommendation from the university, which requires another set of procedures and documents to obtain. The application MUST be submitted to the Center for Global Partnerships and Education before graduation. Former students who have already graduated from the university cannot apply for a recommendation.
You can get an application form for obtaining a recommendation from the university at the Center for Global Partnerships and Education.
・The signature and seal of the applicant’s supervisor are required on the application.
・Documents certifying that the applicant can cover all the expenses incurred during their extended stay in Japan, such as a bankbook copy or a certificate of the deposit balance of the applicant’s bank account.
・Certificate of expected graduation
・Documents certifying that the applicant is continuing their employment search
*Attention
・Documents certifying that an applicant is looking for employment are things like the visit records for at least 6 months to the Career Development Center, Hello Work (public employment security office), companies, or attendance records to briefings for job applicants.
・Applications may be rejected if the applicants are looking for employment outside of the major field in their course of study. Therefore, looking for employment outside of an applicant’s field of study is NOT considered looking for employment.
・Successful applicants for a change of status of residence must submit monthly reports on their employment search to the Center for Global Partnerships and Education. Individuals who fail to submit monthly employment search reports will not receive a recommendation from the university for the second extension to their visa.
Applicants who have changes in their contact information, who will leave Japan, or who have found employment, need to inform the Center for Global Partnerships and Education immediately of these matters.
Finding employment in a country other than Japan
When finding work in a country other than Japan, the means for finding work varies by country. We recommend using the Internet and other sources to collect information on finding work in that country.
Submitting your contact information after finding work
As soon as you find work, please contact the International Affairs Office Center for Global Partnerships and Education by e-mail with the name of your employer. If your job involves moving house, be sure to also provide your new address, phone number, and e-mail address.
3. Continuing Studies
Continuing Studies at Okayama University
If you are an undergraduate student or research student wishing to enroll in a Master’s course, or Master’s student wishing to enroll in a Doctor’s course, you need to confirm the application guidelines and submit an application within the specified period. By also submitting a simultaneous application for new and continued enrollment as a “research student,” you can remain at Okayama University even if your main application is rejected.
You may remain enrolled as a research student for a maximum total of two years.
To apply for continued enrollment, please consult with your academic advisor and submit an application. You will not be able to continue your research without an application.
If you are accepted in a Doctor’s course after applying for enrollment as a research student, please submit a Letter Declining Offer of Admission.
Office in Charge
Continuing Studies at a university other than Okayama University
First, you should investigate whether there are courses and academic advisors that suit the content of your research at the other university. When doing so, please consult with your academic advisor at length. Once you have found the desired university, obtain the university’s application guidelines and check whether your preferred academic advisor is available before submitting an application.
Procedures to extend your residence status and change your school
If you are accepted by a university other than Okayama University, please follow these procedures to change your school at the Immigration Bureau.
4. Returning Home
What to Do Before Returning Home
Submit your post-departure contact information
As soon as you have decided to return to your home country or move to another country, contact the International Affairs Office the Center for Global Partnerships and Education by e-mail with your new address, phone number, e-mail address, and the name of your new institution (e.g., university or company).
Procedures to apply for a return ticket
Japanese government-scholarship students (regular students, research students, and Japanese studies students) can receive a plane ticket for returning home from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Please note that the offer is limited to students returning home by the end of the final month of their scholarship period. The International Affairs Office Center for Global Partnerships and Education will confirm by e-mail whether or not you wish to apply for this return ticket. After confirmation, please follow the necessary procedures as instructed.
Returning your student ID and other ID
Return your student ID and any other ID before leaving Japan.
If you are a regular student, you must return your ID to the Academic Affair’s Dept. If you are a non-degree student, please return your ID to your own faculty. The plastic (IC) cards are recycled. We ask all students for their cooperation in regard to this, as the cards are used for the next international students.
Returning rented items
Check and return all items you have borrowed during your stay in Japan, including money, articles and supplies, and library books.
Procedures to cancel utility, Internet, mobile phone, and other service contracts and settle fees
Contact the sales branch or contracting company for gas, electricity, water, telephone, Internet, and other contracted services.
Quite a few students forget to pay their final utility and other service fees, which are billed the following month after use. Please make sure that you settle all fees and leave none unpaid.
Close and cancel all bank accounts and credit card contracts drawn up in Japan. However, if utility and other service fees are automatically withdrawn from your bank account, be sure to settle all outstanding payments before closing your bank account. If you must close your bank account before returning home, and expect any bills to arrive later, leave some money with a friend or acquaintance that you trust and ask them to pay your bills.
Procedures to leave your lodgings
Procedures to leave your student house
You need to give at least one month’s notice to your student house office. Many students leave in March and September, so if you are leaving around this time, please give your notice as soon as possible. Be sure to settle all room fees, and make sure there are no unpaid fees when you leave.
Private apartments, etc.
(1) Contacting your apartment manager or real estate agent
Inform the apartment manager or real estate agent of the date you plan to leave your apartment. You need to give at least one month’s notice, and follow the necessary procedures. A late notice may result in your being billed for the next month’s rent.
(2) Contacting your cosigner
Also, be sure to contact your cosigner. If you are enrolled in Comprehensive Renters Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan, you are required to follow the procedures to cancel your subscription. Contact the Center for Global Partnerships and Education and submit the necessary documents.
(3) Cleaning your room
Before leaving, clean your apartment thoroughly and be sure not to leave any personal belongings behind. To dispose of bulky waste like furniture, electrical appliances, and beddings, follow the rules of your municipality.
The deposit money you paid when moving in will be used to clean and restore the apartment to its original state. You may be required to pay an additional amount if this deposit money does not cover the cost of cleaning.
Procedures to withdraw from National Health Insurance
- When you have decided on a departure date, bring your National Health Insurance card to your local government office and settle any overpaid or underpaid premiums. (National Health Insurance premiums are calculated by monthly payments.) Note that you can arrange to be covered until the day of your departure. (You can change the expiry date on your card to the date of your departure. For details, ask your local government office.)
Bid farewell to those who have helped you
- Thank and bid farewell to everyone who has helped you during your stay in Japan.The best way is to visit each directly if you have time. However, if your schedules don’t match, it is a good idea to send a letter or postcard after you leave Japan and let them know you appreciated their help.