UQ0628

Is it better for an international student to choose a university with many foreign students or fewer?

Neither option is automatically better; the right choice depends on your goals, personality, and preferred learning environment. A university with many international students may make it easier to find peers and opportunities for intercultural exchange. A university with fewer may, in some cases, provide more opportunities to interact with Japanese students and use Japanese. Compare the environment and support available with what you value most.

Key points

  • A larger international-student community may make it easier to find peers in a similar situation and join multilingual exchanges.
  • A smaller community may suit students who want to build relationships with Japanese students and use Japanese more often.
  • Look beyond the number of international students: check nationality diversity, the language of classes, advising services, and exchange activities.

Things to check

  • The number of international students and the available support can vary by university, faculty, program, and academic year, so check current official information.