There are numerous differences between Japanese and American colleges. These differences are in part due to the differences in pre-collegiate education.
For example, to get into a college, a high school student must pass and extremely rigorous entrance exam. However, the pressure to achieve academically drops shortly afterwards. College is considered life's は 人生の 春休み, or 'spring break'. They already did all the hard work, afterall.
In America, though, getting into a college isn't quite as difficult, but our schooling during college is very tough. If you aren't paying attention in class, your grades will suffer. Skipping class isn't acceptable usually, even in big schools where the teacher could never hope to memorize all the students names.
Students also don't ask a lot of questions during class in Japan. Class discussion and critical thinking exercises are pretty uncommon. In America, it's the total opposite! People are always raising their hands and engaging the teacher in discussion, so that they better understand the material being taught. Japanese pre-collegiate education focuses on memorization, not understanding, so class discussion is a strange concept for them. Good thing classes are easier in Japanese colleges!
Also, most students in Japanese colleges do not live in a dorm type setting. If they are in college, it means that they probably have their own place, such as a small apartment. I much prefer living on campus, so I wouldn't say I envy their situation, haha. However, Kansai Gaidai does have dorms for its foreign students, so I am glad for that.
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