How to apply to IBU?

[titus]

Where can I apply for this? Get application? And what are the criteria?

Tnx all.

[Ares2907]

Need to be at least shodan I think (used to be nidan but I believe this requirement is fairly relaxed). I had an application given to me by a friend who knew someone working there. If you don't speak Japanese, find someone that does (chances are this isn't too hard given you practise kendo) and have them contact IBU and ask for an application for the 'bekka-sei' program.
The other criteria are a recent physical exam and x amount of money in the bank (I believe this is to do with getting your student visa).
The application will make it clear what you require.
HTH.

[kendokamax]

i was only ikkyu when i made the application,

but they came to my dojo in hope to recruit some people in Canada, so I think they accept almost anyone willing to go..

[kendokamax]

confirmation,

I think they really accept anyone willing to go. A few people dont even have any experience in kendo or judo ..and they applied to the program

[hamish]

Send a mail to the 'international' office at kokusai@budo-u.ac.jp asking them for a prospectus, and they should send one out to you.

While you're at it give us a plug and tell them you got their address from Kendo World :)

Hamish

[kendokamax]

btw

katsuura is boring as hell (city where budai is)

consider it twice or maybe 5 times if you are not that much into kendo.

but I think the training is pretty good! So far I really enjoy doing kendo here.

[titus]

Originally posted by kendokamax
btw

katsuura is boring as hell (city where budai is)

consider it twice or maybe 5 times if you are not that much into kendo.

but I think the training is pretty good! So far I really enjoy doing kendo here.


Boring in what way? It's in the middle of no where? Hard to communicate with students, language problem?

I'm thinking of applying next year for a 2005 start.

[KhawMengLee]

Yeah, I got a reply from them to e-mail again later this year for a prospectus.

Yo, Max! How's is it man? What's the training schedule like? Do we need to be super fit or will they work on that and build it up?

CHEERS
MENG

[Ares2907]

I did warn you K-max.
Beer. Beer is the key.
(or at the very least some beverage with minimum 4% alcohol by volume, preferably more).

[AlexM]

Great, just great.

So what you're saying is that Max goes to Budai and learns good kendo but becomes an alcoholic in the process?

Marvelous. Is this common with Budai grads to be heavy drinkers?

[Confound]

If my sempais are any indication: yes. One of them can put away 8 big bottles of beer (the glass ones), and what looks like 1/3 of his weight in shochu (he's built like a bear) before there are any noticeable effects.

c

[kendokamax]

middle of nowhere

[Ares2907]

It's a prerequisite for Budaisei to be heavy drinkers if what I saw was any indication.
Kmax - wait until kangeiko starts. The majority of the students will be drunk before the start of each training.
Take the time to enjoy mokusou - listen for the sound of the drunken first years who get dizzy when they close their eyes and suddenly realise they have to vomit.
Ever heard someone trying to sprint as silently as possible whilst heavly inebriated?

If you find the boredom intolerable, ingratiate yourself with a budaisei that owns a car.

[kancho]

This IBU I am assuming you need to know Japanese to get in right.

[Confound]

No. You can learn Japanese while you are there. Many people who go cannot speak Japanese, or so I've heard.

c

[hamish]

It's not a pre-requisite for the Bekka program at all. They have beginner level Japanese classes as part of the course, too.