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Japan Exchanges

 

If you’re a Japanese Studies major or minor, or just interested in Japanese language and culture, a semester or more in Japan will help you deepen your knowledge and appreciation for all things Japanese. Any major can study in Japan!!
 

 
japan destinations


UAF offers both exchange and study abroad options for Japan.

Because of the high demand for exchange placements, we have a priority deadline application process for these placement requests. The deadline is November 1 for the following academic year placements. Some universities may be available after the priority deadline, but options will be limited. Even if you are not a Japanese Studies major, we recommend you complete your application for exchange placement before the priority deadline to ensure you get equal consideration for placement (as many campuses are no longer available after the priority deadline).

Study Abroad options are those programs offered through a program provider. Deadlines are later for these programs.  Study abroad applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it is recommended to complete the provider application at the same time as the UAF application, as admission is first come first serve.
 

Exchange Options:

Hokkaido University
   Sapporo
     Short-Term Exchange Program (HUSTEP) *This program is not recommended for Japanese Studies majors
     Japanese Language and Culture Studies (JLCS)

Hokkaido University of Education (HUE)
   5 possible campuses in Hokkaido:

Sapporo
Hakodate
Iwamizawa (ONLY FOR MUSIC MAJORS)
Asahikawa (near-native Japanese fluency required)
Kushiro (near-native Japanese fluency required)

Nagoya Gakuin University (NGU)
   Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Osaka Gakuin University (OGU)
   Osaka

Tohoku University
   Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
     Direct Enrollment Exchange Program (DEEP)
     International Program in Liberal Arts (IPLA)
     Junior Year Program in English (JYPE) *This program is not recommended for Japanese Studies majors

Waseda University
   Tokyo

 

  

Minimum requirements

All students going on exchange or study abroad from UAF must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Be a degree-seeking student at UAF (working towards a Certificate, Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD; you do not need to have a declared major)
  • Completion of at least 2 full-time semesters or 29 credits before your first semester abroad. Full-time is 12 credits.
  • Full-time (registered in at least 12 credits) the semester before exchange (spring for Fall departure; fall for Spring departure)
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Have a minimum 2.5 semester GPA the semester before your study away program
  • Good academic, behavioral, and financial standing at UAF
  • No Incomplete (I) grades on transcript


In addition, to fulfill the Japanese Studies international degree-requirement, Japanese Studies majors must also have:

  • Completed at least JPN 202 or its equivalent prior to departure, and
  • A minimum of a B-average (3.0) in Japanese language courses, and
  • The recommendation of Japanese language faculty.
 
Information at a glance:
Please note that all Japan campuses, with the exception of Osaka Gakuin University, follow an off-set semester calendar. In Japan, the Fall term goes from late-September to February and Spring runs from April to August.
Program Min level of JPN  completed prior to departure Other requirements Fulfills Japanese Studies international requirement English Courses Available Housing UAF application deadline for the following fall semester Tuition Paid to
Dormitory Apartment Home stay
Hokkaido HUSTEP
(English program)		   3.0 GPA; Junior or Senior when abroad maybe x x     November 1 UAF
Hokkaido JLCSP
(Japanese program)		 JPN 302 suggested;
JPN 202 at minimum		 18-30 years old; N3 equivalent; Japanese Studies major only x   x     November 1 UAF
HUE JPN 202 recommended at least 1 year of Japanese taken; 18-30 years old x   x     November 1 UAF
NGU JPN 202 recommended know 100 kanji; can read and write in Japanese x   x     November 1 UAF
OGU     x x   x x November 1 UAF
Tohoku DEEP
(Japanese program - more focused on research)		 JPN 302 N3 equivalent x   x     November 1 UAF
Tohoku IPLA
(Japanese program)		 JPN 302 recommended; JPN 202 at minimum Japanese Studies major only; cannot attend your last semester x   x     November 1 UAF
Tohoku JYPE
(English Program)		   Junior or Senior when abroad   x x     November 1 UAF
Waseda JPN 202 recommended for Japanese program 3.0 for programs in English x X X     November 1 UAF
Any campuses that still have open exchange placement after the November 1 priority deadline have deadline of March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. If you are interested in attending as a fee-paying student at a campus that is no longer open, contact the Study Away office.

About the Priority Selection Process (November 1st deadline)
Since a semester abroad in Japan is required for Japanese Studies majors, our process for those wanting to study in Japan is different than with our other programs, because there are often several applicants. Each of our partners above has given us a certain number of exchange placements every year, so we cannot accommodate all requests. All applications submitted by the November 1st deadline (including non-Japanese majors) will be considered for placement by a committee. Applicants will be able to provide details on campuses of where they would prefer to be placed through the essays they write as part of the study away application and an interview process. The committee will take student preferences into consideration, but applicants need to be aware that they might not be placed at their preferred campus.  This may be because of limited placements and high demand, or the committee believes another campus would be of higher benefit to the student.

The committee evaluates each candidates' academic history, the responses to their essay questions in the application, student abilities in Japanese and goals for future use, perceived student success at certain campuses, and other factors in order to determine the placement of each student.

The process is as follows:
  1. Student applies for 'Japan Program Application' before November 1
  2. Committee may require interview if there are more applicants than expected. If required, student will be interviewed by committee before winter break
  3. Committee will meet to decide placements
  4. The Study Away office will confirm Fall grades and Spring enrollment for eligibility
  5. Notifications of placements will be made to students by early January
  6. Students will be provided information on host application and deadline (host deadline dates range from late February to early May)
  7. Screening takes place at host campus
  8. Host campus notifies student of screening (acceptance or non-acceptance)
  9. Host campus will send follow-up documents for student to complete for housing/courses/etc (depending on campus)
  10. The Study Away office receives Certificate of Eligibility in late July or August, forwards to student
  11. Student applies for visa to Japan at Anchorage Consulate (or elsewhere, if non-resident of Alaska). Student CANNOT apply for visa until they receive this Certificate of Eligibility
  12. Study in Japan!

There are several steps involved (not all are listed above) and students must be detail-oriented and diligent with deadlines in order to be successful applicants. Acceptance by UAF does not guarantee placement at host campus.


After the priority round is complete, universities in Japan with available placements will become available for applicants to start an application in the program search area.



Financial information

Although cost of living will depend on many factors including size and accessibility of your city of residence and your personal tastes and habits, you should expect to spend an average of at least ¥80,000 per month.   Typical monthly fees include:

  • Rent (¥10,000 - ¥60,000)
  • Utilities (¥5,000 - ¥10,000)
  • Food (¥20,000 - ¥30,000)
  • Health Insurance (¥2,000)
  • Internet (¥4,000 - ¥10,000)
  • Commuting Fees (¥5,000 - ¥10,000)
  • Miscellaneous (¥10,000 - ¥20,000)


Other fees include:

  • Tuition to UAF: 7-lower division credits, 8-upper division credits at the resident, non-resident, or WUE rate
  • UAF fees:
    • one-time $50 application fee;
    • Each semester: network fee, $500 study away fee
  • Books
  • Class fees
  • Health Insurance (both in Japan and the required plan for UAF exchange requirements)
  • Travel/Shipping costs to Anchorage for Visa
  • Travel to/from Japan
  • Travel within Japan

When you apply to the host university (after approval of your UAF application), you will be asked to provide evidence of adequate financial support of at least ¥80,000 per month for the entire time you will be abroad.   While working is possible under a student visa, restrictions apply, and these future earnings may not be used as part of your evidence of adequate financial support.

Click here to apply today!

Please contact your Japanese Studies advisor, a Japanese language faculty member, or the Study Away Advisor for questions.