Japan

STUDY ABROAD IN THE FAR EAST: JAPAN

Program: Sophia University (Jesuit) / CIEE
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Is This Program Right For You? The CIEE Study Center at Sophia University is designed to provide students with superior cross-cultural and language training by way of intensive Japanese language course work, a range of courses in various disciplines, and a managed homestay program with on-site staff to support the students.

The goals of this program are to help students of all Japanese language abilities further develop their Japanese skills and increase their knowledge about Japan and its people. Students gain considerable knowledge about Japanese culture and language through intensive Japanese course work, one of the largest selections of elective courses in English available in Japan, a core course that combines special guest lectures and a wide range of excursions, and a Japanese family homestay,

Based at Sophia University since 1998, this program provides students with a supportive environment in which to study at one of Japan's top-ranked universities and experience life in Tokyo. While its participants enroll in Sophia University courses alongside Japanese and international students, CIEE resident staff organize a special orientation, homestays with Japanese families, a core course which includes guided field trips and cultural activities designed to introduce different facets of Japanese society, and an optional language pre-session. Students participating in the spring semester may choose to begin Japanese language classes. CIEE arranges 15 hours of language classes per week at a language school.

The Courses/Program: The academic program is based at Sophia University, which is a prestigious private, Jesuit institution offering an extensive curriculum in English and Japanese. There are seven faculties at the university and over 11,000 students. Program participants take courses at the Faculty of Comparative Culture. It includes the Department of Comparative Culture and the Department of Japanese Language and Literature, and offers Japanese language courses at many different levels as well as other courses in a wide range of disciplines all taught in English. Approximately 75% of the students studying in this faculty are Japanese.

Sophia University is well known for its international environment. The Ichigaya campus is unique as it allows international and Japanese students to study together in seminar classes taught in English. The ratio of students to faculty is twelve to one. Except for language courses, most courses meet twice a week for 90-minute sessions. The Sophia faculty is very international and thus, course structure varies. Some courses are more discussion-based while others are primarily lecture style.

Students choose from a wide variety of courses taught in English in the areas of: Japanese studies, Asian studies, international business, economics, history, international relations, political science, art history, literature, religion, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology. All students must also enroll in the required core course, Japan: Facing the New Millennium. All students are required to take a Japanese language class. Most students enroll in the regular Japanese Language program (4 credits), while some advanced level students may opt to enter the Japanese Language Intensive Program (8 credits). Students are also encouraged to enroll in at least one course offering a distinctive Japanese perspective in their area of interest.

Housing: Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. Students who have fewer than two semesters of previous Japanese language study at the time of application are required to live in a Japanese homestay. Students with more Japanese have the option of living in an apartment. Whether living in a traditional Japanese-style house in the suburbs or a modern, high-rise apartment in the center of the city, students gain a new perspective on the daily life of Japanese people. Host families provide breakfast and dinner during the week as well as some meals on the weekend. A stipend is provided for lunches during the week.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (21 weeks): mid September- late January / Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester (21 weeks): late March –late July / Application Deadline: October 1st
• Academic Year (42 weeks): mid September – late July / Application Deadline March 15th
• Calendar Year (42 weeks): late March – late January) / Application Deadline October 1st

Requirements: (Language of instruction is English, Japanese)
• 3.0 GPA

Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing and some meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. Inter-semester housing and meals for students on the academic year program not included. Visa not included. For more information: www.ciee.org. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.

Program: Temple University Tokyo / Temple University
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Is This Program Right For You? The Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), study abroad programs offer U.S. undergraduates the opportunity to study in Tokyo for a semester, summer, or full academic year. TUJ offers distinct advantages for students with a strong interest in Japan specifically, and Asia more broadly. The most significant advantage is the opportunity to study with Japanese students, who comprise about 60 percent of the student body, and with TUJ’s mix of international students from over 40 countries around the world.

TUJ is the Tokyo campus of Temple University. Founded in 1982, TUJ is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan and has developed into a nationally recognized institution offering an extensive range of educational programs. With an enrollment of 2,980 students and a faculty of 180, TUJ offers BA degrees with majors in American studies, art, Asian studies, business management, communications, economics, general studies, international affairs, political science, psychological studies, and tourism and hospitality management. TUJ also offers AA degrees, an MBA, a Master of Science in Education and Doctor of Education in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and a Masters of Law.

Shops and restaurants around the campus cater to the embassy and foreign communities in the area. Restaurant options range from traditional Japanese washoku and kaiseki to international cuisine. TUJ is accessible by Tokyo’s famous public transportation system from every part of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area and is within walking distance of the Hiroo, Mita, and Azabu Juban subway stations and the Tamachi train station on the Yamanote line.

The Courses/Program: Unlike many study abroad programs where American students study mostly with other Americans, at TUJ program participants study in classrooms with a wide mix of multilingual students who are also exploring issues such as Japan’s relations with the West, the role of women in Japanese or Asian society, and the Asian-American experience. The result is a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives on current global issues, international relations, and aspects of traditional and popular culture.

Study abroad participants may choose from a broad range of courses across a variety of disciplines. The academic program is comprised of an extensive curriculum that includes Japanese language instruction for both native and non-native speakers and upper level courses in the areas of American studies, art, Asian studies, business administration, economics, communications, critical languages, political science and psychological studies. In addition, students interested in architecture may wish to enroll in the specialized fall semester architecture program. With the exception of Asian language classes, all courses are conducted in English.

TUJ’s experienced and accomplished faculty works closely with students to help them achieve their academic objectives. Small classes (15 students on average) facilitate lively discussions and allow professors to give special attention to students. Modern facilities, TUJ’s central Tokyo location, and extracurricular activities in Tokyo and around Japan enhance the learning environment and cultural experience.

Another feature of the program is the availability of paid and unpaid internships, usually for students with Japanese language skills ranging in proficiency from conversational to advanced. Interns are placed at embassies and at multinational corporations and organizations in Tokyo.

Housing: Students have the option of finding their own housing or of taking advantage of housing offered by TUJ. TUJ offers housing in a few select buildings, all of which have air conditioning and provide access to a kitchen, laundry facilities, and the internet. Basic furnishings, linens, dishes, and kitchen utensils are provided. Each housing facility is within a short walk of restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and shops, and depending on the location of the housing, the commute to campus ranges from 20 to 50 minutes by public transportation.

A limited number of homestays with Japanese families are available for students interested in complete linguistic and cultural immersion.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (17 weeks): late August – mid December / Application Deadline: May 1st
• Spring Semester (17 weeks): early January – late April / Application Deadline: October 1st

Requirements:
• 3.0 GPA

Program Cost Includes: Tuition and fees, housing and insurance. For more information: www.temple.edu/studyabroad. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Room. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.