Study Abroad - 留学

Students posing in traditional Japanese attire

Year and Semester Study Abroad Programs

Tokyo University USTEP (University-Wide Exchange Program) and PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba)

  • Where: Based at the University of Tokyo's Komaba Campus near Shibuya, Tokyo; students can take classes throughout the University of Tokyo system
  • Who: About 25 international students
  • Housing: Primarily dormitory housing with other international students.
  • When: fall (September- January/March); spring semester only (April – late July) or full year. Option is also available for students who have not yet begun study of Japanese; consult with the Off-Campus Study office for details.
  • Special Features:​
    • Exchange relationship with Swarthmore College. Three levels of Japanese instruction from 1st year. Courses include PEAK International Program on Japan in East Asia, and International Program on Environmental Studies.
    • International program; location in Tokyo; networking with U. Tokyo-Swarthmore alums.
  • Qualifications: Students should be 3rd or 4th year students recommended by home institution. (No language requirement.)
  • Application deadline: Students interested in applying should speak with the staff at the Off-Campus Study Office (Cunningham House). Internal deadlines for all semesters (fall, spring, and academic year): February 20. 

Associated Kyoto Program (AKP)

  • Where: Doshisha University in Central Kyoto
  • Who: 40-50 American college students, primarily from consortium liberal arts colleges
  • Housing: Homestays with Japanese families
  • When: 
    • Fall semester: September 2023 - December 2023
    • Spring semester: January 2024 - April 2024
  • Special Features: Five levels of Japanese language instruction from 2nd year up. Elective courses taught by professors of consortium schools. Classmates from peer liberal arts institutions. Location in the heart of Kyoto.
  • Qualifications: Applicants should usually be Sophomores (applying for Junior year), have at least a year of Japanese, and have taken at least one other Japan-related course. They should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative average of “B” or above in their Japanese language courses.
  • Application deadline: 
    • Fall and year: February 13, 2023 
    • Spring (early decision): February 13, 2023
    • Spring (regular decision): September 15, 2023

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS)

  • Where: Imadegawa campus of Doshisha University, just north of the Imperial Palace in central Kyoto.
  • Who: 40-50 students, primarily American undergraduates from consortium schools
  • Housing: Most students in the program stay with host families; a few stay in apartments leased by the program.
  • When:
    •  Fall semester: c. August 28 - Dec. 17
    • Spring semester: c. Jan 8 - Apr. 28
  • Special Features: ​
    • Small, intensive language courses. Some courses taught by consortium professors. Classmates from leading U.S. institutions. Location in Kyoto. Community involvement project.
    • Affiliations with Kyoto University and Doshisha University.
  • Qualifications: Open to students of second-year Japanese level and above (2+ for spring semester students). Minimum 3.0 cumulative and language GPA
  • Application deadline: 
  • https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/program/kcjs-semester

IES Nagoya

  • Where: Nanzan University's Center for Japanese Studies, outside Nagoya, Japan's 3rd largest city.

  • Who: Primarily American university and college students, joining international students at Nanzan's CJS

  • Housing: Most students stay in homestays, but some stay in private dorms or the Nanzan University International Residence Hall.

  • When:​
    • Fall semester: c. September 3 to December 22
    • Spring semester: c. Jan 6 - May 19
  • Special Features:
    • Intensive Japanese classes. Five levels of Japanese from beginning level. Additional Japanese courses for advanced students.
    • Japanese arts classes (ink painting, ikebana, calligraphy, dance, etc.)
    • Location in central Japan; program features several field trips.
  • Qualifications: 3.0 GPA or better overall, and 3.0 GPA in Japanese courses. Students should be sophomores or above; and should have completed at least one year of Japanese study. Applicants must complete both IES and Nanzan University application forms.
  • Application deadline: 
    • Fall/Year: around March 1
    • Spring: around August 1
  • https://www.iesabroad.org/programs/nagoya-direct-enrollment-nanzan-university

Summer Programs

Hokkaido International Foundation (HIF)

Location: Hakodate, Hokkaido
Japanese Language Courses: 1.5 year, 2nd year, 2.5 year, 3rd and 4th year Japanese. Three hours daily instruction w/options for cultural activities.
Length: June 13th through August 10th (9 weeks)
Size of Class: 5-10 students per class
Homestay: Mandatory
Tuition+ Homestay fee: $5,700 *includes homestay fee (accommodations and food), and cost for class material. 
Application Deadline: around February 8th

Princeton in Ishikawa (PII)

Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Japanese Language Courses: 2nd year, 2.5 year and 3rd year Japanese. Three hours daily instruction w/ options for cultural activities.
Length: Around June 1st through July 27 (9 weeks)
Size of Enrollment: About 50
Size of Class: 7-10 students per class
Homestay: Mandatory
Tuition+Homestay fee: Around $5,500 *includes homestay fee (accommodations and food), and cost for class material.
Application Deadline: Around January 25th (check website for updates)

Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies (KCJS) Summer Program

We expect the program to transition from an on-line to an in-person program in summer 2023. Please see the website for details:
https://www.kcjs.jp/summer_programs/index.html

Nanzan University Summer Program

Location: Nanzan University, Nagoya
Japanese Language Courses: Course A: Levels I-VI (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5) plus conversation practice at "STELLA" lounge, optional courses in Japanese Studies and Japanese arts.
Internship: Course B includes 4-week internship (open to students at 3rd year level and above)
Length: Course A: 8 weeks (6/5~8/2)
                  Course B: 4 weeks + 4-week internship
                  Course C: 4 weeks (7/5~8/2)
Homestay: Homestay and dormitory options available
Tuition: around $3700 including accommodation fee (might be more if applying through IES)
Applications: can apply directly to Nanzan University or through IES Nagoya
Application Deadline: February 1 (Nanzan), February 9 (IES Nagoya)

Middlebury College

Location: Middlebury VT
Japanese Language Courses: Beginning 1, beginning 2, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, advanced Japanese *Four hours a day in the morning. Options for cultural activities in the afternoon
Length: June 21st  to August 16th (eight weeks)
Size of Enrollment: About 90
Accommodation: Dorm (Japanese only language pledge)
Tuition + Accommodation: $12,640 (scholarships and need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: First come first served basis

Special full scholarship Opportunity: Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace

Student posing outside of Japanese restaurant

Other Programs of Interest

Japan-America Student Conference

30 day student forum in August
Programs held in Japan and U.S. in alternative years

Critical Languages Scholarship Program

Fully funded 8 week intensive summer language institute in different locations in Japan. For students with at least two academic years of prior study. Application deadline around Nov. 15.

Concordia Language Village, Concordia College, Minnesota

Summer counselor jobs in “mori no ike” Japanese language village (grades 3-12)

AMGEN Scholars Program

Summer research programs for undergraduates in STEM fields at the University of Tokyo and University of Kyoto. 

WWOOF Japan

Organic food farming, etc., in Japan. Arts & Humanities division summer funding can be used to pay for this experience.

Scholarship Information

     To consult about Study Abroad and Scholarships, email: Will Gardner, Japanese Section Head. wgardne1@swarthmore.edu

Swarthmore students studying abroad in Japan.

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