International Student Program(Exchange)
The Meiji Gakuin University International Student Program (MGU-ISP) provides an opportunity for English-speaking students from our exchange partners to learn about, and personally experience Japan for a period of one or two semesters.
The aim of this program is to provide a creative academic environment for studies pertaining to Japan and the Japanese language for international students wishing to further broaden their views at the heart of Tokyo.
Overview
The International Student Program currently welcomes exchange students from partner universities located in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. As of 2013, MGU receives students from the following institutions:
University of Manchester, UK
Oxford Brookes University, UK
Monash University, Australia
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Hope College, USA
University of Rochester, USA
Washington College, USA
Texas State University - San Marcos, USA
Simon Fraser University, Canada
University of Hamburg, Germany
Maastricht University, Holland
Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Aix-en-Provence, France
University of Rennes 2, France
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Philippines
Thammasat University, Thailand
Soochow University, Taiwan
Capital Normal University, China
Yonsei University, Korea
University of Seoul, Korea
Soongsil University, Korea
The program follows the Japanese academic calendar of two semesters which constitute an academic year: 1) Spring Semester (April to July) and 2) Fall Semester (September to February). Students may enter the program in either semester.
The International Student Program consists of:
1)A mandatory Intensive Japanese Language course divided into 4 levels (4 credits)
2)A selection of elective courses and seminars offered in English by various MGU faculties with a focus on Japanese social and cultural issues (2 credits per class)
Academic Program
The program follows the Japanese academic calendar of two semesters which constitute an academic year:
1) Spring Semester (April to July)
2) Fall Semester (September to January).
Students may enter the program in either semester for one or two semesters. The designated arrival dates (though subject to change depending on the year) are:
1) Spring Semester: April 1 (classes to commence in mid April)
2) Fall Semester: September 1 (classes to commence in late September)
Prior to the start of classes and soon after the students’ arrival, MGU offers a non-credit “Pre-Semester Intensive Japanese Language” course at no extra fee. Students are given a placement test on the first day of the said course, followed by designation of an appropriate language course fitting the students’ linguistic level to prepare for the official Japanese Language course.
The International Student Program consists of:
1) A mandatory Intensive Japanese Language course divided into 5 levels (4 credits)
2) A selection of elective courses and seminars offered in English by various MGU faculties with a focus on Japanese social and cultural issues (2 credits per class)
Course Schedule (Sample) (PDF / 45.5 KB)
Course Description (Sample) (PDF / 3.14 MB)
Though registration to the Intensive Japanese Language course is limited to exchange students and fee-based international students only, the elective courses offered in English are also open to full time MGU students, allowing for a truly international and integrated academic atmosphere rarely seen in Japanese Universities.
Participants to this program who are also holders of Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) are allowed to take all courses offered at MGU upon prior permission from the instructor. Students should be aware that some courses require prerequisites apart from the abovementioned language requirement.
Submittal of the relevant documents, upon arrival to Japan, proving that the student holds the required prerequisites remains to be the incoming students’ responsibility.
ISP students are based at our Shirokane campus located in the central area of Tokyo, and are thus required to take the Intensive Japanese Language course at the said campus. However, they may also register for the University of California-Global Studies courses offered at our Yokohama campus should their daily class schedule allow for the commute between the Shirokane and Yokohama campuses. Program participants should note that the trip between the two campuses roughly takes 1 hour.
Confirmed course schedules are sent out to applicants once ready.
Students participating in the International Student Program are allowed to register for a maximum of 24 credits per semester, including the mandatory Intensive Japanese Language course.
Dormitory
MGU maintains an off campus co-ed dormitory located in Okusawa for its ISP participants. Located in a quiet residential district in central Tokyo, with easy access to both the Shirokane (approximately 30 minutes door to door) and Yokohama (approximately 60 minutes door to door) campuses, the dormitory offers an environment fit for academic pursuit. All students are required to stay in the Okusawa dormitory for admittance to the International Student Program.
The dorm offers single rooms with shared kitchen, shower, bathroom, laundry facilities and lounge area. Rooms come equipped with a desk, chair, closet, bed, linen and internet access.
Program Fees / Costs
Tuition:Exempt
Accommodation:
Single Room (Spring Semester) 200,000yen (for those staying for one semester: April-August)
Single Room (Spring Semester) 250,000yen (for those staying for two semesters: April-September)
Single Room (Fall Semester) 250,000yen (for those staying for one semester only: September-January)
Single Room (Fall Semester) 350,000yen (for those staying for two semesters: September-March)
Deposit 25,000yen (a one off payment valid for the duration of the student’s stay – to be returned upon checkout in cash minus any fees needed for repair/cleaning above those considered normal “wear and tear”)
The rent is inclusive of all utility costs (electricity, gas, water, internet), but does not include a meal plan. Students are requested to make use of the shared kitchen to cook their own meals at the dorm.
Rent payment is due at the beginning of each semester. Further details are provided to accepted applicants prior to their arrival. Please note that MGU is not able to accept payment of rent on a monthly basis unless otherwise noted in the partnership agreement.
Insurance
Participants to the International Student Program must join the Japanese National Health Insurance Scheme, which automatically covers 70% of most medical/dental expenses incurred in Japan. The premium depends on an individual's income and place of residence, but the figure for students living in Tokyo is normally set around 14,400 yen per year. Arrangements for National Health Insurance, along with the mandatory “Resident Registration”, will be made shortly after arrival as part of overall orientations.
Estimated Personal Expenses
Participants to the International Student Program are strongly urged to bring adequate funds to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Japan. Though personal expenses naturally vary depending on one’s lifestyle, the following is a rough breakdown of minimum expenses. The expenses quoted below assume a relatively frugal lifestyle.
Food 30,000yen per month
Allowance 20,000yen per month
Local Transportation 6,000yen per month
*Participants to the program should note that MGU will provide a “transportation subsidy” of 40,000yen per semester to cover the transportation costs between MG Okusawa House and the Shirokane Campus.
Application
Interested students from our partner Universities should contact their International/Study Abroad Office for further details regarding the application procedure. The application deadlines are usually set in mid October for Spring admission and mid March for Fall admission.
Applicants with no knowledge of the Japanese language must master “hiragana” and “katakana” prior to their arrival, as a condition of their acceptance.
The selection results will be announced by January for admission in the Spring semester and June for admission in the Fall semester. Further information regarding pre-departure and post-arrival arrangements will be sent out as the acceptance procedure proceeds.
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