Study Abroad in Japan and How to Pay for It

Table of Contents

  1. What study abroad programs does WMU have to Japan?
  2. What is the process of applying to study abroad?
  3. What scholarships are available to support study abroad in Japan?
  4. Who are the contact people for these study abroad programs?
  5. What should I do if I have general study abroad questions ?

What study abroad programs does WMU have to Japan?

WMU has several study abroad programs to Japan for different lengths of time: nine months, a semester, or even just two weeks.  Each program has slightly different deadlines, paperwork, requirements in terms of GPA, and costs.  Also, each university or program has a somewhat different atmosphere.  The following links will take you to the Study Abroad webpage.  See the quick comparison chart below.  Click on the links of the names of the programs and use the pull-down menu to get information about each individual program.  


Quick Comparison Sheet for WMU Programs in Japan

 

Japan Religion & Culture Seminar

 

Nihon University

 

Keiō University

 

Rikkyō University

 

Daitō Bunka University

 

Ritsumeikan University

Otaru University of Commerce

Where

Tokyo & Nikkō

Tokyo

Tokyo

Tokyo

Higashi Matsuyama (Saitama, north of Tokyo)

Kyoto

Otaru (Hokkaidō, northernmost main island)

Prerequisite

None

JPNS 1010

JPNS 2010

JPNS 1010

JPNS 2010

JPNS 2010

JPNS 2010

When

Summer 1
(2-week tour)

Spring or summer (one semester only)

Academic year (Fall & spring)

Academic year (Fall & spring)

Academic year (Fall & spring)

Academic year (Fall & spring)

Academic year (Fall & spring)

Main areas of study

Japanese religion (taught in English)

Intensive Japanese language program

Japanese language, Some Japanese studies courses in English

Japanese language, four Japanese studies courses in English per semester

Japanese language, any course (provided student has lang ability)

Japanese language, numerous Japanese studies courses available in English

Japanese language, Courses on business, management & economics in English

Where most classes take place

On the road, temples, shrines, and religious sites

In building for foreign students (separate from main campus)

In building for foreign students on main campus in Minato Ward

In classrooms for foreign students on main campus near Ikebukuro

In classrooms on main campus in Higashi Matsuyama in Saitama

In classrooms on main Kinugasa campus in northwestern Kyoto

In classrooms on main campus in Otaru, Hokkaidō

Lodging

Arranged

Special housing for int’l students

Off-campus apartment bldg

Off-campus dormitories

Special housing for int’l students

Special housing for int’l students

Special housing for int’l students

Other benefits

Special chances to see rare treasures

Lots of language instruction in a short time

Famous university, one scholarship each year

Famous university, exciting Tokyo location

Great immersion experience since few foreign students there

Famous university, superb location in beautiful ancient capital of Japan

Stunningly beautiful location, skiing just outside

Main contact

s.covell@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu

All of the semester-long and year-long study abroad programs listed above have a central core of language classes.  Students will take a placement test on arriving in Japan to determine which level of language class they will enter.  In almost all cases, Japanese-language classes form the largest part of the student's curriculum in Japan.

Certain universities have other classes in English about Japanese studies or other subjects.  For instance, Ritsumeikan University has the widest array of classes in English about the arts, politics, and other subjects.  Rikkyo University has four classes per semester in English about Japan, usually in history, culture, literature, and economics.  Otaru University of Commerce has a wide array of classes in English about economics, business, management, and so on.  The exact classes that are available differ from semester to semester and, therefore, are sometimes difficult to determine in advance. 

In addition, we work with two other programs.  The following programs are handled slightly separately than the other programs.  To apply to them, you apply directly to the sponsoring organization then fill out the paperwork in the study abroad office for a "Non-WMU Program."  Ask Dr. Angles for details.  

  • Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) (Hikone, Shiga Prefecture): One semester or full academic year (Relatively inexpensive program, good support system)
  • Japan America Student Conference (JASC) (Month-long study tour in Japan): Takes a group of American students to Japan each year, allows students to see a lot of Japan while learning about Japanese culture & society, involves a lot of contact with Japanese students.    
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What is the process of applying for study abroad?

If you are interested in applying for a WMU study abroad program to Japan, here is what you need to do.

·         Think about how long you want to study abroad in Japan (one semester or one academic year).  Be advised that most scholarships for studying abroad in Japan only support year-long study.  The reason is that most organizations feel like they get more bang for their buck with with a student who will be there for a year. 

·         Read through the information above about the various programs.  Use the links in the above section or go to the study abroad office on the second floor of Ellsworth Hall to read about the various programs. 

·         Contact Jeffrey Angles (518 Sprau Tower, TEL 269-387-3044) to tell him about your interest.  He can answer your general questions about individual programs, universities, procedures, and deadlines. 

·         After talking to Jeffrey Angles, make an appointment with Gaby Peschiera-Carl (2nd floor, Ellsworth Hall, TEL 269-387-5890) in the Study Abroad office to let her know that you are planning to study abroad.  She will instruct you how to fill in the online application form.  As part of the application, you will need to write a brief essay and provide information about yourself and why you want to go to Japan.   

·         You will also need to provide the e-mail address of two people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you.  At least one of them should be a Japanese teacher. (It is a good idea to let your teachers know you want a letter before you submit their names as references.)  

·         As part of your application, you will need to meet once more with Jeffrey Angles in order to talk more specifically about the courses that you might be taking in Japan.  At that time, he will help you fill out online the “course pre-approval form."  When you come to see Dr. Angles, please bring your online application ID and link to the "blue sheet" form.   

·         Submit your application to the study abroad office by the deadline listed on the individual webpages for the different schools in the above section. 

    • For a year-long study abroad program, the deadline is usually in DECEMBER of the previous calendar year.
    • For a spring semester study abroad program, the deadline is usually in early OCTOBER of the previous calendar year. 

o        For a summer semester study abroad program, the deadline is usually in JANUARY of the same calendar year.  

·         Be aware that if you are applying for an academic year in Japan, you only need to have a GENERAL idea of which university you would like to attend.  (You do not need to have pinpointed which one exactly.)

·         The Study Abroad Office and Japan studies faculty will convene a committee to screen applications.  Potential applicants for academic-year programs, will be called in for a one-on-one interview.  (Students going on summer-only programs do not usually come for an interview.)  Some of the questions will be in Japanese, some in English.  One of the reasons for the interview is to help determine student need and to help match them to potential universities.

·         The Study Abroad Office will contact students about their acceptance to the programs.  At this point, the Study Abroad office and Japanese studies faculty will have matched students with an individual university or program in Japan.

·         The Study Abroad Office will help students with any additional paperwork needed for their individual program.  Also, the Study Abroad Office will help students with the visa application process.  Students MUST arrange to get  a passport on their own.  Click here for information about how to apply for a passport. 

·         During the last several steps of this process, students should be applying for scholarships to help support their study in Japan.

·         At some point AFTER the student is accepted to a specific program in Japan and BEFORE the student departs, the student should see Dr. Angles again to fill out a "blue sheet" that will determine how the credits earned in Japan will transfer back to WMU.

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What scholarships are available to help support study abroad in Japan?

The Study Abroad office is very good at helping WMU students get scholarships to study abroad.  Most students receive some support from one or more of the following scholarships, meaning that for many students, it is cheaper to study abroad in Japan than to study on WMU's campus in Kalamazoo! 

There are several major categories of scholarships to help support study abroad programs in Japan.  Each one of the following scholarships requires a separate application, and each has its own deadlines.  Students should use the following links and carefully read the information they find there. Information about additional study abroad scholarships can be found on the "Scholarships" page of the Study Abroad website or in the binders of scholarship opportunities kept in the Study Abroad office.  

  • Scholarships offered through the Study Abroad Office
    • President's Grant for Study Abroad: For WMU students who apply to WMU-sponsored programs.  BE SURE TO APPLY FOR THIS!  This is one of the biggest and easiest scholarships you can apply for.  The application is only one page long and is available through the link above.  To be considered for one of the bigger awards, be sure you have a FAFSA on file with the university.  If you do not have one, ask the Study Abroad office how to go about putting one on file.  Forms are downloadable from this page.
    • One-Year Scholarship to Keio University: One full scholarship (covering tuition and major expenses) is given to one student each year to attend Keio University, WMU's oldest sister institution in Tokyo.  All applicants for year-long programs are automatically considered for the Keio University scholarship.  No extra paperwork is necessary. 
    • Summer Study Abroad Scholarship for WMU Faculty-Led Programs: For WMU students who are going on short-term programs sponsored by WMU.  (People participating in Dr. Covell’s excellent Japanese Religion & Culture tour are eligible for this.)  Forms are downloadable from this page.

Scholarships offered by other parts of the university

Scholarships offered by organizations outside of the university

    • Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad: National scholarship competition sponsored twice per year by Association of Teachers of Japanese, located in University of Colorado.  WMU has had several students win this scholarship in the past!   Forms are downloadable by clicking the link above.
    • Gilman International Scholarship: Prestigious national scholarship awarded by Institute of International Education.  The application process is difficult, but WMU has had several students win this scholarship in the past! Forms are downloadable by clicking the link above.
    • Freeman-Asia: Very generous national scholarship that helps support WMU students going to study in Asian countries.  Again, a good number of WMU students have won this scholarship in the past!  Forms are downloadable by clicking the link above.
    • National Security Education Program (NSEP): A government grant for people studying less commonly taught languages, including Japanese.  Recipients must spend some time working in the public sector after their return.  Forms are downloadable by clicking the link above.

Scholarship offered by the host universities in Japan --> Once students are placed with a specific host institution in Japan, the host university in Japan may apply on the student's behalf for one of the following scholarships.  (The student may need to fill out some additional paperwork to help this process along, but the student will not initiate this process.)  

    • Association for International Education, Japan (AIEJ)
    • Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship

The Study Abroad office has additional information about other scholarships in a binder in its office.  Students are encouraged to go to the office and examine the binders with information at their leisure.

Be aware that applying for scholarships to support study abroad in Japan is somewhat nerve-wracking.  Because the notification dates for many of the scholarships is very late, students usually have to apply to go to Japan first, then wait until late spring or early summer before they will learn exactly how much scholarship money they will have to support their study abroad experience.  For this reason, it is important to plan ahead and think carefully about finances.  

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Who are the contact people for these study abroad programs?

The following people are your main contacts for the study abroad programs in Japan.

For the Japan Religion & Culture Seminar, the following is your main contact.

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What should I do if I have general study abroad questions?

Contact Dr. Angles at jeffrey.angles@wmich.edu or the Study Abroad Office at study-abroad@wmich.edu. They can point you to the appropriate authority. 

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Updated September 17, 2008