Program Offerings
Courses for those participating on exchange within the Asian Studies Program are comprised of two parts: Japanese language courses and Asian area studies courses. For language courses, students are divided into levels of instruction according to the results of placement tests conducted upon arrival at Kansai Gaidai. Asian area studies courses are offered in various fields ranging from business and economics to religion, history, culture, and politics. These courses are all taught in English by professors with extensive academic backgrounds in Japan and Asia and considerable experience teaching international students.
Please note: no prior Japanese language ability or experience is required. However, all students are required to take an introductory 5-credit Spoken Japanese language class. There is also an option to take a 3-credit Reading and Writing Japanese class. For more information on the curriculum and courses offered, click here.
Kansai Gaidai’s program in Japanese and Asian Studies in internationally renowned. It therefore attracts students from all over the world, contributing to a true international community on the Kansai Gaidai campus. For a more detailed overview of the experience at Kansai Gaidai, click here and see Campus Life.
Cost
Students pay MU tuition, room and board and the Millersville general and tech fees directly to Millersville. There is an additional non-refundable, non-transferable $400.00 MU program participation fee paid directly to Millersville with the $40 application fee, due at time of application. These charges do not include passport and visa fees, airfare, books and supplies, or incidental expenses such as laundry, personal travel or entertainment.
Below is an estimated worksheet of costs for the spring 2010 semester at Kansai Gaidai.
Kansai Gaidai Cost Worksheet [pdf]
Financial Assistance
Students should investigate loans which may be available, such as Federal Student Aid. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if their scholarships are transferable, since scholarships have individual regulations. Students can also look into scholarships or grants such as Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan (www.colorado.edu/ealc/atj/bridging/scholarships.html).
Another option is to research online on www.studyabroadfunding.org
Please see Financial Considerations for more information.
Dates
Fall semester classes start at the end of August and continue until the middle of December. The Spring semester starts at the end of January and finishes at the end of May.
See the Kansai Gaidai Academic Calendar for important dates: (http://www.kansaigaidai.ac.jp/asp/03_academics/01.html)
Accommodation
Students may choose to live in a dormitory or participate in the homestay program. The meals included for homestay are breakfast and dinner as well as weekend meals. For lunch on weekdays, a lunch allowance will be provided for students to eat at the on-campus cafeteria. The homestay is a popular option and often times more students select a homestay than there are host families available. Students initially selecting a homestay should be aware that there is a possibility they will still be placed in the dormitory if they cannot be matched with a family.
For those students electing to live in a dormitory, a larger meal allowance will be provided to cover three meals per day. Students may also prepare meals in the dorm kitchen, eat at on-campus cafeterias, or nearby restaurants. Full kitchen facilities are available in the dormitories. During winter break, if students wish to stay in the dorms, an additional fee will be charged. Please ask for the current prices if you seek this option. Students may, however, prefer to spend this time traveling or to stay with friends.
A student who wishes for the independence and diversity of the dorm but also wants to experience life with a Japanese family can opt to participate in the Home Visit program. This program allows students to become acquainted with aspects of Japanese culture and daily life through interaction with a Japanese family on the weekends.
Click here for more detailed housing information.
Eligibility
A limited number of participants are accepted for the Kansai Gaidai exchange each year and the selection is fairly competitive. Students applying to the Kansai Gaidai program must demonstrate strong academic achievement and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Previous study of Japanese language and/or culture is not required but is a plus. This program is only available to Millersville University students.
Please note: Due to increased demand for this program, students are only able to apply to study abroad through this program for one semester at a time. Extension of the study abroad program to a subsequent semester may be possible and will be determined on a case by case basis.
Most students who study abroad are traditionally juniors. However, students can and do study abroad anytime after they have completed 24 credits. Students should complete an application to study abroad one semester before wishing to go abroad. An official transcript and a minimum of two recommendation forms from MU professors are also required.The Office of Global Education will then review all applications. Approval will be determined shortly after the applications are received and students will be notified via email at the address noted on the application.
Transfer of Credit
Students should work with their major/minor advisors to select courses which will fit into their major(s), minor(s), and General Education requirements, where appropriate. The Office of Global Education cannot provide any academic advice or determine class equivalencies.
A Request for Study Abroad Resident Credits form, available through the Office of Global Education & Partnerships, must be completed before the student leaves. This form gives students and their major/minor departments the opportunity to determine multiple possibilities of course equivalencies before departing for their program. With advisor and departmental approval, the Resident Credits form can also be amended while abroad, should students wish to register for new classes that were not approved before departure.
After the study abroad program is completed and a transcript is sent to Millersville University, the Registrar's Office determines the final transfer of credit. All courses taken at Kansai Gaidai will come back to Millersville as transfer credit. Please consult the Undergraduate Catalog ("Transfer Credit") for the transfer policy.
To Apply
See our home page http://www.millersville.edu/~globaled/index.php for the date the applications become available and the final application deadline. As a general rule, for spring semester study, applications are due by mid September and for fall semester study, applications are due by mid February.
Before downloading and submitting an application to study abroad through this program, students are STRONGLY encouraged to research the program thoroughly and discuss their plans with the Office of Global Education, their academic advisor(s) and any family members or others involved in the decision making process.
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READ THE DIRECTIONS BELOW BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION.
IMPORTANT: Please carefully read the eligibility requirements on the first page to ensure you have meet the necessary minimum requirements. Type directly into each page of the application, including the recommendation forms. You will be able to save the document on your computer and resume in more than one sitting if necessary. Once the entire application is complete, please print it out, sign and date on the appropriate pages, and submit to the Office of Global Education. The application checklist on the second page is there for your convenience - incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
**YOU MAY ONLY APPLY FOR ONE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM PER SEMESTER**
For the STUDENT: Kansai Gaidai Application [pdf]
Please type directly into this document.
The Recommendation Form below is for EVALUATOR USE ONLY. The student's portion of the evaluation is included in the application and should be submitted to the evaluator BEFORE he/she completes the following document.
For the EVALUATOR:
Kansai Gaidai Recommendation Form [pdf]
Please type directly into this document. |
