Asia University Japanese Program for Exchange Students

Spring Semester

Purpose

For students to be able to adapt to Japanese customs and to achieve some fluency in the Japanese language. All students will be required to take the intensive Japanese classes (known as Bekka, a Japanese language school attached to Asia University).

Required Courses

Japanese Language (Bekka Courses)

• 6 hours/day: Monday through Friday (except for 4 and 1/2 hours English class a week)
• 3 hours/day: Saturday

Optional Events

• Takahagi International Exchange Program (May)
• Hokkaido International Exchange Program (August)

Fall Semester

Purpose:

To achieve fluency in the Japanese language, to communicate with Japanese students and community members, and to learn about Japanese culture. Students are required to take one Bekka class and at least 3 regular classes at Asia University with Japanese students. They also will do a research project with Japanese students. At the Musashino International Association (MIA)** they will enroll in private and small group Japanese language and culture courses.

Required Courses

Students are required to take all of the following courses:

1. Japanese Studies (includes the following components)
• Japanese Studies

  An intensive Japanese course in which students study Japanese history, culture, and society in Japanese. This course is offered once a week for all Intensive Japanese Course students through the Bekka Program.

• A field trip related to the Japanese Studies Course (through the Bekka program)
• Visits to an elementary school, an earthquake simulation center, Meiji Village, Nagoya, and Toyota (through the Bekka program)
2. Joint Research Friends Program (JRF).

Students are paired up with a Japanese student. The pair works together, under the supervision of an Asia University faculty member, to write a research paper about a self-chosen topic. The American students will be required to submit a paper in Japanese, while the Japanese student will submit a paper in English. The students are required to meet with the faculty advisor once a week for research guidance and support.

3. Japanese Language Study (MIA)

Students are required to enroll in a small group Japanese language lessons offered by the Musashino International Association (MIA)**. This is a weekly course offered in the evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

4. Japanese Language Study (AU)

Students are required per week to take two Japanese Language courses for international students offered through the International Relations Faculty.

5. Private Japanese Language Study

Students are required to enroll in weekly private (one-to-one) Japanese language lessons offered by the Musashino International Association (MIA)**. The times of the private lessons are arranged according to the student's and teacher's availability.

Electives

Students are required to select at least one of the following optional courses in Japanese:

• Japanese History for International Students (in Japanese)
• Japanese Topography for International Students (in Japanese)
• Japanese Scientific Technology for International Students (in Japanese)
• Introduction to International Communications (in Japanese)

Students may take a maximum of two of the following courses

• Sports (Aikido, Kendo and others) (in Japanese)

Students may take as many of following courses in English as s/he chooses

• International Relations (in English)
• Cross-Cultural Communications (in English)
• Global Environment (in English)

Non-Required Electives

Students may choose these options to enhance their studies. These opportunities are open to all international students. Currently, it is not determined if these courses will count toward AUJP credits.

• Japanese Language and Culture classes (MIA)**

This course is supplemental language course offered every morning.

• Introduction of Japanese Culture (MIA)**

Includes lessons on Tea ceremony, Flower arrangement, Calligraphy, Japanese kimono

**MUSASHINO INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (MIA)

MIA is a local organization which helps foreigners adjust to life in the Musashino Area. Through MIA anyone can sign up for Japanese lessons, one-on-one tutoring, homestay, and ongoing events and cultural activities. MIA is not affiliated with Asia University, though many AU students do participate in MIA events and Japanese language lessons.

Direct Exchange Priority Deadlines:

• Fall quarter/Academic Year: March 1st*
• Winter/Spring quarters: June 1st*
• Late applications considered on a case by case basis.
• * If the deadline occurs on a weekend, applications will be accepted on the following Monday.