CIEE Arts and Sciences Program in Tokyo, Japan

  Japan

• Tokyo: 
Tokyo

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Throughout the year 
Dates: Fall 21 weeks: mid-September-early February; Spring 21 weeks: late March-late July; Academic Year 42 weeks: mid-September-late July; Calendar Year 42 weeks: mid-March-early February

Description: The goals of Arts and Sciences program are to help students of all Japanese language abilities further develop their Japanese skills and increase their knowledge about Japan and its people. Through intensive Japanese coursework (one of the largest selections of elective courses in English available in Japan), special guest lectures with site visits, the Cultural Reimbursement Program, and a Japanese homestay or dormitory experience, students gain considerable knowledge about Japanese culture and language.

Academic Program
Based at Sophia University since 1998, this program provides students with a supportive environment in which to study at one of Japan's top-ranked universities and experience life in Tokyo. While participants enroll in Sophia University courses alongside Japanese and international students, CIEE organizes a special orientation, homestays with Japanese families, guided field trips and cultural activities designed to introduce different facets of Japanese society.

Academic Culture
Sophia University is well known for its international environment. The Faculty of Liberal Arts is unique as it allows international and Japanese students to study together in seminar classes taught in English. The ratio of students to faculty is twenty to one. Except for language courses, most courses meet twice a week for 90-minute sessions. Most language courses meet daily, in the morning. The Sophia faculty is very international and thus, course structure varies. Some courses are more discussion-based, while others are primarily lecture style.

The program takes place during the fall or spring semester, and students can elect to stay for the Japanese academic year (late March to early February), or the North American academic year (mid-September to late July), which includes a break during February and March. Students choosing only to enroll in the fall semester are required to stay until the end of the program in early February. Early exams are not given under any circumstances.

Highlights:

• Intensive Japanese language courses for all levels
  
• Study full-time with Japanese and other international students and choose from a wide variety of courses taught in English
  
• Live with a local Japanese host family or in a Japanese university dormitory with local and international students
  
• Integrated CIEE cultural program with regional site visits and cultural activities

Overnight Trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima
This is a required two-night educational field trip for all students. Students and staff travel aboard the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Hiroshima, where the Peace Memorial Park and Museum serve as a lasting reminder of the August 6, 1945 tragedy. Following a day of touring and a lecture by an atomic bomb survivor, students enjoy an overnight stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). Students also experience the exquisite beauty of Miyajima, a sacred island dating back 1,500 years.

Overnight Trip to Kyoto and Nara
During their second semester on the program, academic year students have an optional overnight trip to Kyoto and Nara. Students and staff travel to Kyoto, a city rich in cultural treasures including temples, zen gardens, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to learning about Gion (the famous geisha district), students are able to apply their Japanese language skills while exploring the ancient sites and streets of Kyoto on their own.

Following an overnight stay at a ryokan, students and staff travel to Nara, Japan's first capital which abounds with famous national treasures, most notably the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), which is housed in the world's largest wooden building. Students attend a discussion on Buddhism and have the opportunity to practice transcribing Buddhist scriptures.

Cultural Reimbursement Program
As a means of encouraging students to enrich their study abroad experience in Tokyo, CIEE offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program, reimbursing students for their participation in local cultural activities. This may include Japanese movies, traditional Japanese music concerts and theater, and visits to local museums and historic places of interest.

Immersion
Community Involvement
Volunteer opportunities in Tokyo may be available. Students should consult with the CIEE Study Center staff early on to determine options. They are also encouraged to seek out volunteer opportunities independently.

In the past, CIEE students have volunteered at local elementary schools, helped organize a food drive for homeless people in Tokyo, and assisted with an organization that leads activities for developmentally and physically challenged youth.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Experience Required: yes