Japan – Nanzan University

Nanzan University is an excellent study abroad opportunity for Japanese language students who are seeking a summer, semester or academic year study abroad opportunity in Japan.

Snapshot

Program Details

Academic Program Type: Exchange
Program Sponsor: Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Eligibility

Participants must meet the standard eligibility and program specific requirements
ISU cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Completion of two Faculty Recommendations and an essay as part of the application process
Preference given to East Asian Studies minors

Prerequisites

Two semesters of college level Japanese or more

Limited Spots Available

A limited number of spots are available for this program per year. Please notify the Study Abroad Advisor if you are interested in applying.

Host University Website View Program Photos Research Your Country

Academics

Students can take between 4 - 6 classes for a total of 14 – 18 credits during a Fall or Spring semester

Japanese language courses are required and will be taught in Japanese, other courses subjects may be taught in English
Choose from a variety of subjects offered in the CJS, such as: general education, Japanese language, Asian studies, art, business, humanities, social sciences, history, Japanese literature, and more

Course Information

Host University Website: Please see Nanzan for Course Schedules to view the most up to date course offerings, availability, and course descriptions.

Course Equivalencies: Many courses available at Nanzan have already been evaluated for ISU credit. Please see the Course Equivalency guide for more information.

Note: Just like here at ISU, some courses are only offered during certain terms. A course may be listed on a course equivalencies page but that does not mean it will be offered during the term you are studying at that institution. Courses may have additional prerequisites, see host university for more information.

Grade Conversion and Credit Transfer: Grading and credit conversions for the this university have already been evaluated for ISU credit. Please see the Academics page for a guide to Grade Conversions and Credit Transfers.

Location

The City

Located in the city of Nagoya, capital of Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, it is a modern manufacturing and shipping hub in central Honshu
With a population of about 2.5 million, it’s less than a 2 hours train ride from Kyoto
Visit the Nagoya Castle that was built in 1612, the area surrounding the castle is one of the oldest settled areas in what is modern-day Nagoya
Walk through the Nagoya Port Aquarium, it is one of largest in Japan and is comprised of two buildings with a total of five floors

The University

Nanzan University was founded in 1946 and the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) was founded in 1974
The school of 10,000 welcomes about 100 international students from every year and is a short 40 minutes bus ride from the city center
Small classes and seminars provide an effective setting for interpersonal communication and more contact with professors
A private Catholic institution in practice, though Christian faith is not a prerequisite for entry, Nanzan University still maintains its Catholic orientation
Be sure to check out the Japan Plaza, a designated plaza where students can communicate with Japanese and foreign students only in Japanese and many more events offered by the university

Housing

Nanzan University offers its international students three types of housing arrangements: homestay, dormitory, and off-campus housing.

For additional housing information, see the host university's website for Accommodations

Homestay

The primary option and highly encouraged by the university, it is an excellent way to acquire and enhance knowledge about the Japanese language and culture

The locations of host families vary from a 60-90 minute commute by train. Commutes of this length are not unusual in Japan, and many of the students in Nanzan’s undergraduate programs have a daily ride to and from school of over three hours
Students are provided with their own furnished bedrooms. Furniture may include a desk, closet, bedding, etc. Household items such as a washing machine, dryer, and TV are shared with the family members.
Some meals are included: 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) on weekdays are provided by the host family and 3 meals on weekends are included in the homestay arrangement
Students fill out a preference form and are matched up with a suitable host family, however, placements are not finalized until immediately before the beginning of the semester

Dormitory

The University runs two off-campus facilities, the Nagoya Ko¯ ryu¯ Kaikan and the Yamazato Ko¯ ryu¯ Kaikan, which are international halls of residence open to all Nanzan students
Students will share a room and are provided a desk, closet, and futon (bedding); with access to a computer room, TV lounge, kitchen, dining room, and a shared bathroom on each floor
Located about a 20 minute walk from the main campus and a 20 minute walk from the nearest train station
Demand for this accommodation increases every year, making competition for openings very tight

Off Campus

Is not recommended by the university, as housing is very difficult to secure
This option can also be quite costly between security deposit, rent, and real estate agent fees

Costs and Dates

Academic Calendar

Fall: Early September – Mid December
Spring: Mid January – Late May

Official program dates are listed on each semester’s Estimated Budget.

For additional dates pertaining to housing, orientation, and holidays, view host university itinerary.

Estimated Budget

To see how this program compares, view the Illinois State budget.

Scholarships

Participants of this program may be eligible for a scholarship:

Visit the scholarship page for additional funding opportunities.

Program Contacts

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Roger Thomas
rkthoma@IllinoisState.edu
(309) 438-7982

Study Abroad Advisor

Alex Ratcliff
Contact my Advisor