Study in Japan
Programs in Japan
SUNY Plattsburgh offers two affordable exchange programs in Japan for Plattsburgh students. With many academic options, affordable housing, scholarship opportunities and only a couple hours by train from Tokyo — Japan is the place to be. Immerse into Japanese society and culture as you take courses with local Japanese students.
Japan Study Abroad Programs
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
- Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Class standing: Sophomore, junior, senior
- Restrictions: Plattsburgh applicants only
- Program Information
Centrally located on the main island of Honshu, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies was founded in 1988, and built on the foundation of communication, creativity, cooperation and contribution. An institution that prides itself on creating sensitive learners with a global perspective, the Global Japan Program was created specifically for international exchange students. With a focus on acquiring Japanese language skills and gaining knowledge about Japan from a global perspective, it offers a wide variety of classes categorized into the two following courses: Global Japan Studies Course (GJSC) and Japanese Language Course (JLC).
The GJSC classes can be categorized into two thematic blocks: language and culture, and business and society. These classes offer a wide variety of topics focusing on the historic heritage and traditional culture of Central Japan and the Tokai Region.The JLC offers Japanese language classes on various levels – from beginner to pre-advanced. With the maximum of 12 students in a class, the courses are characterized by thorough support and supervision provided to students by well experienced and highly qualified Japanese language instructors.
Click here to view course offerings in the Global Japan Program.
NUFS Estimated Term Dates:
- Fall semester: September – January
- Spring semester: March – July
About the location:
Located in the city of Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, NUFS is bordered by the metropolis of Nagoya to the west and just a train’s ride away from the eastern coast of Japan. Visit historical sites such as Nagoya Castle, Gifu Castle, and Atsuta Shrine, and enjoy local cuisine like misokatsu and tebasaki.
When in Nisshin, you are 1 hour 40 minutes to Tokyo, 50 minutes to Osaka, and 35 minutes to Kyoto by shinkansen, Japan’s convenient bullet train system.
For more information about sights around Nagoya, check out the Nagoya Info Sightseeing Guide.
- Housing
All exchange students are required to live in NUFS dormitories. There are three residence buildings: NUFS Global Village, NUFS International House (I-House) and NUFS-NUAS Residence. Each dormitory is fully furnished and includes single-occupancy bedrooms, communal kitchens, private bathrooms, laundry facilities and Wi-Fi.
For more information, visit the NUFS’s Housing Information web page.
Watch this campus tour video to see the campus:
- Support Services
Through the International Office (IO), NUFS offers services to their incoming exchange students as they adjust to their time in Japan. The IO supports international students with everyday needs like orientation sessions, accommodation, the language exchange program in “Language Lounges,” visa applications, finances, interpreting/translation services for medical aid, and information on the local area. For more information and services, visit the NUFS’s Student Services web page.
- Cost
Financing a study abroad program is one of the most important aspects to consider before applying. Please refer to the budget sheet below to review a detailed cost estimate for the program, which includes costs you are billed for through SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as those you must plan for, but pay directly, such as flights and accommodation. Estimates are subject to change at any time. If you have questions about the estimate, please contact the Global Education Office.
Financial aid in the form of scholarships, aid (NYS TAP, etc.), and loans, may be applied to study abroad programs. It is important that you visit the financial aid office at your home campus to discuss your eligibility prior to applying. Please share the cost estimate for your program with your financial aid office. Please note that all students participating in a Plattsburgh program are automatically enrolled and billed for a SUNY international health insurance policy through United Health Care (UHC).
Plattsburgh applicants are eligible to apply for a NUFS scholarship valued at 60,000 Japanese yen per month. Applicants are also able to apply for various SUNY Plattsburgh scholarships each semester. Scholarship applications can be accessed as an optional component of your study abroad application. Please keep in mind that SUNY Plattsburgh scholarships and study abroad applications are due at the same time.
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies Cost Estimate — Fall 2024
- Application Information
The first step of the application process is to complete the SUNY Plattsburgh study abroad application and submit all additional materials, which include official transcripts, academic references, and a study statement. Once your application is complete and has been reviewed, students will be sent additional instructions on how to complete an application for Nagoya University of Foreign Studies. It is important that you complete your application materials in this order because if you do not, it could delay your acceptance into the program.
U.S. citizens who plan to study in Japan for a period of 90 days or more must apply for a student visa. Applications can be dropped off either in person or sent by mail, depending upon the applicant’s state of residence. For more information regarding the visa application process, requirements, and fees, visit the Embassy of Japan’s website. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to find out if a visa is needed for the length of stay and to secure one if needed.
Application Deadlines
- March 15 for fall term and academic year
- October 1 for spring term
Ritsumeikan University
- Majors Available
- Accounting
- Business
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Gender and Women's Studies
- History
- International Business
- Language and Culture
- Legal Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Class standing: Sophomore, junior, senior
- Restrictions: Plattsburgh applicants only
- Program Information
Ritsumeikan University (RU) was officially founded in 1900. The name of the university is derived from a passage in the Jinxin chapter of the “Discourses of Mencius” and means, “a place to establish one’s destiny through cultivating one’s mind.” It is founded upon the ideals of “freedom and innovation” and adheres to a core educational philosophy of “peace and democracy.” RU has become one of Japan’s most well-known universities that boasts an enrollment of 36,500 students across its four campuses. RU prides itself on the importance of international education and within the past six years has welcomed over 1,113 international students from Asia, America, Europe, Oceania, and Africa to its campus.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for nearly 800 years and is renowned for its Japanese art, culture, and beauty. Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located near Ritsumeikan, such as the famous temples of Kinkakuji and Royoanji. Its unique location provides students with access to Japan’s rich history, while also allowing them to contrast with modern aspects of society. In the springtime, students can easily enjoy a bike ride throughout the city to enjoy the view of the cherry blossoms, with Kyoto being cited as one of the best cities in the country for cherry blossoms.
You can also watch this video to learn more about Kyoto and all that Ritsumeikan has to offer.
Students will elect to take courses from one of three study tracks: Intensive Japanese language (IJL), regular courses in English (RCE), or the regular courses in Japanese (RCJ) track. The track and courses that you require will determine which campus you will attend. For more information regarding study tracks, please take a look at the Study in Kansai program page.
For more information on previous courses offered at Ritsumeikan, visit: Course Lists From Previous Semesters.
RU Estimated Term Dates:
- Spring Semester: beginning of April to end of July
- Academic Year: end of September to end of July
- Housing
Ritsumeikan manages dormitories for international students, which are located close to the campus. If the international houses reach capacity, students will be placed in an alternative location. For more information regarding housing at RU, please visit Ritsumeikan’s accommodation page.
- Support Services
RU offers a wide variety of student support services that aim to address the anxiety and concerns that can come along with studying abroad. RU provides information for all of its incoming students in the areas of pre-enrollment, the academic system, student life, scholarships, and much more.
Learn more about the array of services available to RU exchange students
- Cost
Financing a study abroad program is one of the most important aspects to consider before applying. Please refer to the budget sheet below to review a detailed cost estimate for the program, which includes costs you are billed for through SUNY Plattsburgh, as well as those you must plan for, but pay directly, such as a flight and accommodation. Estimates are subject to change at any time. If you have questions about the estimate, please contact the Global Education Office.
Financial aid in the form of scholarships, aid (NYS TAP, etc.), and loans, may be applied to study abroad programs. It is important that you visit the financial aid office at your home campus to discuss your eligibility prior to applying. Please share the cost estimate for your program with your financial aid office. Please note that all students participating in a Plattsburgh program are automatically enrolled and billed for a SUNY international health insurance policy through United Health Care (UHC).
SUNY Plattsburgh students are able to apply for various SUNY Plattsburgh scholarships each semester. Scholarship applications can be accessed as an optional component of your study abroad application. Please keep in mind that scholarship and study abroad applications are due at the same time.
- Application Information
The first step of the application process is to complete the SUNY Plattsburgh study abroad application and submit all additional materials, which include official transcripts, academic references, and a study statement. Once your application is complete and has been reviewed, students will be sent additional instructions on how to complete an application for Ritsumeikan University. It is important that you complete your application materials in this order because if you do not, it could delay your acceptance into the program.
U.S citizens who plan to study in Japan for a period of 90 days or more must apply for a student visa. Applications can be dropped off either in person or sent by mail, depending upon the applicant’s state of residence. For more information regarding the visa application process, requirements, and fees, please visit the Embassy of Japan’s website. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to find out if a visa is needed for the length of stay and to secure one if needed.
Application Deadlines
- March 15 for academic year (fall only is not available for RU)
- October 1 for spring term
Due to RU's academic calendar, Plattsburgh students are only able to study abroad on this program during the spring semester or entire academic year. The fall semester is not available for study abroad.