Japan Exchanges—At a Glance Comparison
| Hiroshima University | Hitotsubashi University | Nagoya University | Ritsumeikan University | Sophia University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Higashi-Hiroshima | Kunitachi City & Kodaira City, Tokyo | Nagoya | Kyoto | Tokyo |
| Academic offerings |
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| Terms | Academic year (Late September-Early August) or Spring Semester (April-August) | Academic year (Late September-Early August) or Spring Semester (April-August) | Academic year (Late September-Early August) or Spring Semester (April-August) | Academic year (Late September-Early August) or Spring Semester (April-August) | Academic year (Late September-Early August) or Spring Semester (April-August) |
| City population | 200,000 | 76,000 and 190,000 | 2.3 million | 1.5 million | 14 million |
| Total undergraduate/graduate enrollment | 16,000 | 7,000 | 17,000 | 35,000 | 14,000 |
| # of int'l students studying at university | 1,200 | 800 | 1,900 | 2,000 | 1,600 |
| # of US students studying at university | 15 | 15 | 30 | 35 | 210 |
| Language Prerequisite | No previous Japanese language study required, although preference is given to students with Japanese coursework | No previous Japanese language study required, although preference is given to students with Japanese coursework | No previous Japanese language study required, although preference is given to students with Japanese coursework | No previous Japanese language study required, although preference is given to students with Japanese coursework | No previous Japanese language study required, although preference is given to students with Japanese coursework |
| GPA requirement | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
What makes these universities unique?
Hiroshima University: Hiroshima University is located in Higashi-Hiroshima, a small city outside of Hiroshima City. Hiroshima City is well known for being the site of the atomic bomb drop during World War II. Today the city bustles and thrives while maintaining important sites of remembrance. Hiroshima University has a large campus and strong campus community. Students report that they have ample opportunity to practice their Japanese because fewer people in this smaller town speak English.
Hitotsubashi University: Hitotsubashi University’s main campus is in Kunitachi City, and students live in dormitories in nearby Kodaira City. Kunitachi City is approximately 40 minutes west of central Tokyo by train. Hitotsubashi University is a prestigious national university specializing in the social sciences and a seminar style of teaching. Its beautiful campus is a peaceful place with proximity to the bustle of central Tokyo.
Nagoya University: Nagoya University is a top research university located in the urban center of Nagoya. This program has ample course offerings in the sciences, which is unique among the exchange sites. Nagoya is Japan’s fourth largest city and is known for its automobile industry instead of being a tourist destination.
Ritsumeikan University: Ritsumeikan University is a top private university located in Kyoto, a traditional city well known for its plethora of temples and shrines. In fact, Ryoanji, a temple known for its famous rock garden, is directly outside the university’s main gate.
Sophia University: Sophia University is located near the Yotsuya station in central Tokyo and has an urban and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Many Japanese students at Sophia University complete their entire degree in English, so there are extensive English-taught course offerings available to exchange students. Sophia University is a private university that enrolls a large number of international students.