Program Details
Location
Hiroshima,
Japan
Term
Academic Year
Spring Semester
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
3.0
About
The University of Hiroshima’s campus is located Higashi-Hiroshima City, approximately 30 minutes outside of central Hiroshima. The city is in a beautiful natural area that has long been famous for the brewing of sake, Japanese rice wine. Hiroshima University has a large campus and strong campus community. You will have ample opportunity to practice your Japanese, as fewer people in this smaller town speak English, and there are abundant opportunities to interact with local students.
Learn more about being an exchange student at Hiroshima University.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Live in single rooms in the Ikenoue Student Dormitory. Japanese students live in this dorm too, and it is a great way to integrate into university life. Every floor in the dorm has a kitchen, and there are also cafeterias and dining halls on campus.
Excursions
There are numerous opportunities to get involved at Hiroshima University. The Hiroshima University Study Abroad program organizes conversation partners, homestay opportunities, and various events throughout the year. These events include festivals, cherry blossom viewing, and more. Hiroshima University also has a multitude of clubs, circles, and sports/martial arts groups that you can join.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program and foster second language acquisition whenever possible
- Learn to appreciate diverse worldviews, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity; added benefit of reciprocity to foster mutual respect and understanding
- Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
- Identify and communicate how your experience abroad has impacted you personally, academically, and professionally
Program Structure
Program Level
Upper and lower division coursework available.
Courseload
12–16 credits for spring semester or 24–32 credits for the academic year.
Coursework
Grade & Credit Conversion Scale (PDF)
You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.
Coursework for Exchange Students
If you are an exchange student, you are eligible to take most of the undergraduate courses. However, in the field of medicine, practicum for pedagogy, and laboratory training for science and engineering courses, etc., there are courses that you are not allowed to take.
When applying to HU, you must choose from one of the following “Schools”: Integrated Arts & Sciences, Letters, Education, Economics, Science, Engineering, Applied Biological Science, or Informatics & Data Science. You are able to take courses offered in schools other than the one you’ve been admitted to by obtaining permission from the lecturers.
- Courses taught in English
- Courses taught in Japanese
- Japanese Language Courses
Hiroshima University Syllabus (this is a list of the “Schools” within HU)
- Click on a link for the specific school to see the courses offered, along with the language that the course is taught in.
- If you are interested in a class where the language of instruction is listed as “B:Japanese/English”, contact the HUSA office ([email protected]) to see if they are able to provide additional information.
Additional Notes
- Courses may last either an entire semester or a single term. You will need to check the course syllabus to determine the length of the course.
- Semester 1 = Spring semester, which consists of 1 Term and 2 Term
- Semester 2 = Fall semester, which consists of 3 Term and 4 Term
- You must attend at least 7 class sessions per week to meet the minimum hours required to maintain a student visa.
- If you are an exchange student, you need to take at least 4 courses within one of the Schools/Colleges relating to your major per semester.
Japanese language courses can be found in the Morito Institute of Global Higher Education.
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Academic Year 2026–27
Application Open Date: August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late September |
| Program End | Early August |
Spring 2026
Application Open Date: March 1, 2025
Application Deadline: August 8, 2025
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Early April |
| Program End | Early August |
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Spring 2026
Exchange in Japan: Hiroshima USpring Semester 2026 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $7,050 |
| International health insurance | $375 |
| Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $7,825 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $7,825 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $3,000 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (100) | $130 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,805 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $200 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (1500), Meals (2000) | $3,500 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $2,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $5,700 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $17,330 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $3,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Academic Year 2025–26
Exchange in Japan: Hiroshima UAcademic Yr Fall 2025/Spring 2026 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $13,130 |
| International health insurance | $750 |
| Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $14,280 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $14,280 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $3,000 |
| Passport/photos | $175 |
| Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (200) | $230 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,905 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $400 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3000), Meals (4000) | $7,000 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $4,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $11,400 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $29,585 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $4,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items for you to submit to the Learning Abroad Center:
- Exchange in Japan personal essay
- Japan Exchange University Preference Form
- Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting
Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to Hiroshima University. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to Hiroshima University directly through their online system (instructions will be provided). Hiroshima University will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
- You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and Hiroshima University—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
- You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Christina Dunbar at [email protected],
or call at
612.624.3949.