Program Details
Location
Kyoto,
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
Ritsumeikan University enjoys a rich and prominent history and is considered one of the most distinguished institutions of higher learning and research in Japan. Participate in the Study in Kansai Program (SKP), which brings together students from around the world at Ritsumeikan's campuses in Kyoto, Osaka, and Shiga Prefectures. It offers numerous courses in Japanese language and culture, utilizing the extensive historical and cultural resources of the Kansai region. The program also offers courses in English regarding both Japan-related and business subjects.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Ritsumeikan University organizes dorm or apartment housing for you as an exchange student. They are fully furnished and are within easy access of RU campuses by bicycle and public transportation.
Excursions
Ritsumeikan hosts a large number of visiting students each year, and various student groups and activities are a great way to meet other Japanese and international students.
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 world views, 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
12–20 credits for a semester or 24–40 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. UofM students must register for a minimum of 12 credits per term. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.
The Study in Kansai Program (SKP) offers courses in Japanese and in English. You will enroll in one of three tracks:
- Intensive Japanese Language (IJL) Track: This track is for language acquisition. IJL offers courses in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at a variety of levels from introductory to advanced. The IJL Track is offered on the Kinugasa campus in Kyoto.
- Regular Courses in English (RCE) Track: RCE courses range from Asia-Pacific studies and economic development to contemporary Japanese culture. Participation is also open to Japanese students and students from the Global Studies Major, creating a truly international setting that facilitates international exchange between students. The RCE Track is offered on all 3 campuses.
- Japanese language classes: If you study on the Kinugasa campus, you may take 1 introductory Japanese course. If you study on the Osaka-Ibaraki campus, you may select from elementary to upper advanced Japanese language courses. There is no Japanese language instruction available on the Biwako-Kusatsu campus.
- Business classes: If you are interested in taking business classes , you will live and study on the Osaka-Ibaraki campus.
- Regular Courses in Japanese (RCJ) Track: This track is for advanced Japanese language study (N1 on the JPLT). You will study alongside regular Ritsumeikan students, and can take both liberal arts and specialized courses in Japanese offered by 16 Ritsumeikan University colleges on all 3 campuses.
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:
| Term Abroad | Date/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | TBD | TBD |
| Academic Year 2024–25 | TBD | TBD |
Spring 2025
Application Open Date: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: September 1, 2024
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Mid March |
| Program End | Late July |
Academic Year 2024–25
Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late September |
| Program End | Late July |
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 2025
Exchange in Japan: Ritsumeikan U, KyotoSpring Semester 2025 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $7,117 |
| International health insurance | $308 |
| 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 | $2,500 |
| Passport/photos | $150 |
| Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (170) | $200 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,350 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $200 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (1800), Meals (2000) | $3,800 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $2,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $6,000 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $17,175 |
| 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 2024–25
Exchange in Japan: Ritsumeikan U, KyotoAcademic Yr Fall 2024/Spring 2025 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $13,265 |
| International health insurance | $615 |
| 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 | $150 |
| Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (210) | $240 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $500 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $3,890 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $400 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3400), Meals (4000) | $7,400 |
| Essential daily living expenses | $4,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $11,800 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $29,970 |
| 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
The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
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 Ritsumeikan University. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to Ritsumeikan University directly through their online system (instructions will be provided). Ritsumeikan 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 Ritsumeikan 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