Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies: Japanese Studies Subplan

Department Recommendations

Familiarize yourself with the graduation requirements for the AMES major or minor.

Program Selection

There are three basic types of programs

  • Host-University Study Programs: programs in which students enroll in a university alongside students from the host country
  • Study Center Programs: programs in which students take classes in an institute or a center for foreign students
  • Study Center Programs with a university component: programs that combine courses in a center for foreign students with the option of taking courses in a university with native speakers

Exchange Options in Japan

The Learning Abroad Center offers semester and academic year exchange options in Japan. All of these are classified as Study Center Programs with a University Component.

  • UofM students trade places with a Japanese student from the Japanese university.
  • Exchange programs often demand a high level of independence and you must be able to deal with a high level of ambiguity at times. You will be responsible for problem-solving in-country.
  • Deadlines are earlier than other program types, often a year before departure.
  • A certain number of slots are available and once you submit your completed application, it will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center. If you are selected, you will be nominated for the exchange.
  • Students nominated for the exchange will then be required to complete the Japanese university’s application.
  • The final acceptance decision will be made by the Japanese university.
  • Cost is based on University of Minnesota tuition and fees and students receive resident credit.

Best Time to Go Abroad

  • AMES majors and minors may study abroad at any time during their academic career.
  • AMES, however, recommends that you complete the equivalent of the first two years of language study before studying abroad. Students benefit the most learning abroad in their 3rd year and above.
  • AMES does not recommend studying abroad during the final semester of your senior year unless you have completed AMES 4901W. Consult with the AMES adviser and the Director of Language Instruction in advance if you are planning to do so.

Meet With the AMES Academic Adviser

  • Determine what type of abroad coursework can be used in your major or minor.
  • Determine how your coursework will be evaluated upon your return.
  • Complete the Academic Planning Form for Study Abroad (APSA) to structure and document your discussion at least a month prior to your departure.
  • Be sure to list more courses on the APSA form than what you will actually take abroad in case a particular course or schedule may not be available on-site.
  • While abroad, notify your AMES adviser via email to any changes in your onsite registration (credit, course content, new course needing approval, etc.)

Fulfill Academic Requirements

Liberal Education Requirements

Major and Minor Requirements

  • AMES Major: It is possible to earn language credit (third year and above) and up to 3 electives through learning abroad coursework.
  • AMES Minor: It is possible to earn advanced language credit (third year or above) or one elective through learning abroad coursework.
  • Study abroad coursework may also be used to fulfill the Group B or C coursework requirement for the major.
  • Study abroad coursework cannot be used to fulfill the five AMES-designated courses or the major project (AMES 4901W).
  • Elective coursework may be taken in English or Japanese.
  • Study abroad resident or transfer credit may be applied toward major and minor requirements as long as the grades are taken on an A/F grade base.
  • Coursework most similar to AMES-designator courses have the greatest likelihood of being approved for the major/minor. For example, a Japanese literature/language/culture course may be approved, but a Japanese accounting or science course will not be approved.
  • Most coursework will need to be petitioned upon return. A meeting with your AMES adviser prior to departure, which is required, can help increase the likelihood of your coursework abroad being approved for major or minor requirements.

Language Coursework

  • When taking language coursework abroad, you will work with the program to determine your Japanese language course level. This may involve a written placement exam, oral exam, and/or writing sample. Keep in mind that you cannot receive credit for a class that duplicates what you have already taken on campus.
  • If you are not satisfied with the level in which you have placed, notify the on-site staff, your AMES academic adviser, and your Learning Abroad Center program adviser immediately.
  • Prerequisite (first and second year) language coursework taken abroad may not be used to fulfill AMES major/minor requirements.

Upon Return

  • It is crucial to retain all coursework materials from the classes you take abroad, including all syllabi, textbooks, papers, tests, projects and presentation handouts. These materials will be reviewed by the department to determine the applicability of study abroad coursework to the major or minor.
  • Consult with the AMES academic adviser to determine:
    • appropriate placement into your next language course upon return.
    • completion of the language requirement for the major.
    • whether a placement exam is required to apply credit toward your AMES major or minor
  • Because of the sequencing of AMES language courses, you may not be able to enroll in the next language level immediately after returning from abroad.
  • Your APAS record will not be updated until your study abroad grades post to your transcript.

Scholarship Opportunities

University of Minnesota

  • The Learning Abroad Center offers at least three scholarships for which AMES students pursuing study abroad may be eligible. In addition, some affiliate programs, including CET offer scholarships for students participating on their programs.
  • The College of Liberal Arts offers scholarships that may be used for study abroad, including the Lawrence scholarship specifically for AMES students.
  • The Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota is offering Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships in African, Asian and International Studies. The competition is open to undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students to study a modern, less-commonly-taught language (LCTL) in combination with an area studies course. Travel to countries on the US State Department travel warning list are not eligible for FLAS funding.

National Scholarships

  • The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (gives preference to students studying in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America) offers grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.
  • Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, provide up to $20,000 to US undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests.
  • Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLSP) is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages.
  • Fulbright supports one year of study, research, creative work, or English teaching in one of approximately 130 foreign countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with the majority of their undergraduate education in the U.S. Seniors, recent graduates and graduate students may apply. Campus contact for undergraduates and recent graduates:  [email protected].

Japan-specific & Region-specific Scholarships

  • United States—Japan Bridging Foundation: Growing Global Leaders. Scholarships up to $5,000 for the academic year, which provides for travel and daily cost-of-living expenses.
  • Mondale Scholarship is awarded by the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM). JASM offers scholarships for the academic year enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities.
  • Freeman-ASIA Scholarship offers awards up to $7,000 for US-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Preference is given to students with little or no previous experience studying in Asia.

Programs

Asia & Oceania

Hiroshima, Japan

Exchange in Hiroshima, Japan: Hiroshima University

  • Program Type: Study Center Program with a university component
  • Program Term: Academic Year
  • Housing: Dormitory
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • Resident credit

Kyoto, Japan

Exchange in Kyoto, Japan: Ritsumeikan University

  • Program Type: Study Center Program with a university component
  • Program Term: Academic year, Spring Semester
  • Housing: Dormitory
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • Resident credit

Nagoya, Japan

Exchange in Nagoya, Japan: Nagoya University

  • Program Type: Study Center Program with a university component
  • Program Term: Academic Year, Spring semester
  • Housing: Dormitory
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • Resident credit

Nanzen University (offered through IES Japan)

  • Direct enroll option is available through IES Japan
  • Program Term: Semester, Academic Year
  • Housing: Homestays available
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • English-taught Japanese area studies courses available
  • One-year college-level Japanese required
  • Resident credit

Osaka, Japan

CET Academic Programs

  • Program Type: Study Center
  • Program Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Housing: Dorm with local roommate
  • Intensive Japanese language study
  • No prerequisites
  • Resident Credit

Tokyo, Japan

Exchange in Tokyo, Japan: Sophia University

  • Program Type: Study Center Program with a university component
  • Program Term: Academic Year, Spring Semester
  • Housing: Apartment, Dormitory
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • Resident credit

Exchange in Tokyo, Japan: Hitotsubashi University

  • Program Type: Study Center Program with a university component
  • Program Term: Spring Semester, Academic Year
  • Housing: Dormitory
  • Intensive Japanese language study available
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • Resident credit

Study Abroad in Tokyo (available through IES Japan)

  • Program Type: Study Center Program 
  • Program Term: Semester, Academic Year, Calendar Year, Summer Session
  • Housing: Dormitory, Homestay
  • Language-intensive program available
  • Language course instruction available at Meikai University that combines grammar, vocabulary, reading and academic writing, and kanji.
  • Non-language courses available in English
  • 3 semesters of college-level Japanese required
  • Resident credit
Additional Options to Consider

LAC Global Seminars

  • 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
  • Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.

LAC Freshman Seminars

  • Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
  • Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.

Additional LAC Seminars

  • Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.

Intensive Language Programs

  • Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
  • Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.