Studying at Akita University from Overseas
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Studying Abroad from Akita University
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Studying Abroad from Akita University
Student exchange programs
The Akita University student exchange programs allow students to study abroad for up to one year at one of Akita University's partner universities while still enrolled at Akita University.
Outline of Exchange Program
| Eligibility | Students enrolled in a regular undergraduate or graduate course at Akita University *Students will be enrolled at Akita University during their study abroad program, and their status will be "Studying abroad". You will pay tuition to Akita University and will be exempt from paying tuition at your study abroad destination university. |
|---|---|
| Destination | An overseas partner university with which Akita University has a memorandum of understanding for student exchange *The list of overseas partner universities will be posted on the Study Abroad Program Information page. |
| What to learn | You can take regular courses in your field of study at your study abroad destination, just like local students. Some partner schools offer free or paid language training programs. |
| Duration | Within one year |
| When to begin | The program begins at the start of the semester at the host university, which varies from university to university. |
| Limitation on the number of students | The maximum number of students that can be sent from Akita University each year is set, and the number varies from university to university. |
| Application Process | Please check the application guidelines and submit the required documents to the International Affairs Division. Application guidelines will be posted on the Study Abroad Program Information page and a-net once the application period begins. Application guidelines for the following year (for study abroad programs starting from April 1 to March 31) are usually released around November. |
| Application deadline | Application deadlines vary depending on the destination university. The deadline for submission of documents at Akita University is two to three months before the deadline of the destination university. For details, please contact the International Student Exchange and Support Section, International Affairs Division. |
| Selection process | Candidates will be selected through document screening and interviews. |
Advantages of studying abroad
There are many positives to being an exchange student.
The tuition fees of the host university will be waived.
You will be able to take specialized courses at the host university according to your own specialty and wishes.
Credits earned during the study abroad may be recognized by Akita University.
You will be able to obtain information about your host university more easily on campus.
The university will act as an intermediary in the study abroad process.
If you meet the requirements, you will be able to apply for scholarships.
Status and credits earned while studying abroad
In the case of exchange students, the period of study abroad is counted as within the university’s academic year and enrollment period, so it is possible to graduate in the usual four years if you meet the graduation requirements. However, time is needed to properly prepare before studying abroad, so you should consult with the General Academic Affairs Division of your faculty even when you’re at the stage of simply thinking about studying abroad.
Credits earned at your study abroad destination will be approved only if they are deemed appropriate by the faculty committee. You will need to consult with your academic advisor and the General Academic Affairs Division before you leave for your study abroad.
Scholarships for exchange students
The following is an overview of the scholarships available for exchange students.
Akita University ‘Miraisozo Fund’ overseas student study support program
This program provides financial support for part of the international airfare required for the outbound travel of students from Akita University to study abroad. The maximum amount of support is 40,000 JPY for South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, and 100,000 JPY for other countries.
JASSO overseas study support program (dispatch by agreement)
Akita University Program for
Solving of the Regional Problem
This program aims to build knowledge that will contribute to the resolution of regional problems through the application of individual expertise.
The challenges facing the region require a multidisciplinary approach that transcends the boundaries of existing disciplines. The objective of this program is to develop individuals with advanced problem-solving skills who, through the implementation of projects, will be able to contribute to the resolution of regional issues in cooperation with people from different cultural backgrounds, while possessing a high level of expertise and a cross-disciplinary perspective.
In this program, students first attend lectures and other courses at their host universities.
(1) Exercise-type lectures to understand the actual situation of the region
(2) Practical lectures to develop cross-cultural communication skills
(3) Specialized courses to deepen the expertise of each faculty
Next, students plan and implement a project that contributes to solving local issues by utilizing their knowledge, communication skills, and connections with local residents and organizations that they developed in the preparation stage.
Participating students will be able to plan elaborate projects based on in-depth discussions with students with different specialties. In addition, through each stage of the program, they will be able to build deep and sustainable relationships with the students and local residents with whom they work, even after the program is over.
The details of the support are as follows. In order to receive support, there are certain requirements such as academic achievement, language ability, and the family’s financial situation.
| The countries that students will be able to visit | Canada, Israel, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Romania, Germany, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea |
|---|---|
| Monthly scholarship | 80,000 JPY, 70,000 JPY, or 60,000 JPY, depending on the country of destination |
| Travel support | 160,000 JPY |
| Number of recipients | Up to 10 students |
JASSO type 2 scholarship (short-term study abroad)
This is an interest-bearing scholarship loan that is lent to students who wish to study abroad for a short period of time at a junior college, university, or graduate school in a foreign country while still enrolled at a university or other institution in Japan.
Language skills required for the exchange programs
In order to apply for the exchange programs, you need to have a language proficiency test score. The language proficiency requirements vary depending on the host university, but it goes without saying that you need to acquire the language skills beforehand, since the lectures at the host university will be given in the local language or in English. If you wish to study abroad, you should start learning the language as soon as possible.
Regarding CEFR
CEFR stands for “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” and is an international standard to determine the level of proficiency of learners of a foreign language. Some partner institutions require CEFR B1 or B2, and CEFR B2, for example, is equivalent to TOEFL iBT 72 or TOEIC L&R 785. Use this as a benchmark to improve your language skills when you study abroad.
Regarding TOEFL
The TOEFL is a test designed to assess the English language skills of non-native English speakers, and is mainly used to evaluate the English language proficiency of students who wish to study at universities in English-speaking countries.
【Reference】TOEFL? Test Japan Office Website
Regarding TOEFL ITP
TOEFL ITP is an unofficial test for groups that reuses past questions from the TOEFL-PBT. It can be used as a score for exchange students from Akita University to Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, and is also an ideal test to practice before taking the TOEFL iBT and to measure English proficiency. For more information about the exam, please contact the Akita University Co-op career station.
【Reference】Scheduled date of the Akita University Co-op TOEFL-ITP test for 2021
Regarding the use of ALL Rooms and English Marathon
Make use of ALL Rooms, the autonomous English study space on the 2nd floor of the Student Support Building, and English Marathon, which is mainly for 2nd year students, to increase your opportunities to come into contact with English on a daily basis and improve your overall English skills. For more information about the English Marathon, please contact ALL Rooms.
【Reference】The ALL Rooms HP
Submission of reports during the exchange program
Notification of arrival (by the next day at the latest after arrival)
In order to confirm your safety, please report the following information to the International Affairs Division via email as soon as possible after your arrival at your study abroad destination.
(1) Date of arrival
(2) Mobile phone number where you can be reached from Japan
(3) Name and contact information of the person in charge at the host university
＊If you are unable to use email immediately after your arrival, please contact us immediately by fax or phone.
Notification of the start of the study abroad (within one month of arrival)
Please download and fill out the “Notification of the Start of Study Abroad” from the “Application and notification forms download” page, and submit it to the International Affairs Division by email. However, if it will take some time to finalize the class schedule, please fill in the other items and submit it as soon as possible, then rewrite and submit it as soon as the class schedule has been finalized.
International air ticket stubs (within one month of arrival)
Students who are eligible for travel expense subsidies from the ‘Miraisozo Fund’ overseas student study support program should send the stub of their international air ticket for the outbound trip (photocopies are not accepted) to the International Affairs Division.
Monthly report on studying abroad (by the end of each month)
Make sure you submit the “Monthly Report on Studying Abroad” (any format is acceptable) to the International Affairs Division by email (details of your study at the university and what you are learning through your study abroad experience in general) by the end of each month. Please include the email addresses of your coordinator of the partner university and your academic advisor. If no report has been received by the end of each month, the International Affairs Division may contact the department in charge at your host university to confirm your enrollment.
Report on your return
Notification of your return date (before returning home)
Please report the following information to the International Affairs Division by email at least one month prior to your scheduled return date.
(1) Date of return
(2) Details of your itinerary from your point of departure to Akita (including the number and time of your return flight).
Notification of your return (by the next day at the latest after your return)
Please contact the International Affairs Division by email as soon as possible after your arrival in Japan to confirm that you arrived safely in Japan.
Report on study abroad (within one month after your return)
Please download and fill out the “Report on Study Abroad” from the “Application and notification forms download” page, and submit it to the International Affairs Division by email. In addition, students who are eligible for travel expense subsidies from the ‘Miraisozo Fund’ should download and fill out the “Report on Returning Home” from the “Application and notification forms download” page and submit it to the International Affairs Division via email.
Report on study abroad experiences (within one month after your return)
Please submit your “Report on study abroad experiences” (any format is acceptable) to the International Affairs Division by email within one month after your return. Please attach three or four photos with captions. Please include a summary of your study abroad experience, including what you learned and felt during your study abroad experience at the partner institution. The report will be posted on this website, so please make sure to obtain permission from anyone shown in the photos to post them.
Other reports during the study abroad period
If there is an accident or incident at your study abroad destination, please be sure to contact the International Affairs Division to confirm your safety, even if you have not been harmed. Before your departure, please make sure that you know how to contact your parent or guardian while you are away during your study abroad. Please keep in touch with your parent or guardian not only immediately after you arrive at your study abroad destination, but also on a regular basis to let them know how you are doing at your study abroad destination.
If you are going to travel outside of your host country or region during your study abroad, please send an email to the International Affairs Division before your departure with the following information so that we can contact you as soon as possible in case of an incident or accident in your host country or region.
(1) Destination country/region
(2) Travel schedule (including transportation to be used and address of accommodation)
(3) The possibility of being unable to be contacted during the trip.
Change or withdrawal
from your study abroad plan due to the impact of COVID-19
If you wish to change or withdraw from your study abroad plan due to the impact of COVID-19, please report to the International Affairs Division as soon as possible and download and fill out the “Notification of Change/Withdrawal of Study Abroad Plan” from the “Application and notification forms download” page and submit it to the International Affairs Division by email.
Withdrawal from study abroad due to reasons
other than the impact of COVID-19
If you wish to withdraw from the exchange program due to unavoidable circumstances, please report to the International Affairs Division immediately and submit a document explaining the reason to the International Affairs Division by email.
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