| Name of Program |
JAPAN: JCMU-- Long Term |
| Location: |
Hikone, Japan |
| Sponsoring Institution(s) |
The Japan Center for Michigan Universities: http://www.isp.msu.edu/JCMU |
| Dates |
Long Term: early September to mid- February |
| Language of Instruction |
Japanese and English |
| Eligibility Requirements |
Junior Standing (17 units) Participation by Kalamazoo students in this
program is subject to annual enrollment limits: 15.
Contact the Center for International Programs for details. See
the College catalogue for selection criteria. |
| Additional Recommended Prep |
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| GPA |
2.5 minimum |
| Language |
Minimum: Japanese and English 103
Maximum: Japanese and English |
| Application Process |
Application/Essay Required?
Interview Required?
Due Date for Applications |
| Approved for Transfer of |
Kalamazoo Financial Assistance/Scholarships Academic Credit |
| Orientation on K Campus Required | Yes |
| Academics | The Japan Center for Michigan Universities is an educational institution supported by the government of the Shiga Prefecture, the State of Michigan and a consortium of the public universities in Michigan. Study abroad students participate in JCMU's Academic Program on Japanese Language and Culture The program includes an intensive course in Japanese language, fieldtrips and participation in local cultural events. This program can accommodate students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. |
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| Courses | The academic program begins with the on-site orientation and language placement test. All students are required to take the Intensive Japanese Language (3 K-units) and Japanese Culture and Society (1 K-unit). In order to earn 3 K-units in Japanese language, students must receive 10 semester credits. Students also receive 1 K-unit for another JCMU course of their choice. Students complete an Integrative Cultural Research Project to earn their 6th unit of credit. Cultures Credit: The following courses have been approved as fulfilling the "cultures" requirement: Japanese Culture and Society (SOC SCI), Please see the Study Abroad Handbook regarding instructions for petitioning for "cultures" credit for other courses. |
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| Credits | Students must enroll in the equivalent of 6 K-Units of credit for the Long-Term program. Students may not underload or overload. To receive Kalamazoo credit, courses must be within the liberal arts tradition. It is the student's responsibility to consult with his/her academic advisor concerning course selection. In order to be counted as one K-Unit of credit, a course must have 40-45 contact hours or 3 semester credits. No partial credit will be awarded. In cases where students must combine courses to achieve the minimum number of contact hours for a unit of credit, both courses must be from the same discipline, e.g. history with history or art with art. Grades from all study abroad courses will appear on the Kalamazoo transcript but are not included in the Kalamazoo grade point average. The transcript will list the title of the course, the appropriate discipline, and a translation of the local grade into the Kalamazoo "A, B, C" grading system. Students must earn the equivalent of a "C" in the local grading system to receive credit for course work completed abroad. Consult the Study Abroad Handbook and the College catalogue for additional information. All course work must be completed and turned in before the end of the academic program or no credit will be given. Attendance at all classes is mandatory. |
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| ICRP/Field Study | The Integrative Cultural Research Project can be either a research project or an unpaid internship that explores global issues and the local circumstances, approaches and solutions, while enhancing students' local language skills. Internship placements are typically with relief organizations, international agencies, women's groups, small businesses or Non-Governmental Organizations. The program staff assists students with project design and internship placement. All ICRPs are conducted in the Hikone area. The research or internship will result in a major paper (10-15 pages). The paper is due and must be turned in to the instructor or Resident Director before the end of the academic program or no credit will be awarded. |
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| Housing | Students may choose to live in homestays with Japanese families or share an apartment with another student from the program. Note that homestays may carry an additional cost to the participant. | |
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| Co-Curricular Opportunities | The Japan Center has its own basketball courts, as well as a weight room. Water sports and activities are also available nearby for an additional cost. In addition, Japan Center students are also involved with sports activities in the city of Hikone and the Shiga prefecture. The Center is also the focal point for many cultural activities. Intiated in 1968, the Michigan-Shiga sister-state relationship includes goodwill missions, teacher and student exchanges, and JCMU among its activities. |
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| Excursions | |
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| URL of Host Institution | |
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| Comprehensive Program Fee | |
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| Program Fee | $22,646 |
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| Comprehensive fee includes | tuition and fees, food and housing while classes are in session, round-trip international airfare from the designated point of departure and some excursions. Because this is not a Kalamazoo College program, the sponsor provides information on expenses to the CIP. The latest information provided indicates that the total cost of the program is as stated. This figure must be regarded as an estimate of total program charges. Any changes in these charges, whether due to fluctuation in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the foreign currency, or for any other reason are beyond the control of Kalamazoo College. A participant could, therefore pay more than the estimated costs indicated. In no instance will the participant in this program pay less than the fee assessed in Kalamazoo College programs. 2006-07 fees will be announced in February 2006. Scholarships: Bridging Scholarships and Freeman Asia scholarships are among the many opportunities for students to offset the high cost of living in Japan. See the scholarships binder in the CIP Resource Room or Jennifer White-Reding for more details. |
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| Not included | books, medical expenses, personal spending money, food or housing during vacation periods or after classes have ended, and independent travel. |
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This document contains the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Statements contained herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other representations that are inconsistent with or not contained within the Academic Catalogue's offerings or policies are not binding. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International Programs each reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or change, without specific notice, programs, offerings, policies, procedures, qualifications, fees, and other conditions.
