Kansai Gaidai Spring 2019
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EAU CLAIRE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Study Abroad KANSAI GAIDAI SPRING 2019 Program Guide Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) TABLE OF CONTENTS Scholarship ..........................................................7 Bridging Scholarships ........................................8 General Information ............................................... 2 Freeman-Asia Scholarship .................................8 The Program ....................................................... 2 Health & Safety ......................................................8 The Location ....................................................... 2 Before You Go .....................................................8 The University ..................................................... 2 Restrictions on Medications in Japan ..............9 Academic Calendar ............................................ 2 Campus Medical Facilities .................................9 Academics ............................................................... 3 Mental Health Resources ..................................9 Program Acceptance ......................................... 3 Emergency Contacts ........................................10 Pre-departure Academic Planning ................... 3 Safety in Japan ..................................................10 Course Equivalencies ......................................... 3 Required Documents ...........................................10 Japanese Language Class .................................. 4 General Information on Visas .........................10 Asian Studies Courses........................................ 4 Visa for Japan ....................................................10 Studio Art Courses ............................................. 4 Packing Tips ..........................................................11 Registration at Kansai Gaidai ............................ 4 Weather/Clothing .............................................11 Credits and Course Load ................................... 5 What to Pack .....................................................11 Grades .................................................................. 5 Appliances .........................................................11 Transcripts ........................................................... 5 Gift Suggestions ...............................................11 Money Matters ....................................................... 5 Arriving In Japan ...................................................12 Exchange Explanation ........................................ 5 Travel Arrangements ........................................12 Cost Estimate ...................................................... 6 Immigration/Customs ......................................12 Paying for Meals ................................................. 6 Getting to Campus ...........................................12 Personal Travel ................................................... 6 Making Your Own Arrival Arrangements ......13 Currency Exchange ............................................. 6 Orientation ........................................................13 Opening a Bank Account .................................. 6 Community Involvement .....................................13 Money in Japan .................................................. 6 Getting Involved in Japan ................................13 Cash...................................................................... 6 Housing .................................................................14 Traveler’s Checks ................................................ 6 Housing over Break ..........................................14 Credit Cards ........................................................ 7 Dormitory ..........................................................14 Debit Cards ......................................................... 7 Homestay ..........................................................15 Scholarships ............................................................ 7 Homestay Bathroom ........................................ 16 Web Resources: Japan .........................................27 Laundry .............................................................. 16 Past Participant Tips .............................................28 Shopping ........................................................... 17 What they Wish They Had Known: .....................28 Food ....................................................................... 17 They’re Safety Tips: ..............................................28 Meals and Table Manners ............................... 17 How they Summed It Up: ....................................28 Communication .................................................... 18 Mailing Address in Japan ................................ 18 Time Difference ................................................ 18 Telephone ......................................................... 18 Cell Phones........................................................ 18 Internet and E-mail .......................................... 19 Language ........................................................... 19 Cultural Notes ....................................................... 20 A Brief History of Japan ................................... 20 Geography......................................................... 21 Weather ............................................................. 21 People ................................................................ 21 Religion .............................................................. 21 Cultural Concepts ............................................. 22 Government ...................................................... 22 Customs and Etiquette .................................... 22 Travel While Abroad ............................................ 23 Travel through Kansai Gaidai .......................... 23 Tourist Information .......................................... 24 Japan Travel Phone .......................................... 24 Train Travel ........................................................ 24 Tickets ................................................................ 24 Buses .................................................................. 25 Air Travel ........................................................... 25 Where to Stay ................................................... 25 Contact Names & Addresses .............................. 26 CONGRATULATIONS on being conditionally accepted to the UW-Eau Claire exchange with Kansai Gaidai University. Living and studying in a foreign culture is both an exciting and a challenging experience. Past participants of study abroad report that the many advantages of international study include: Building upon existing foreign language skills Gaining new perspectives on a chosen academic field Increasing understanding of different cultures Getting to know oneself Developing different perspectives on U.S. culture Gaining self-confidence and independence Learning skills for the future international job market It is up to you to determine how you can best benefit from these possible advantages. This is your experience! This program guide is to be used together with the on-line general Study Abroad Handbook. The handbook has information that is valid for all study abroad programs. This guide will provide you with specific information for the Kansai Gaidai exchange program. It is designed to complement the handbook, study abroad orientation, and your individual pre-departure preparations. Please realize that although this guide was written to help you better prepare for your time abroad, and that all of the information available at the time of publishing has been used, it is impossible for one resource to answer all of your questions. Your peer adviser will e-mail additional information throughout the semester. We also strongly encourage you to contact the study abroad staff, your peer adviser, past program participants, and Japanese students on campus with your specific questions. You should also make use of the additional written and web resources listed towards the end of this guide. Basic questions only you can answer include: 1) What are YOUR goals for this experience? Common goals of student studying abroad include: advancement in future profession, desire to expand personal and academic horizons, need for a change, and a wish to challenge oneself with immersion in a new culture. 2) Given the way the program is set up, how can you best prepare to meet your goals? For example, if one of your goals is truly being immersed in Japanese culture, yet you are going to be with a group of international students, how can you ensure that you do not spend too much time with other U.S. Americans or international students? The information in this guide was current at the time of printing, though changes may occur at any time. 1 ENERAL NFORMATION G I Academic Calendar The Program These dates are estimated at the time of Kansai Gaidai University and UW-Eau Claire publishing and will be confirmed upon have had a long-standing partnership since acceptance by Kansai later in the fall 1979. Between both universities, more than semester. Please do not book airfare until 650 students have participated in the you have received confirmation. exchange program and more than 11 faculty members have gone to Kansai Arrival Dates* January 16-17 (which Gaidai to teach or conduct research. In this