Meiji Gakuin University International Student Program (ISP) Program Overview The MGU International Student Program (ISP) provides an opportunity for English-speaking students from our exchange partners to pursue undergraduate studies for a semester or academic year at our Shirokane campus, located in central Tokyo. The aim of this program is to provide a creative academic environment for studies pertaining to Japan and the Japanese language for international students who have studied Japanese for a minimum of one year at the university level. The International Student Program welcomes exchange students from over 20 partner universities located in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. As of July 2013, MGU receives students from the following institutions: University of Manchester, UK Hope College, USA University of East Anglia, UK University of Rochester, USA Oxford Brookes University, UK Washington College, USA Texas State University-San Marcos, USA University of Hamburg, Germany University of Kentucky, USA Maastricht University, Holland Simon Fraser University, Canada Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Aix-en-Provence, France University of Rennes 2, France Monash University, Australia Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Thammasat University, Thailand University of the Philippines, Dilliman, Philippines Yonsei University, Korea Soongsil University, Korea Soochow University, Taiwan University of Seoul, Korea Capital Normal University, China Academic Program The program follows the Japanese academic calendar of two semesters which constitute an academic year. Students may enter the program in either semester. 1) Spring Semester (April to July) 2) Fall Semester (September to February). The International Student Program consists of: 1) A mandatory Intensive Japanese Language course divided into 5 levels (4 credits: classes held four times a week) 2) A selection of elective courses and seminars offered in English by various MGU faculties with a focus on Japanese social and cultural issues (2 credits: classes held once a week) Though registration to the Intensive Japanese Language course is limited to exchange students only, the elective courses offered in English are also open to full time MGU students, allowing for a truly international and integrated academic atmosphere rarely seen in Japanese Universities. Exchange students who have passed Level N1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) are allowed to take all courses offered at MGU upon prior permission from the instructor. Students should be aware that some courses require prerequisites apart from the abovementioned language requirement. ISP students must register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester to maintain their student visa. ISP students are based at our Shirokane campus, and are thus required to take the Intensive Japanese Language course at the said campus. However, they may also register for the University of California-Global Studies courses offered at our Yokohama campus should their daily class schedule allow for the commute between the Shirokane and Yokohama campuses. Program participants should note that the trip between the two campuses roughly takes1 hour. Prior to the start of classes and soon after the students’ arrival, MGU offers a non-credit “Pre-Semester Intensive Japanese Language” course at no extra fee. Students are given a placement test on the first day of the said course, followed by designation of an appropriate language course fitting the students’ linguistic level to prepare for the official Japanese Language course. Program participants are required to respect the outcome of the placement test (and class designation). Arrival Students may enter the program in either semester for one or two semesters. The designated arrival dates (though subject to change at this point in time) are: 1) Spring Semester: March 31, 2014 (official classes to start in early April) 2) Fall Semester: September 1, 2014 (official classes to start in late September) *MGU offers airport pickup services on the abovementioned dates. Further details will be provided to confirmed applicants at a later date. Dormitory MGU maintains an off campus co-ed dormitory located in Okusawa, Tokyo for its ISP participants. Located in a quiet residential district in central Tokyo, with easy access to both the Shirokane (approximately 30 minutes door to door) and Yokohama (approximately 60 minutes door to door) campuses, the dormitory offers an environment fit for academic pursuit. All program participants are required to stay in the Okusawa dormitory. MG Okusawa House offers single occupancy rooms with shared kitchen, shower, bathroom, laundry facilities and lounge area. Rooms come equipped with a desk, chair, closet, bed, linen and internet access. Fees/Costs Tuition: Spring Semester (April - July) -exempt Fall Semester (September - January) -exempt Accommodation: Single Room (Spring Semester) 200,000yen (for those applying for one semester only) Single Room (Spring Semester) 300,000yen (for those applying for two semesters) Single Room (Fall Semester) 250,000yen (for those applying for one semester only) Single Room (Fall Semester) 350,000yen (for those applying for two semesters) Deposit 25,000yen (a one off payment to be returned upon checkout in cash, minus any fees needed for repair/cleaning above those considered normal “wear and tear”) The rent is inclusive of all utility costs (electricity, gas, water, internet), but does not include a meal plan. Students are requested to make use of the shared kitchen to cook their own meals at the dorm. Rent payment for the entire semester must be settled in a lump sum by the designated deadline soon after the students’ arrival to Japan. MGU is not able to accept payment of rent on a monthly basis unless otherwise noted in the exchange agreement. Living costs in Tokyo The following is a very rough breakdown of minimum expenses in Yen for our international students. The estimates quoted below assume a frugal life-style. International travel costs are not included. Students are required to join the National Health Insurance Scheme, as designated by Japanese law, for the duration of their stay in Japan. Application to the said scheme will take place during orientation period. The insurance plan will automatically cover 70% of most all medical expenses. Monthly Living Expenses Dorm Rent/Utility Fee 50,000yen (single occupancy) Food/Allowance 30,000yen (approx. figure) Local Transportation 6,000yen (approx. figure) National Health Insurance 1,400yen (approx. figure) Miscellaneous Textbooks 10,000yen (per semester – approx. figure) Dorm Deposit 25,000yen (one off payment upon arrival) Unless specified in the partnership agreement, incoming students are asked to pay dorm rent for the entire semester (in a lump sum) upon arrival. Details regarding payment will be offered upon arrival. MGU will provide a transportation subsidy of 40,000 yen per semester to its dorm residents to cover transportation costs between the dorm and the Tokyo campus. The dorm deposit will be returned to the students upon checkout, minus all repair costs for any damages above those considered to be “normal wear and tear”. Interested students studying at one of MGU’s partner universities should contact their home institution’s International/Study Abroad Office for further information regarding participation to our program. MGU can only accept applications from officially nominated candidates. .