Willamette University

International Education

Kawagoe, Japan

Overview

This program grew out of a special sister school relationship between Willamette University and Tokyo International University. Students study at TIU's Japan Studies Program (JSP). The optional Kyoto/Hiroshima Excursion is included for Willamette students. Watch this video (141 MB, 14 minutes) to learn more about the program through JSP 2006-2007 alumna Becca Scofield. 

Academics

This program is available to students with any level of Japanese language abilities. Beginning to Advanced Japanese classes are taught at JSP.While at the JSP, students study Japanese language and may choose from classes in Japanese art, culture, politics, history, and economics taught in English to complement Japanese language classes. Students with advanced levels of Japanese language may also enroll in TIU coursework while on the JSP. Please contact an advisor for further information. At the JSP class sizes are small to assure individual attention. Read about the courses on the JSP website. All students (including low-level students) must take a Japanese course the semester prior to studying abroad. Please have a Language Assessment completed as part of your WU application if you have received any Japanese language instruction.

Housing

Students live with host families in Kawagoe where they eat breakfast, dinner and all weekend meals. ATTENTION YEAR LONG JSP PARTICIPANTS:  housing and meals are not provided during the break period between Fall and Spring semester. You must make alternative housing arrangements for the time between Fall and Spring semester.

Dates

The JSP program is available during either fall semester, spring semester or the full academic year. The fall semester starts late August and ends mid December; spring semester starts in early April and ends in late July.

Cost

Please see the Willamette Sponsored Programs Cost Matrix for detailed explanation of the cost of each program.

Other Information

The Japanese Consular Office in New York allocates one or two full academic year JASSO scholarships to Willamette University each year. Eligible Willamette students are nominated by the Japanese Department for the scholarship. Learn more about this scholarship. JASSO recipients are exempt from the $200 stipend.

Salem, Oregon and Kawagoe, Japan are sister cities.

Pre-departure Resources