Overview

Kawagoe is a Japanese city northwest of Tokyo. An Edo-period castle town, it’s known for its old clay warehouses and merchant homes, called Kurazukuri. 

 

Tokyo International University (TIU), founded in 1965, is an international learning community located in Kawagoe, a sister city to Salem, Oregon.  Of the 7,000 students on campus approximately 1,200 are international students from over 60 countries. Two unique study abroad programs grew out of a special sister school relationship between Willamette University and Tokyo International University (TIU): Japan Studies Program (JSP) and English Track (E-Track) direct-enroll. Minimum GPA required by host program: 2.5 GPA (J-track). E-Track admission is based on WU approval, but the higher your GPA, the higher your chance of acceptance.

Japan Studies Program

JSP Academics

JSP focuses on language and culture and is available to students with any level of Japanese language ability.  Students take intensive Japanese language classes – three hours per day, four days a week. JSP provides beginning to advanced Japanese language.  Students are placed in one of eight levels according to a thorough evaluation process. Elective culture courses taught in English vary each semester so students will need to consult the elective course schedule.  Recent courses include Japanese Religions, Media and Society in Japan, and Historical Origins of Modern Japan. JSP students can also select classes from E-Track curriculum with guidance from their advisor. A Kyoto excursion is included in the program for JSP students. Check out this student blog to see photos and stories from past JSP participants.

Note for applicants: All Japanese Studies majors or Japanese language minors (including beginning 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.

J-Track: Students with fluency in Japanese language ability may be considered for direct enrollment into TIU Japanese-Track (J-Track) coursework. Students are placed in a seminar class based on their major and registered for 2-3 other courses taught in Japanese. Academic departments include Economics, Language Communication, Human and Social Sciences, and International Relations.  Eligibility for this application is determined in consultation with Willamette Japanese and Chinese Department, Tokyo International University faculty and administration, and the Office of International Education. If you are interested in J-Track, speak with an OIE advisor.

 

JSP Housing

To deepen understanding of Japan, JSP students live with host families in Kawagoe where they eat breakfast, dinner and all weekend meals.  Students will purchase lunch on campus. Families live in many different neighborhoods.  Students may walk, bike or take the train to campus. 

 

JSP Dates

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

ATTENTION YEAR LONG APPLICANTS: If you apply for Fall and Spring, housing is not provided during the break (mid-December-early April) between semesters. You must make alternative housing and food arrangements, at your own cost, for the time between Fall and Spring semesters. Planning ahead will be critical for students considering an academic year. Talk to an OIE advisor about this option.  

 

English Track

E-Track Academics

E-Track is available to Willamette students who are interested in a direct enroll experience with students from more than 60 countries. Students choose from courses in the E-Track departments of International Relations, Economics, or General Studies. Recent courses include Sustainable Society, Introduction to International Relations, Microeconomics, and Media and Society in Japan.  E-track course descriptions are available on the TIU E-track Academics page.  This list of courses can be used as a guide; some courses will not be available for WU students.  Japanese language experience is not required.

 

E-Track Housing

E-Track students live in campus residence halls with other E-track students. Most students live in shared, furnished rooms. Students purchase their own food in nearby shops or restaurants.

 

E-Track Dates

The E-Track is available during fall semester, spring semester, or the academic year. The fall semester starts late August and ends mid-December; spring semester starts in early April and ends in late July. 

ATTENTION YEAR LONG APPLICANTS: If you apply for Fall and Spring, housing is not provided during the break (mid-December-early April) between semesters. You must make alternative housing and food arrangements, at your own cost, for the time between Fall and Spring semesters. Planning ahead will be critical for students considering an academic year. Talk to an OIE advisor about this option.  

 

JSP and E-Track Cost

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


Scholarships for study in Japan

Marybeth Fossati Japanese Studies Scholarship: Marybeth Fossati ('76) participated in the first study abroad program at Tokyo International University (then known as International College of Commerce and Economics) in 1973. Living in nearby accommodation, she and twenty-four other students traveled to class by bike or train, studying economics, history, Japanese language and culture. Ms Fossati found Japanese people to be kind, friendly and helpful, and she was inspired by the Japanese reverence for nature. With this scholarship Ms Fossati hopes to encourage Willamette students to study abroad in Japan and experience cultural difference. Scholarship awards range from $250-$1000. Eligible students must be participating in a WU Sponsored Study Abroad program at TIU in Japan. Semester and year program participants are eligible. Financial need may be considered, but it is not a requirement. Students accepted into TIU programs will get application information from OIE. 

Freeman-ASIA award:  Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Semester awards are up to $5,000 and academic year awards are up to $7,000.

Bridging Scholarship: Scholarships for students going to Japan from the Association of Teachers of Japanese. Award cycles for fall and spring programs. Scholarships range from $2,500 (for a semester program) to $4,000 (year-long programs).

JASSO: This scholarship is allocated for students studying at specific Japanese universities on a yearly basis. It is available for Willamette students going on the JSP program on an very infrequent basis. More information is available on the JASSO website. Ask an OIE advisor for more details about this scholarship's availability.

See the OIE scholarship page for other grants and scholarships available for study abroad.

 

Pre-departure Resources

Willamette University

Office of International Education

Address
Global Learning Center
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-375-5493

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