Study Japan Program (SJP)

 

The Study Japan Program for 2010–11

    The Study Japan Program (SJP) is a Japanese language and culture program for foreign students. Program participants will gain fluency in spoken and written Japanese through active participation in the language classes, and also a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society through workshops and lectures.

    As part of SIU´s educational objective, founded on the “the belief that it is necessary to cultivate one to one relations in order to develop an international society”, SJP participants are encouraged to actively contribute to Internationalization in the community outside the university. Throughout the SJP term we hope the students will take advantage of the various chances to participate in SIU sponsored international exchange activities, community based events, and hands–on learning experiences.

   Tea ceremony

Calligraphy

Visit Seki old town along old Toakaido road.

Seki old town along Tokaido old road

calligraphers

Kimono

SJP Entrance ceremony

SJP Orientation

Japanese culture workshop (How to bow)

International Exchange Center

Global Study Program (Kindergarten)

An apartment house

SJP Sayonara party

S.I.U. campus
1. Program Capacity: About 10 students per class

2. Program Length:     Maximum 8 months, from late September to end of January for part 1, and from April to end of July for part 2. Students may choose to do only part 1 if they wish. In either case students receive a one–year student visa. In addition, it is possible to extend the study period after completing part 2 by staying on as a “research student”.

3. Program Application Requirements:
  1. Applicants must be presently registered in a university or college program or have graduated from at least a 2–year college program.
  2. Applicants must understand explanations and documents in English or Japanese.
  3. Applicants must have achieved an intermediate level of Japanese (roughly level 2 of the Japanese Proficiency Exam or equivalent).

    Completed Study Hours 600 hours or more
    Vocabulary about 6000 words
    Kanji Knowledge about 1000 characters
4. Application Procedures:
  1. Complete the SJP application form.
  2. Attach university transcripts and/or a copy of your university degree certificate.
  3. Provide a copy of your passport identity page. Applicants already resident in Japan are required to also provide a copy of their current visa and foreign registration card.
  4. Include a recommendation letter (current or previous Japanese language teacher, academic advisor, workplace senior)
  5. Please explain, in Japanese, your reasons for studying in the SJP.
5. Program Application Deadline:   June 18, 2010

   Please be sure to send all of the application materials to the International Exchange Center at Suzuka International University. If you send a fax copy of application materials, be sure to mail the originals as well. Applicants to the Study Japan Program will be notified of their application status by E–mail by Wednesday, June 30. In addition, written notification will be sent to successful applicants by regular mail.

Suzuka International University – International Exchange Center
663–222 Koriyama–cho, Suzuka
Mie, Japan
510–0298

Tel (from overseas): 81–59–372–3921
Fax (from overseas): 81–59–372–3935
Tel (domestic): 059–372–3921
Fax (domestic): 059–372–3935
For any further questions about the application procedure please contact us at


6. Important Program Dates for 2010–2011:
September 13 – 16 move into apartments
September 17 Japanese assessment test
September 21 orientation
September 23 start of classes
December 25 – January 4 winter vacation
January 18 end of classes
January 24 – 28 final examination
January 28 (tentative) SJP commencement ceremony
April 1 (tentative) Japanese assessment test for SJP part 2
April 4 (tentative) start of classes for SJP part 2
July 21 (tentative) end of classes for SJP part 2
July 25 – 29 (tentative) final examination
July 29 (tentative) SJP commencement ceremony
August 10 (tentative) last day to vacate apartments

7. Program Hours (part 1):
SJP Japanese language classes: 6 classes (9 hours / week) x 15 weeks
Minimum 3 classes from the SIU calendar (non–SJP classes): 3 classes (4.5 hours / week) x 15 weeks
These classes can be additional Japanese
language classes for foreign students. It is
also possible to take more than 3 classes.
Lecture on Japan and International Society (conducted in English): 1 class (1.5 hours / week) x 15 weeks
Field study / workshop on Japanese Culture and Society*: 4 hours x 6 weeks (every other week)
Total : minimum 249 hours

*Possible Cultural workshops and Excursions
  1. Visit to historical town of Seki–cho on the Tokaido
  2. Kimono culture lecture and demonstration
  3. Japanese calligraphy
  4. Tea ceremony
  5. Japanese cooking
  6. Visit to Tsubaki Shrine
  7. Visit to Japanese temple to practice zazen
  8. Visit to Honda Suzuka factory

  Program Hours (part 2):
SJP Japanese language classes: 3 classes (4.5 hours / week) x 15 weeks
Minimum 5 classes from the SIU calendar (non–SJP classes): 5 classes (7.5 hours / week) x 15 weeks
These classes can be additional Japanese
language classes for foreign students. It is
also possible to take more than 5 classes.
Total : minimum 180 hours
8. Support:

   Time spent at SIU should be worry free, allowing students to concentrate on their studies. Therefore each SJP participant is assigned a faculty advisor who can offer advice regarding academic issues. The office staff of the International Exchange Center is available from 9 am to 5:15 pm, Monday – Friday, and will provide assistance in the case of any other concern. Participants are also assigned a mailbox in the International Exchange Center and should check it regularly for notices concerning the program and outside activities. If a participant requires help outside of office hours, including weekends, International Exchange Center staff can be reached by phone.
9. International Exchange Community Outreach:

   All foreign students at SIU are welcome to join the Global Studies Program. Under this program students visit schools, from kindergarten to senior secondary, or community centers in the Suzuka area to speak about or demonstrate their own culture. This is a good opportunity to meet citizens of Suzuka. Participants receive an honorarium from the university.

   The Daigakusai (University Festival) in late October and the International Festival also offer plenty of fun opportunities for SJP participants to meet and exchange ideas with Mie prefecture’s citizens. Students in the past have set up information tables about their own countries, performed on stage with student clubs, and helped with food stalls. These are exciting ways to become an active member of the university community.
10. Accommodation:

    SIU will prepare furnished apartments for participants conveniently located near the university and shopping. (See 13 for payment information.)

     Before entering an apartment, each participant is also required to sign a rental agreement with SIU, which stipulates that rules, set by the university, will be abided.  Failure to honour the agreement can lead to eviction.
11. Home Stay Visit:

    SJP participants may wish to experience a home stay or weekend home visit to deepen their knowledge of life in Japan.  Those who wish to do so should make a request through the International Exchange Center.
12. University Facilities and Club Activities:

    SJP participants may use all facilities open to regular students. These facilities include use of the library, gymnasium, physical training room, computer and language laboratories, cafeteria and clubrooms. Students are also encouraged to join club activities. There is something to satisfy almost any interest.
13. Tuition and Other Expenses:
  1. Tuition is 250000 yen/term and is to be paid in one payment.
  2. Apartment rent about 30000 to 40000 yen/month has to be paid to the university every month. This does not include gas/water/electricity. Total for utility bills is about 6000 to 15000 yen/month. A futon set lease price is 7665 yen/year.
  3. 950 yen/year is required for student accident insurance.
  4. SJP participants register for Japanese National Health Insurance. For those already living in Japan the fee varies depending on the previous year´s income. For those coming directly from overseas the fee will be roughly 2000 yen/month.
  All payments made within Japan should be sent to the following university bank account.
  • The Daisan Bank Ltd. Chisato branch
  • Ordinary account: No. 667969
  • Beneficiary: Kyoeigakuen Suzuka International University
All payments made from outside Japan should be sent to the following university bank account.
Bank Name:
 The Hyakugo Bank
Branch:
 Suzuka Branch
Branch number:
 301
Bank address:
 4–138 Nishijo, Suzuka–shi, Mie 513–8691, Japan
Account name:
 School Corporation Kyoeigakuen
Suzuka International University
Account number:
 374182
Account holder (SIU)
mailing address:
 663–222 Koriyama–cho, Suzuka, Mie 510–0298 Japan
Bank ABA Number / Sort code:
 0155
BIC / SWIFT Address:
 HYKGJPJT

14. Study Extension:

   SJP students who would like to extend their studies at SIU after completion of the program can apply for research student status and continue taking classes in the regular program. For further information please contact the International Exchange Center.


Contact Information:
Suzuka International University – International Exchange Center
663–222 Koriyama, Suzuka
Mie Prefecture, Japan
510–0298

TEL: +81–59–372–3921
FAX: +81–59–372–3935
E–mail:
Web site: http://www.suzuka–iu.ac.jp/