Tokyo International University

Since its founding, Tokyo International University (TIU) has always emphasized international studies and exchange in order to produce truly internationally-minded students or "Global citizens." TIU is composed of four schools and has approximately 6,500 students. It has two campuses in Kawagoe City (35 minutes by train from Tokyo), located within walking distance of each other. Due to the convenient location of the University, students can enjoy visits to the City of Tokyo, or the atmosphere of a large forested park, all within close proximity to the university. Foreign students have been coming to TIU in order to learn about the Japanese culture and language since 1973.

Japan Study Goals

Tokyo International University founded the Japan Studies Program as a way to meet the growing demand from foreign university students to learn more about Japan and its language. The program focuses on three major goals:

An acquisition of Japanese language proficiency both in and out of the classroom
An understanding of historic, social, political, economic and cultural aspects of Japan through course work and field trips
Active intercultural exchange through first-hand experiences with faculty, students, host families and others in the local community

It is a one-, to two-semester, study abroad program open to English speaking students in all fields of study from accredited universities and colleges around the world. In addition to the required Japanese language course(s), students are offered several courses taught in English as well as many field trips, excursions and cultural activities. No previous Japanese language study is required.

Homestay

While studying at TIU, students live with a Japanese host family. This unique living arrangement enables students to experience a typical Japanese family daily life, while providing an opportunity to greatly improve language skills. Many students regard the host family experience as one of their most enriching and fruitful experiences in Japan, as it provides valuable insight into the life and culture of Japan.

Homestay families are recruited from the local community and surrounding areas. A big factor when selecting families is location. Most are located within Kawagoe and require only a short train or bus ride (some families are so close students can walk to school.) Many families have hosted numerous students over the years and enjoy ongoing relationships.

All families are screened carefully, which includes a visit to the home and interview. Students are matched with families. Information received from students is given to each family before they arrive, and a profile of the family, including a letter to the student, is sent to each participant before they arrive in Japan.

Homestay families are required to provide a private room for their student with basic furnishings; a bed or futon, a quiet place to study, closet or dresser to store clothing etc. and a heater or air conditioner to control the temperature. Of course students can use facilities in the home such as the television, washing machine, bath etc., but will need to follow their homestay instructions for their use. Families provide 16 meals per week; breakfast and dinner on weekdays and three meals a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Even though living with a Japanese host family is strongly recommended in order to improve language skills and provide opportunities to learn about the culture which otherwise would not be accessible, students may be allowed to find their own accommodations if they wish. Students will need to inform EduServe immediately following their acceptance into the program if they do not wish to be placed in a homestay. In such cases costs for room and board will be reimbursed to the student and/or applied to other accommodations.

Peer Assistants

Japanese Peer Assistants are one of the main links between students and their new environment both on and off campus. Peer Assistants (PAs), hired TIU students, help give students the information and recourses needed to interact with Japanese students, explore the local community and the Tokyo metropolitan area, understand many aspects of the Japanese way of life and learn the Japanese language. Guaranteed to become close friends of students, PAs can truly give students the assistance needed to function independently in their new surroundings.

Optional Trips

Peer Assistants offer many additional chances to socialize and see new things. PAs are not only the main force in orientating students upon arrival, they also plan many optional trips and activities in the evenings and on weekends throughout the semester for those who are looking for something to do. Often impromptu, students will never be bored with the PAs introducing different things to do such as trips to local events and activities, day trips to places like YOKOHAMA or Mt. FUJI, or just a night on the town ending with KARAOKE. Other Japanese students are encouraged to join too, making all activities opportunities to make new friends and speak Japanese.

Conversation Times

In order to give students additional opportunities to interact with TIU students, Conversation Times are scheduled each semester on both First and Second campuses to promote interaction. TIU students who attend the Conversation Times sign in, giving their email addresses and receive a list of the students' email addresses so the students can remain in contact.

The Conversation Times, although only a one time occurrence each semester on both campuses, are effective in breaking the ice and giving students the opportunity to meet each other and begin friendships. In the past, after Conversation Times, TIU students have met study abroad students for lunch, invited them to a parties, taken them on day-trips and introduced them to many of their friends. It is a great additional opportunity for study abroad students to get involved with the campus community, make friends, and speak Japanese.

Clubs

The heart of student life in Japan centers around club activities. Because of this, students are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more of the numerous student clubs offered at TIU in order to become part of the life of the university. Study abroad students can quickly make many new friends, participate in many university activities, learn a new skill, get some exercise, and of course improve their Japanese skills just by joining a club.

TIU CLUBS

Archery, Art, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Body Building, Bowling, Boxing, Brass Band, Cheerleading, Computer, Culture, Fencing, Football, Golf, Guitar, Jazz Band, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Movie, Outdoor, Photography, Rock Band, Roller Skating, Rugby, Running, Scuba Diving, Shorinji Kempo, Skiing, Soccer, Soft Ball, Swimming, Taido, Tea Ceremony, Tennis, Table Tennis, Travel, Volunteering, Weight Lifting.

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Kawagoe

Tokyo International University is located in the historic city of Kawagoe, situated in Saitama Prefecture some 25 miles northwest of central Tokyo. Kawagoe is one of the historic castle towns in the Kanto region. Being blessed with an abundance of resources, it has played an important role geographically, economically and politically since the Tokugawa era.

Though a thriving modern city today, Kawagoe, nicknamed "Little Edo," still has vestiges of its old castle town in the Kurazukuri district where more than thirty of the large Kurazukuri, ancient shop-residences, still retain much of the old Edo atmosphere. One should also visit Kitain Temple, Hon-maru-goten (the only remaining building of the Kawagoe Castle), and the city's symbolic "Bell Tower".

The Kawagoe Festival, dating from 1648, is held annually in the middle of October to entertain Kawagoe residents and throngs of tourists. It features townspeople dressed in colorful, traditional festival costumes pulling ancient festival floats through the neighborhoods of old Kawagoe. Musicians and dancers perform on each of the heavily decorative wooden carved floats topped with ancient dolls. Of course, each year students join these local festivities.

With a current population of over 320,000, small sized intensive farming, distribution business, traditional commerce and industry, and tourism all contribute to the development of this satellite city and empower it's urban functions. Though a rather large city, many praise Kawagoe's atmosphere of both a large city as well as the beautiful surroundings of a small town. Its location makes the center of Tokyo very accessible.

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Cultural Field Trips

The academic experience at TIU will be challenging, but it will also be balanced by a wide range of cultural field trips to foster a deeper understanding of Japan. These activities are designed to give students the opportunity to experience firsthand as many different aspects of the Japanese way of life as possible. All of these excursions are offered to participants at no additional cost.

SPRING

HISTORIC KO-EDO Tour - The historic "Ko-Edo" part of Kawagoe gives students an understanding of what Japan was like 100 years ago.

Tokyo Train Tour - Peer Assistants take students on this tour, showing some highlights of the metropolis while teaching how to use the complex train system.

Visit to SUMO BEYA - Seeing SUMO wrestlers in their BEYA (traditional gym) gives students a close-up look into this ancient sport.

KABUKI Theater - Everyone who comes to Japan should see this dramatic theatrical art. Not only the acting and costumes, but the music and singing are spectacular.

UCHIWA and UME HANAMI - Japanese fans made from bamboo and paper are UCHIWA. Students design and make these the traditional way. After this, students experience a favorite spring activity in Japan of viewing either plum or cherry blossoms.

HANAMI with Host Families - "Hanami" is a viewing of the spring blossoms while having a picnic under the trees. We will do this with host families at the largest temple in Kawagoe, the KITAIN which has numerous cherry trees.

MEIJI or HONDA Factory Tour - Students will get a chance to view the inner workings of either the MEIJI I Chocolate or HONDA Motors factory.

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Eligibility

The EduServe/GlobaLearn Japan Program is a one or two semester study abroad program offering undergraduate college credit. It is open to English speaking students in all fields of study at accredited universities and colleges.

To be eligible for this Japan Program, you must ...

Currently be enrolled in a university as an undergraduate student (and/or WILL BE enrolled at a university at the time of participation in the program). High school students are NOT eligible.
Have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. (grade point average) based on a 4.0 point grading system and full-time student status. Students from institutions which use different grading systems must have maintained a minimum grade average of at least 75%. Official transcripts must accompany your application.
Be a native English speaker or have a TOEFL* score of at least 450.
* (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) score sheet must be submitted by non-native English speakers before they can be accepted

Previous Japanese language study is not required!

For Tokyo IU Semester and Academic Year, please contact us.

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Eligibility: College (or entering college) students with minimum 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale). No Japanese language requirement. Must be a native English speaker or have a TOEFL score of at least 450. Must be at least 18 years of age and an undergraduate college student.

Levels of Instruction:
elementary, intermediate, through advanced levels, plus regular courses conducted in Japanese language in diverse subjects.

Duration: one-half year, "Summer" (April - September) and "Winter" (October - February).

Languages of Instruction:
most courses are conducted in Japanese.

Program Fee Includes: tuition, transcript, housing in student residence, most meals, insurances, International Student Identity Card, advisement, orientation. Student supplies transport.

Program Fee Does Not Include:
items subject to personal preference and interest, such as baggage insurance, in-city transportation, entertainment, restaurants, museums, laundry, personal shopping, round-trip airfare at participant's convenience.

Program Fee: Inquire for program cost plus airfare. (Due to some currency fluctuations and other academic, cultural, and/or political etc. matters beyond its control, EduServe/GlobaLearn Programs reserve the right to modify the above fee if any such changes in normally anticipated constant conditions occur prior to departure from The USA.)

Application Deadlines: September 30 for Spring/Summer Semester. April 1 for Winter Semester. Apply as early as possible for guaranteed space. Any 2 or more sessions can be combined.

Registration Deadlines: November 30 for Spring/Summer Semester. May 1 for Winter Semester. A nonrefundable deposit of $500 is required upon registration. Balance is required one month prior to departure. Apply and register early for guaranteed space.
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