Study Abroad - 留学

Students posing in traditional Japanese attire

Year and Semester Study Abroad Programs

All students must have their study-abroad plans approved by the Global Engagement Office (GEO), and must observe the Swarthmore College internal application deadlines of January 15 (fall semester) and June 1st (for spring semester). More details about the approval process and timeline can be found in the GEO Office's Step-by-Step study abroad guide. External deadlines, program schedules, and tuition amounts listed below are approximate and are given for planning purposes. Please verify the information on the individual programs' websites. 

Tokyo University USTEP (University-Wide Exchange Program) and PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba)

  • Where: Based at the University of Tokyo's Komaba Campus near Shibuya, Tokyo; students can take classes throughout the University of Tokyo system
  • Who: About 25 international students
  • Housing: Primarily dormitory housing with other international students.
  • When: fall (September to January/March); spring semester only (April to late July) or full year. Option is also available for students who have not yet begun study of Japanese; consult with the Global Engagement Office for details.
  • Special Features:​
    • Exchange relationship with Swarthmore College. Three levels of Japanese instruction from 1st year. Courses include PEAK International Program on Japan in East Asia and International Program on Environmental Studies.
    • International program; location in Tokyo; networking with U. Tokyo-Swarthmore alums.
  • Qualifications: Students should be 3rd or 4th year students recommended by home institution. (No language requirement.)
  • Application deadline: Students interested in applying should speak with the staff at the Global Engagement Office (Cunningham House). Internal deadline for fall semester: January 15; internal deadline for spring semester: June 1st.

Associated Kyoto Program (AKP)

  • Where: Doshisha University in Central Kyoto
  • Who: around 40 American college students, primarily from consortium liberal arts colleges
  • Housing: Homestays with Japanese families
  • When:
    • Fall semester: c. Aug 27 to Dec 15
    • Spring semester: c. Jan 8 to Apr 22
  • Special Features: Five levels of Japanese language instruction from 2nd year up. Elective courses taught by professors of consortium schools. Classmates from peer liberal arts institutions. Location in the heart of Kyoto. Monthly Cultural Activities Grant.
  • Qualifications: Applicants should usually be Sophomores (applying for Junior year), have at least a year of Japanese, and have taken at least one other Japan-related course. They should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative average of “B” or above in their Japanese language courses.
  • Application deadline:
    • Fall and year: c. February 15
    • Spring: c. September 16

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS)

  • Where: Imadegawa campus of Doshisha University, just north of the Imperial Palace in central Kyoto.
  • Who: around 30 students, primarily American undergraduates from consortium schools
  • Housing: Most students in the program stay with host families; a few stay in apartments leased by the program or in residence halls.
  • When:
    • Fall semester: c. August 28 - Dec. 17
    • Spring semester: c. Jan 8 - Apr. 28
  • Special Features: ​
    • Small, intensive language courses. Some courses taught by consortium professors. Classmates from leading U.S. institutions. Location in Kyoto. Community involvement project.
    • Affiliations with Kyoto University and Doshisha University.
  • Qualifications: Open to students of second-year Japanese level and above (2+ for spring semester students). Minimum 3.0 cumulative and language GPA
  • Application deadline:

IES Nagoya

  • Where: Nanzan University's Center for Japanese Studies, outside Nagoya, Japan's 3rd largest city.

  • Who: Primarily American university and college students, joining international students at Nanzan's CJS

  • Housing: Most students stay in homestays, but some stay in private dorms or the Nanzan University International Residence Hall.

  • When:​
    • Fall semester: c. September 3 to December 22
    • Spring semester: c. Jan 6 - May 19
  • Special Features:
    • Intensive Japanese classes. Five levels of Japanese from beginning level. Additional Japanese courses for advanced students.
    • Japanese arts classes (ink painting, ikebana, calligraphy, dance, etc.)
    • Location in central Japan; program features several field trips.
  • Qualifications: 3.0 GPA or better overall, and 3.0 GPA in Japanese courses. Students should be sophomores or above; and should have completed at least one year of Japanese study. Applicants must complete both IES and Nanzan University application forms.
  • Application deadline:
    • Fall/Year: around March 6
    • Spring: around August 1

Summer Programs

Hokkaido International Foundation (HIF)

Location: Hakodate, Hokkaido
Japanese Language Courses: 2nd year and 3rd year (3 levels) Three hours daily instruction w/options for cultural activities.
Length: approximately June 12th through August 10th (9 weeks)
Size of Class: 5-10 students per class
Homestay: Mandatory
Tuition+ Homestay fee: around $7980  *includes homestay fee (accommodations and food), and cost for class material. 
Application Deadline: around February 23rd (JST)

Princeton in Ishikawa (PII)

Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Japanese Language Courses: 2nd year, 2.5 year and 3rd year Japanese. Three hours daily instruction w/ options for cultural activities.
Length: Around May 31st through July 26 (9 weeks)
Size of Enrollment: About 25
Size of Class: 7-10 students per class
Homestay: Mandatory
Tuition+Homestay fee: Around $8320  *includes homestay fee (accommodations and food), and cost for class material.
Application Deadline: Around January 28th (check website for updates)

Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies (KCJS) Summer Program

Location: Doshisha University in Central Kyoto
Classes: 2nd, 3rd, 4th year (and above) Japanese classes. Intensive classes taught by KCJS instructors;enrichment activities in Kyoto. 
Length: c. May 30 - July 26 (9 weeks)
Housing: Homestay, dorm, and shared apartment options
Tuition: Around $7600 including housing 
Application Deadline: Around Feb 3

Nanzan University Summer Program

Location: Nanzan University, Nagoya
Japanese Language Courses: Course A: Levels I-VI (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5) plus conversation practice at "STELLA" lounge, optional courses in Japanese Studies and Japanese arts.
Internship: Course B includes 4-week internship (open to students at 3rd year level and above)
Length: Course A: 8 weeks (c. 5/30~8/2)
                  Course B: 4 weeks + 4-week internship
                  Course C: 4 weeks (7/5~8/2)
Homestay: Homestay and dormitory options available
Tuition: around $7000 including accommodation fee (might be more if applying through CJS)
Application Deadline: c. February 6 (IES); c. April 10  (Nanzan CJS)

Middlebury College

Location: Middlebury VT
Japanese Language Courses: Beginning 1, beginning 2, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, advanced Japanese *Four hours a day in the morning. Options for cultural activities in the afternoon
Length: approximately June 20st  to August 15th (eight weeks)
Size of Enrollment: About 90
Accommodation: Dorm (Japanese only language pledge)
Tuition + Accommodation: around $15,580 (scholarships and need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: First come first served basis

Special full scholarship Opportunity: Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace

Student posing outside of Japanese restaurant

Other Programs of Interest

Japan-America Student Conference

30 day student forum in August
Programs held in Japan and U.S. in alternative years (in U.S. in summer 2026)

Critical Languages Scholarship Program

Fully funded 8 week intensive summer language institute in different locations in Japan. For students with at least two academic years of prior study. Application deadline around Nov. 15.

Concordia Language Village

Summer counselor jobs in “mori no ike” Japanese language village (grades 3-12)

AMGEN Scholars Program

Summer research programs for undergraduates in STEM fields at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. 

WWOOF Japan

Organic farming interships with meals and accommodation 

Scholarship Information

     To consult about Study Abroad and Scholarships, email: Will Gardner, Japanese Section Head. wgardne1@swarthmore.edu

Swarthmore students studying abroad in Japan.

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