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• Program Information
• Application Information
• Financial Information
• Contact Information

Study Site

Participants will study at Shitennoji University in Osaka, Japan. Shitennooji is a private, liberal arts college located in the city of Habikino, with a population of 120,000 in the scenic southeast of Osaka. Kyoto, the ancient capitol of Japan is within an hour and a half via train.

Curriculum

Students will take courses at Shitennoji University in Japan.  The curriculum consists of 5 weeks of intensive study of Japanese language and culture. Language courses are offered at all levels. Students are in class 15- 20 hours a week. Courses in spoken and written Japanese are offered. In addition, the program includes a variety of cultural events, such as an introduction to the tea ceremony, flower arrangement and calligraphy. Communication and activities with local students will be arranged.

Credit

Students may earn up to 8 hours of University of Utah credit in Japanese. Courses may be taken for a grade, credit/no credit, or audit. Students who have completed one year of college Japanese can complete the B.A. language requirement on the Shitenoonji program. Specific credit is arranged with the program director before departure. Successful completion of the program fulfills the University of Utah International Requirement.

Program Director

Shoji Azuma, Professor in the Department of Languages and Literature at the University of Utah, is the program director in Japan. Professor Azuma has directed the study abroad program in Japan for several years. Daily course work is supervised by Japanese instructors.

Accomodation

Participants live either in a shared student dormitory on the campus of Shitennoji University or with a Japanese host family.

Tentative Itinerary

Excursions

Optional excursions to important cultural sites in Japan are available at an additional cost. Students who travel outside the program will do so at their own expense. The program director will be available to advise students on independent travel arrangements and historic and cultural sties to visit.

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• Minimum age of 18.
• No previous Japanese experience required.

Application Deadline

February 20, 2009. Late applications will be accepted with an additional nonrefundable $50 fee for 30 days after the initial deadline, or until program is full.

Application Process

• Students must submit a complete application, including a personal statement, one reference form, and a photocopy of the identification page of their passport. Applications are available in the Study Abroad Office and online.
• The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented or mailed to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building.  (Please be sure to include your U of U ID number).  The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application "Paid."  Return the application materials to the Study Abroad Office.  All applications will be reviewed by the program director and the Study Abroad Officestaff to determine eligibility.  Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program. Non U of U students should submit their initial program payment directly to the Study Abroad Office.
• Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
• If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
• U of U students, students at other colleges or universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
• Questions about the application process?  Contact theStudy Abroad Office.

Pre-departure Orientation

Participants must attend pre-departure orientations held to provide program and cultural information.  Participants will be contacted when these are arranged. At these meetings you will receive course information and travel details, as well as meet others in the group.

Program Cost

Includes:Tuition, shared room, airport transfers, welcome and farewell socials, and international health insurance.

Does Not Include:Airfare, passport, books, meals, personal expenses, local transportation, optional excursions, and independent travel.

Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

$300 plus any unrecoverable costs to the Study Abroad Office at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is determined ineligible to participate, the $500 deposit will be refunded in full.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Most financial aid (student loans, grants, etc.) can be applied to the program cost.  For U of U students, there are also Study Abroad Scholarships available.  See the Study Abroad Office for more information.

Download this information

Pre-Departure Handbook: The Study Abroad Office would like you to have a safe and healthy experience abroad.  Therefore, we are asking that you read carefully the Pre-Departure Handbook then sign and return the required documents (at the end of the handbook) to the Study Abroad Office:

200 S. Central Campus Drive
Union 159
Salt Lake City UT 84112
FAX: 801-581-5914

This information is available for printout in a brochure form.  If you would like to download (pdf/Adobe Acrobat) a copy, please click here.