K-STEP for prospective exchange students
2010年10月13日更新
To respond to the need for better understanding of Japan, its language, people, and culture, Kokugakuin University in Tokyo sponsors the Kokugakuin Short-Term Exchange Program (K-STEP). This program allows a selected group of foreign exchange students to receive an enhanced experience of Japan while studying in a Japanese university environment, just fifteen minutes' walk from Tokyo's Shibuya Station, center of today's Japan youth culture.
Overview of K-STEP 2011-2012
1. Academics
Beginning from 2009, the K-STEP course content has been broadly restructured. General features of these changes include 1) increased opportunities for field trips to off-campus cultural and educational sites for direct, "hands-on" experience of Japan; 2) restructuring of the previous omnibus style of teaching to reduce the number of instructors per course and provide more continuity and integration of course contents; 3) increased opportunities for participation in symposium-style classes with Japanese students in addition to traditional lectures. For more details, see the section "Coursework."
2. Campus
K-STEP Students will study at Kokugakuin's main Shibuya Campus. An ambitious program of major reconstruction was completed in September, 2009, resulting in a modernized and highly convenient campus structure. Since students of all years and from most faculties and majors pursue their studies on this campus, K-STEP students can now associate more freely with Japanese students of their own year-grade, integrating all students more closely within the Kokugakuin community. K-STEP students will also have access to Kokugakuin's newly rebuilt main library and International Exchange Center at Shibuya.
3. Period of Study
Students may elect to study for one semester (six months) or two successive semesters (one year). Each semester is composed of classes lasting a total of about thirteen weeks, interspersed with holidays and extra-curricular activities over the six-month semester period. Fall Semester starts in mid-September, 2011, and Spring Semester starts in April, 2012.
4. Coursework
The courses noted below are offered during the fall and spring semesters. Although the general title of the courses remains the same for fall and spring semesters, actual contents are different. The level of Japanese language classes in the spring semester is more advanced than that for the fall semester. (Course titles are subject to change.)
Fall semester
+Basic Japanese Language (8)
+Introduction to Japanese Religion I (1) E ★
+Introduction to Japanese Culture and Society I (1) E ★
+Japanese Law and Politics (1) E ★
+Japanese Economy and Society (1) E ★
+Understanding Japanese Culture I (1)
+Sports Science and Traditional Sports I (1)
Spring semester
+Basic Japanese Language (8)
+Introduction to Japanese Religion II (1) E ★
+Introduction to Japanese Culture and Society II (1) E ★
+Environment Awareness and Policy in Japan (1) E ★
+View on International Exchange through Japanese (1) ★
+Understanding Japanese Culture II (1)
+Sports Science and Traditional Sports in Japan II (1)
NOTE: Numerals in parentheses ( ) refer to the number of 90-minutes class meetings held each week during a semester.
“E” indicates that the class is taught in English. Other classes are taught using a combination of Japanese and English, or Japanese only depending on students’ proficiency level.
“★” indicates that the class may include ordinary matriculated students from Kokugakuin. Classes without this mark are intended for international exchange students only.
It is highly recommended that prospective K-STEP students complete an introductory course in Japanese language at their local university or other educational institution before entering the K-STEP program.
Although the level of the K-STEP Basic Japanese Language course is adjusted based on the abilities of students attending each semester, knowledge of the Japanese hiragana and katakana syllabaries, and ability at basic short–sentence conversation are assumed of all entering K-STEP students. Lack of any knowledge of Japanese may also severely inhibit successful adjustment to everyday life in Japan.
5. Grading
All courses (except where otherwise stipulated) are graded in accord with the five levels; A+=100-90, A=89-80, B=79-70, C=69-60, D=59-0. Below 60 is non-passing grade.
“Understanding Japanese Culture” and “Sports Science and Traditional Sports in Japan”
Students will be evaluated by two levels; pass or fail.
The basis for grading may be different from what you are familiar with. The following grading for the Japanese language classes is an example:
Exams (2 per semester) 50 %
Presentation Session 20 %
Attitude/Attendance 30 %
Students’ class performance and completion of assignments are evaluated within “Attitude.” Class attendance is also used to evaluate final grades.
6. Transfer of Credits
Kokugakuin suggests a number of credits for each course, but students must consult with their own university regarding policies for the conversion and transfer of credits if they wish to apply work done at Kokugakuin to their home university’s graduation requirements.
7. Qualification, Fees and Scholarships
Applications for K-STEP are accepted only from normally matriculated undergraduate students at universities with which Kokugakuin has concluded an agreement for academic and educational exchange.
Candidate students are expected to be motivated to study Japanese culture, society and language. Students must also possess sufficient skill in English to participate in core K-STEP classes.
Tuition fees for the K-STEP program are waived in accord with exchange agreements between participating universities, though students may be required to submit tuition to their home institution. As a result, entrance to the program is competitive and limited to a small number of students recommended by their universities.
Students with 2.30 or higher JASSO GPA* will be given preference in selection.
In addition to the waiver of tuition, a certain number of scholarships are normally offered to K-STEP students. For the 2011 academic year, Kokugakuin will inform each university around the end of January, 2011 regarding the number of exchange students eligible for the respective scholarship.
A. JASSO Scholarships
Upon receipt of all application documents, Kokugakuin applies for scholarships to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), a subsidiary of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports Science and Technology. JASSO scholarships furnish students with a stipend of 80,000 yen per month, together with a one-time relocation allowance of 80,000 yen.
B. Kokugakuin Scholarship
A limited number of students who do not receive JASSO scholarships may be eligible for equivalent scholarships from Kokugakuin University.
The monthly stipend payment included with these scholarships is generally sufficient for room and commuting, and school necessities such as textbooks. However, students will need additional funding to pay for other meals and activities, including local field trips comprising part of the K-STEP program. It is therefore strongly recommended that students obtain private funding in accordance with their plans and lifestyle (see section "Accommodation & Cost of Living").
Monthly meal costs average between 36,000 yen and 50,000 yen, though the actual amount required can vary widely, depending on the lifestyle of the student.
8. Application and Selection Process
Applications for admission and scholarship must be made in accordance with the JASSO guidelines for academic year 2011. Application guidelines and forms are furnished to Kokugakuin by JASSO, and are then forwarded to each university's international exchange office.
When all required forms and documentation are received from student applicants and their universities, Kokugakuin forwards the completed documents to JASSO, which then makes final selection of scholarship grantees. As a result, Kokugakuin must receive all applications and supporting documentation by the following deadline:
For students attending the Fall, 2011 semester: March 11, 2011
(Application deadlines at your university are normally earlier than the above. Contact your international studies office for the exact date.)
Kokugakuin University uses the same application documents and deadlines for making its own scholarship decisions. Selection of students to receive Kokugakuin scholarships is made from those applicants remaining after JASSO has made its selection, on the basis of the ranking of applicants by their home universities, and available funding.
If an applicant is not selected for a scholarship but still wishes to attend the K-STEP program at his or her own expense, he or she may still be accepted with waived tuition upon the recommendation of the student's home university.
9. Other Activities during the Program
Numerous campus activities are available each year that allow foreign exchange students to interact with Japanese Kokugakuin students. Many campus clubs welcome foreign students and provide an excellent means of making lasting friendships as well as gaining insights to the atmosphere and culture of Japanese university life.
In addition to the individual relationships built by exchange students, Kokugakuin arranges for a Japanese conversation partner and friendship family for each exchange student. A Japanese conversation partner is typically a Kokugakuin undergraduate student who meets the exchange student for regular non-curricular sessions that allow the exchange student to practice Japanese conversation. A friendship family is a volunteer Japanese family that makes occasional visits or excursions with the exchange student to provide the student with closer insights into typical Japanese families and lifestyles.
10. Excursions and Field Trips
Together with classroom study, K-STEP offers field trips, excursions and observation tours to various locales of interest to students of Japanese culture, economics, politics, and society. Typical excursions of past programs have included:
+Day trip to Kamakura
+Tour of the Earthquake Information Center and other facilities important to Japanese life
+Tour of a local elementary school
+Visit to National Kabuki Theater
Other field trips are often arranged by individual instructors in conjunction with class contents.
In the case of these excursions and field trips, students are responsible for the cost of transporta- tion, meals, admission fees and accommodation where required. Depending on the nature of the event, excursions may be guided by international exchange staff members and/or faculty instructors.
11. Accommodation & Cost of Living
The cost of living in Tokyo varies widely, depending on location and type of lifestyle.
University dormitory – Male students only
The Kokugakuin University dormitory is a common option for male students. The dormitory is located beside the Tama Plaza campus (commuting time about 30-40 minutes to Shibuya). The dormitory is reserved for male students only. Dormitory life is generally less expensive than off campus life, but students are required to abide by dormitory rules (e.g., security curfew). Please note that meals are served under the same conditions for all dormitory residents, with the result that those with religious or other dietary restrictions may find this option unattractive.
Monthly expenses model 1:
Male living in Kokugakuin dormitory
Room Waived
Utilities 8,000 yen
Meals 20,000 yen
Commuting to school 5,000 yen
Cell phone & Internet 6,000 yen
Health insurance 1,200 yen
Other 30,000 yen
Host family - Female students only
Female K-STEP students are often placed with home-stays in private local homes when sufficient applicant families are available. This can prove a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese home life, but students must abide by the normal rules of the home family (e.g., abiding by security curfew).
Monthly expenses model 2:
Female living with host-family
Room and Board (breakfast & supper) 40,000 yen
Utilities 0 yen
Commuting 10,000 yen
Cell phone 5,000 yen
Health insurance 1,200 yen
Other 30,000 yen
Please note that the availability of host families varies from year to year and it may be impossible to place students even when requested.
Off-campus dormitory – Male & Female students
Kokugakuin also assists students in arranging for housing in commercial off-campus dormitories. Monthly room and board at such facilities vary depending on the type of accommodation selected. Students may have the choice of a single room or twin room shared with another student. Payment of application fees, facilities charges, and security deposits may be required before arrival. Security deposits are normally refunded when students have completed their contract, assuming the room is left in the same condition as upon arrival. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are normally shared by all residents.
Monthly expenses model 3:
Living in commercial off-campus dormitory
Room 48,000 yen
Utilities 7,500 yen
Meals 30,000 yen
Commuting 5,000 yen
Cell phone 4,000 yen
Health insurance 1,200 yen
Other 20,000 yen
The monthly scholarships provided normally enable students to pay for rent and utilities at such facilities.
(See section: "Qualification, Fees and Scholarships")
12. Health Insurance
All K-STEP students are required to enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) program. Monthly insurance fees are about 1,500 yen. In event of the need for medical care, the NHI enrollee pays 30% of medical charges, the rest being covered by public insurance.
13. Other notes
+Each K-STEP student is required to acquire a valid visa to stay in Japan as an exchange student. The K-STEP office assists by obtaining certificates of eligibility for candidate students, allowing each student to acquire a visa from the Japanese consulate in their home country.
+K-STEP students are prohibited from performing part-time work while receiving scholarships and staying in Japan as exchange students.
+Please be aware that all personal information provided to Kokugakuin University pursuant to the K-STEP program (including application forms, copies of alien registration certification, bank account information, etc.) are used only for matters directly related to the exchange program and life at Kokugakuin, and not for any other purpose.
14. For further information
Please contact the international programs office at your university, or the following:
International Exchange Programs Office
Kokugakuin University
4-10-28 Higashi Shibuya-ku
Tokyo，150-8440 Japan
Tel ：＋81-3-5778-7061
Fax：＋81-3-5778-7062
E-Mail：ＩＳＨＩＹＡＭＡ＠ kokugakuin.ac.jp
KOKUSAI @ kokugakuin.ac.jp
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