Japan Studies at Coastal is growing fast. Coastal students can choose to participate in any of three residential study programs in Japan. The summaries and lists of courses that follow should provide enough information to make your decision, but you should also survey the web sites of all three schools in Japan. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Hiro Hiratsuka (hhiratsu@coastal.edu).

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS)

Nagoya is about an hour’s train ride from Kyoto and sits at the heart of Japan's business, industrial, and transportation sectors. The NUFS campus is situated in the suburb of Nisshin, a small suburb about a 45 minute bus ride from Nagoya Station. There are two programs available to CCU students wishing to study at NUFS. The Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Program (JLJSP) provides the students with high-quality Japanese language and cultural instruction with the intent of equipping them with the skills and motivation necessary to pursue a career relating to Japan. The main focus is on the mastery of the Japanese language. JLJSP students will take 15 credits of intensive Japanese each semester along with three elective credits in history, culture, business internship, or literature. The Contemporary Japan Program in Nagoya (CJPN) has been developed to accommodate students who are interested in pursuing in-depth study of contemporary Japan , but may not be ready for the intensive level of language study required by the JLJSP Program. The CJPN is shaped by two unique concepts. The first is that the focus of the program extends beyond the overall aspects of contemporary Japan and explores the specific features of the Chubu Region, one of the most economically vibrant areas in Japan. In fact the headquarters of several world-famous companies are based in the region, including that of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The second is that many of the subjects offered in this program (including the Internship Program) are of a practical nature and have been designed to facilitate the students' career development. The courses, mostly taught in English, include a wide range of subjects as indicated below. For detailed information regarding the CCU/NUFS Exchange Programs, please click here. You may also visit Nagoya's website at: http://www-e.nufs.ac.jp/

Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU)

The Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) is nestled on the shore of Lake Biwa in rural Shiga Prefecture. Bordered by the lake, mountains, and low-lying plains, the JCMU campus is accentuated by its natural beauty and is a wonderful place to experience all four seasons. Spring is filled with cherry blossoms, followed by summer when people come out to play and have barbeques on the beach, while fall is filled with brightly colored foliage and cool breezes. In the winter, many people enjoy skiing and snow play in the nearby mountains, and year round the sunsets across Lake Biwa remain breathtaking. The Japanese Language and Culture (JLC) program at JCMU allows students to participate for one or two semesters, with the option of continuing into the summer. Japanese language courses normally involve 10 credits, covering a standard academic year's worth of material in one semester. Students are able to complete the equivalent of two academic levels of Japanese in one academic year at JCMU. For more information, see the JCMU website at: http://www.isp.msu.edu/JCMU/

For more information or an application, contact
internationalprograms@coastal.edu