Language Requirement: Some Japanese
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Asia, Japan
GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

Studying at Senshu University offers the opportunity to rapidly improve your Japanese language skills and experience Japanese culture. You will study and live alongside exchange students from all over the world, as well as local Japanese students. In this international environment, you will learn not only about Japanese culture, but will also be exposed to the cultures of your fellow students. The Japanese Language and Culture program is available in summer or winter term, and Japanese Business, Culture & History and Japanese Language program is available in fall term. In addition to coursework, both programs incorporate activities such as visiting a samurai village, going to Tokyo Skytree, or participating in a fireworks festival.

Outside of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo but close enough to head into the city for the afternoon, Senshu University’s Ikuta campus is located in a suburb of Tokyo. The Ikuta campus is located approximately 25 minutes by express train from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, plus about a 15-minute walk.

Read Leighanna Huston's story about her experience in Japan fall 2022.

Read Blair Prater's blog about her experience in Japan summer 2016.

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2025 12/15/2024 Mid-June Late July
Fall Quarter 2025 12/15/2024 Late September Mid-December
Winter Quarter 2026 06/15/2025 Early January Early March

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Hear from Our Students

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Experiencing Japan as an Exchange Student


Image In fall 2022, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Japan, which was one of my biggest life goals. This adventure was my first time… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Note: UO credits listed below are estimates and are subject to change based on slight variations in the course hours from year to year.

Summer & Winter programs: In the summer or winter terms, you will be enrolling in the Japanese Language and Culture (JLC) program at Senshu University. You will take a Japanese language class and participate in cultural excursions. The summer and winter programs are 7 weeks in length. 

  • Summer: you will earn around 11 UO credits of Japanese language. If you plan to continue studying Japanese language when you return to UO in the fall, you will need to take a placement test to determine what level you can take. 
  • Winter: you will earn around 10 UO credits of Japanese language. NOTE: for the winter program, you will be below UO full-time enrollment. If you receive financial aid/ loans/ scholarships, please consult with the UO Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships regarding how being less than full-time would impact your aid.

For more information about the Senshu Japanese Language and Culture program, visit: https://www.senshu-u.ac.jp/global/english/program/

Fall program: In fall term, you will be enrolling in the Japanese Business, Culture & History and Japanese Language (BCL) program at Senshu University. In this 12-week program, you will take a Japanese language class and participate in cultural activities. In addition, you will take a Survey of Japanese Business class, or a Survey of Japanese Culture & History class, or both. The content classes are taught in English. Each content class includes relevant excursions to enhance what you learn in the classroom, such as visiting companies in Tokyo or a museum about the Edo era in Japan.

In the fall program, you will earn:

  • Around 15-16 UO credits of Japanese
  • Plus around 8 UO credits for the business class if you select this class
  • Plus around 4 UO credits for the culture and history class if you select this class

For more information about this program, please visit: https://www.senshu-u.ac.jp/global/english/bclproguram/

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

At least one year college-level Japanese (for the summer and winter programs); at least one term college-level Japanese (for the fall program).

Housing Description

Most exchange students live in the university international dormitory, Senshu International House, with other exchange students from all over the world as well as Japanese students. Please note that rooms will be provided to applicants on a first-come-first-served basis, and capacity may be limited. Students who complete the host university application close to the deadline might be required to find their own accommodations off-campus. Senshu advises that if students need to seek off-campus housing, they will be notified well in advance.

The dormitory is modern and includes a study room, computer lab, WiFi, security staff, and a lounge with a piano and ping-pong table. Each room is shared by two students with a communal bathroom down the hall. The Japanese resident assistants help build community in the dormitory by organizing ping pong tournaments, a visit to Tokyo Disney or the hot springs, or a day trip to the fish market.

A full kitchen is available in the dormitory to cook your own meals, and on any given night, you may find students cooking Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Spanish food side by side. Nearby restaurants and cafeterias are available if cooking is not your strong suit, but you should prepare to budget some extra money for this.

A one-weekend homestay with a local Japanese family is also available, allowing you to experience family life and dive more deeply into the culture. See more information and photos of the dormitory here: https://www.senshu-u.ac.jp/global/english/house.html