
Japanese Language & Culture
Fall Semester Annually -
mid-September – mid-January
Program Overview
Immerse yourself in Japanese language and culture during this unique semester-long program. Each year, one Madison College student will be selected to study at Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) in Makuhari, Japan, located along Tokyo Bay in the Madison sister-state of Chiba. In exchange, an international student from KUIS will study at Madison College during the fall semester.
Prior Japanese language knowledge is required for this program. The minimum language requirement is equal to two semesters of college study or two years of high school Japanese. A placement test is required to verify applicants’ language abilities.
Course Information
While at KUIS, the Madison College exchange student will enroll in 8 credits of Japanese language. Two additional courses, worth 3 credits each, will be selected from a list of history and sociology courses.
Depending on the student’s schedule, classes will be held 4-5 days each week.
Accommodations and Meals
Although students may live in an apartment, they are strongly encouraged to live in one of the residence halls operated by KUIS for the convenience and cost.
Students are allowed to cook in the residence halls. The cafeteria at KUIS is open only during the lunch period.
Excursions
Exchange students may have the opportunity to visit British Hills and enjoy an overnight stay.
Additional Information
A passport is required for US citizens traveling to Japan. If you need to apply for a passport, it is advised to allow at least 6 weeks for standard processing. Information regarding visas will be provided after an exchange student has been selected.
The student selected to participate in the Japanese Language & Culture Program will be required to meet with the Center for International Education staff for a pre-departure orientation. This orientation provides information on health and safety, packing and trip planning, flight logistics, and other essential information.
Cost
Because this is an exchange program, the only payment made to Madison College is for 14 credits of Liberal Arts tuition and fees, plus five months of international health insurance. The estimated payment to Madison College for Fall 2012 is approximately $2,400.00.
Additional expenses will include:
- Airfare: approximately $1,300
- Housing, including utilities: 35,000 – 55,000 yen/month (approx. $417-$656/month) for a room in the residence halls
- Non-refundable key money, deposit, and fire insurance: 75,000 – 115,000 yen (approx. $894-$1,372)
- Food: approximately 30,000 yen/month (approx. $358/month)
- Personal expenses: approximately 200,000 yen (approx. $2,385)
To Apply
The application process for this program is two-fold. First, interested Madison College students apply to the Center for International Education, who will select one student. This student’s application is then forwarded to KUIS, who will make the final decision.
The deadline to apply for this program is Friday, March 23, 2012. All materials, including the initial deposit of $500 (made payable to Madison College), must be received by 4:00 p.m. in the Center for International Education. (NOTE: Unless an applicant is rejected, the $500 deposit is non-refundable.)
To apply, please go to our online application.
If you have already started an application, log in directly on the existing user site.
Scholarships
Freeman-Asia Scholarship
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
Bridging Scholarship for Study in Japan
This scholarship is available to American undergraduate students participating in education abroad programs in Japan. Sixty to one hundred scholarships will be awarded to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan during the 2012-2013 academic year.
For more information on these and other scholarships, please see the Education Abroad Scholarships page.
For More Information
If you would like to know more about studying abroad through Madison College, please StudyAbroad[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (email us) or call 608-246-6201 to schedule an appointment.
Kanda University of International Studies

