Short-term Study Program at Hirosaki University

Name of the program

Short-term Study Progam at Hirosaki University, Japan

Starting date

The program will commence as of October, 2000.

Background Information

Developing close ties with Japan has been one of our section's main goals. For this reason, we have been activitly seeking to enter exchange agreements with Hirosaki University. Hirosaki University have established a new International Exchange Center on campus and inaugurated an International Exchange Fund. In order to further advance "gobal education' program, Hirosaki University have decided to start a short-term program as part of the student exchange program with Otago University. The program is targeted at students who are interested in Japan and have completed at least two years of undergraduate work at Otago University.

Purpose of the Program

The program's main objective is to deepen the participants' understanding of Japanese society. The main focus will be placed on the northen region of Japan, its customs. culture and natural environment. Completion of the program will enable the participants to gain a better understanding of Japan.

Program Description

This program will offer courses in "Japanese Culture", "Physical Education / Art", "Nature Science", "Computer Science", "Enviromental Science", and "Independent Study (seminar course)".

The particpants will experience and gain knowledge of Japanese sociey with emphasis on the customs, culture and natural enviroment of the northern region of Japan.

As a rule, the language of instruction will be English. Upon successful completion of the courses, the participants will be given Hirosaki University credit needed for graduration at Otago university.

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Eligibility

Eligible participants are students who are enrolled in University of Otago, Japanese Program and have completed at least 2 years of their undergraduate study.

Status of the Particpants

The overseas students will belong to the faculty of their main field of study. Their formal status at the unviersity will be "special auditor" (Article 58-2, Hirosaki University regulations)

Number of Students Admitted in the Program

Approximately 20 (humanities and science majors combined)

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Period

One year starting either from October (Fall Semester) or (Spring Semester). Students wishing to stay for six months (one semester only) are also accepted.

Status of the Progam within the University

The Hirosaki University will form a "Short-term Study Progam Committee" under the International Exchange Center. The committee will implement the program with the cooperation of the independent study (seminar) advisors and course instructors.

Curriculum

Course
The courses to be offered will include "Japanese Culture", "Physical Education /Art", "Natural Science", "Computer Science", "Enviromental Science (seminar)", and subjects in other fields of study. These courses have been designed in accordance with Article 26 of Hirosaki University and faculty regulations.

The course mentioned above are usually taken in combination with Japanese language classes offered at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels.

Students who are judged to possed sufficnt profiency in the Japanese language will be allowed to taken regular courses provided that they are given the approval of the course instructor.

Credits
The participants will take, typically, more than 10 credits pers semester and less than 30 credits per year from the courses mentioned above in (1).

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Language of Instruction

All teaching for the program will be in English, with the execption of Japanese language courses.

Staff

(1) Director, International Exchange Center
(2) Hirosaki Univeristy instructors

Educational Support

Program Committeee
"International Exchange Center Short-term Study Program Committee (the Program Committee, hereafter)" will oversee and implement the program.

The Program Committee is to be divided into two sections, the "Program Coordination Section" and the "Curriculum Design Section".

The Progam Committee will work with the advisors and course instructors in each faculty.

Tution
Tution is determined according to the affiliation agreements between Hirosaki Unversity and its sister schools. Many of these affiliation agreements includes a tuition waver.

Advisors
The participants' faculty will assign his/her advisor.

Life / Study Guidance for the students
The Progam committee, together with the participants's adisors, will provide guidance and support to the participants.

Administration
The administrative aspect of the program will be handled by the Registrar's Office of the Student Affairs Section.

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Credit

The participant will be awarded credit based on the course instructor's evaluation.

Accommodation / Tutors / Health Insurance / Scholarship

(1) Hirosaki University International House will give the highest priority to students participants in the grogram.

(2) The university will arrange a peer tutor for each student.

(3) Accident and sickness insurance is avilable to the participants through the Association of International Education, Japan.

(4) The Association of International Education, Japan will provide the participating students a scholarship through the Association's short-term study promotion program.

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