Ideally, Japanese majors should study abroad during their second or third year of language study.

Keep in mind that in some cases your session abroad will run according to the Japanese academic calendar (March through December).

Freshmen

Your first year is best spent fulfilling general education requirements and language prerequisites. If you’re interested in getting a head start on your language study, the summer between your first and second year is a good time to study abroad.

Sophomores

Sophomore year is a good time to study abroad. Most language credit earned abroad will count toward your major. Refer to your major requirements to ensure you’ll be at the right language level and will have earned the required number of hours before your fifth semester begins. Depending on your program, you might be able to get literature or other culture courses approved by your major advisor.

Juniors

Junior year is also a good time to study abroad. Again, most language courses taken abroad will count toward your major—just be sure to review your language level before enrolling so you don’t double your language courses. Depending on your program, you might be able to get literature or other culture courses approved by your major advisor.

Seniors

You may also study abroad during your senior year—just be sure that all of your requirements will be met for graduation upon your return.

Summer

If you can’t seem to fit study abroad in during the school year, consider a short-term summer program.

Major Courses

While none of your major requirements need to be fulfilled at the UI, Japanese majors are generally advised to enroll in intensive language programs abroad.

Be careful not to enroll in language courses you’ve already fulfilled. To avoid this, review your language level before registering for courses abroad. Note: reserving your elective hours to use for study abroad courses will give you the flexibility needed for fitting a year of study abroad into your 4-year graduation plan.

Visit the Study Abroad office and/or consult with your advisor in the Japanese Department to discuss study abroad courses you could take to fulfill UI requirements. Once you choose your courses, you’ll need to fill out a Study Abroad Credit Approval Form (available in the Study Abroad office) and return it to your Study Abroad advisor prior to your departure.

General Education and Electives

Japanese exchange programs offer few courses that will count toward your general education requirements (most of the courses you take abroad will count toward your language requirements). General education courses are best fulfilled at the UI.

Again, reserving your elective hours to use for study abroad courses will give you the flexibility you need to fit a year of study abroad into your 4-year plan.

The Japanese academic calendar begins in March and runs through December. Some Japanese universities have adjusted their international programs to correlate with the U.S. academic calendar; in other cases, your study abroad program will require you to leave in March and return in December (so you’re not overseas for two months—mid-January to late March—with nothing to do). Be sure to discuss this with a study abroad advisor and organize your travel schedule accordingly.

Students wishing to participate in an exchange program should begin planning early (two full semesters in advance of the semester you wish to study abroad) in order to secure an exchange spot.

Limited transfer credit is allowed for Japanese minors. Japanese minors planning to study abroad should be particularly diligent about getting a faculty advisor’s approval before registering for courses overseas.

After reading through this MAP, make sure to check out our Steps to Studying Abroad page to learn about our Discover Study Abroad sessions and how to start planning your time abroad. Ideally, you should begin to plan your study abroad experience at least two semesters in advance of your departure date.

All students who study abroad must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Each program listed has coursework taught in English unless otherwise stated. In addition, each program has specific eligibility requirements that may include GPA, prerequisites, and/or class standing. Please see the specific program page on the Study Abroad website at international.uiowa.edu/study-abroad/programs.

Asia

Japan

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies Exchange
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

The Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS) Exchange program allows UI students to participate in NUFS' Global Japan Program, part of the university's International Institute for Japanese Language and Education (IJLE). Enrolling in 12 to 18 credits per semester, students take Japanese language core courses in levels ranging from beginning to advanced, Japanese applied skills courses, and English-taught elective courses related to Japanese area studies. Sample elective courses include Introduction to Global Business in Japan, Introduction to Japanese Culture and Hospitality, The History of Japan, and Introduction to Japanese Literature.

Kanda University of International Studies Exchange
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

Kanda University of International Studies established the Japanese Language and Culture Program to receive exchange students interested in furthering their proficiency in Japanese. Students admitted to this exchange will primarily focus on intensive Japanese language learning through Kanda’s Interaction with Japanese Program. UI students enroll in a set of compulsory language courses (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) for a total of eight semester hours. Students must also enroll in six semester hours of elective courses that reinforce language skills (pronunciation and grammar) or are related to Japanese area studies. Sample elective courses include Introduction to Japanese Society, Japanese Sociolinguistics, and Introduction to Japanese Business Culture.