Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Student Exchange
Beppu, Japan
1st Semester: March through July
2nd Semester: September through January
Courses in English in accounting, business, city and environment, finance, HR, interpreting/translation, IT, marketing, production, social sciences, and tourism & information media; intensive Japanese, including media Japanese, teaching of Japanese as
a foreign language and business Japanese)
______________________________________
With students from over 65 nations and approximately half of all faculty from overseas, students attending Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) can enjoy a unique environment which serves as a host for perspectives from around the world.
APU is one of the few universities in Japan offering lectures in both English and Japanese. Students who have not previously studied Japanese may pursue subjects in their major fields and areas of interest in English, while those who have studied Japanese at the advanced level may take courses in Japanese.
While APU offers intensive Japanese, it is important to understand that it is located at the top of a mountain with limited access to town. Students studying at APU spend most of their time with other APU students and choose APU for the international environment it provides.
More detailed information and answers to F.A.Q.s are available on the APU International Affairs Division site.
Testimonial
...My Japanese class is enjoyable. It was hard to get back into the swing of things because I haven't studied since the previous semester, but I'm picking up fast. I like the class because we are reviewing everything I've already learned and then some. It also seems to be presented more clearly. And then I will learn so much more. It'll be very good...I'm extremely gung-ho about clubs. The most a person can learn here can be learned through joining clubs. Let's count how many I'm currently in: Shorinji-Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, Igo, Nihongo-net, English Thursday, Salsa, World Cooking Aroi, Art Club, Wadaiko, and Iroha. That makes ten. But to be more realistic, I haven't actually attended Art Club, Iroha, World Cooking Aroi, or Wadaiko yet. And I don't know if I'll stick with Nihongo-net or English Thursday. I also want to set some time aside to use the fitness room. It's hard to find time for more when your schedule is quite packed as it is; that and some clubs conflict with others' schedules. I at least want to see what certain clubs have to offer before I decide not to participate on a regular basis. And I, of course, want to maintain some time for study and sleep. So we'll see how it all turns out. In case you were wondering what the aformentioned clubs were, here is a nifty little explanation - Shorinji-Kempo is a martial art that focuses heavily on speed...Tae Kwon Do is a martial art that focuses on kicking (my cup o' tea). Igo is a board game that is only slightly comparable to chess, but is far more complicated. Nihongo-net is a club that gets people together to practice their Japanese with Japanese people... English Thursday is the same as Nihongo-net only in English (finally something I'm good at). I don't expect to practice my English, of course, but to help those that need practice. It also allows me to connect with more Japanese people. Salsa is what you eat with chips... No no, it's actually the dance. Good stuff; you should try it. World Cooking Aroi is all about learning how to cook, as the name implies (something I could use in more than one country). Art club is self explanatory. I did bring my camera and photo album, after all. Wadaiko is a traditional Japanese drum. Iroha is about sightseeing in Japan. I'm not too interested as that would require me to spend money. The scenery on top of this mountain is amazing. It's like new every day. I'll never get used to it. Depending on where you stand you can look down over Beppu, Oita, and the bay that separates them. If you look the other way, it's just rolling mountain tops and valleys. The only thing scarier than the very thought of a Godzilla attack are the bugs. Everything that crawls is HUGE. The spiders are almost big enough to steal babies from their cribs. And they make huge, three-dimensional webs. They're smart enough to know that anyone tall enough to get their head caught in the web, must be big enough for a hardy meal.
Jason Ocker, Fall 2006
All of the information included here is subject to change. Modifications may be required depending on the exigencies of the situation.
Course(s)
Language Requirements
Courses are offered in both English and Japanese. While there is no Japanese language requirement for students studying in English, it is highly recommended that exchange participants complete at least Japanese 110 at UW Oshkosh in advance of their semester abroad. Students planning to study in Japanese will be required to submit evidence of Japanese proficiency.
Course Options
Before committing to an exchange program, applicants must spend time looking through the course selection available at the host institution.
APU offers courses in two colleges. Asia Pacific Management (APM) concentrates on Business Administration, Finance and Accounting and covers all aspects of Marketing, Production, Finance and Accounting, Human Resource Management and IT. Asia Pacific Studies (APS) is focused on Social Sciences, Media and languages and offers courses in specialized areas including City and Environment, Tourism and Information Media. Specialist Japanese courses are offered in interpreting/translation, media Japanese, teaching of Japanese as a foreign language and business Japanese.
Although you will "belong" to one college or the other, you may register for courses from both APS and APM.
Read through the APU syllabi for more information on courses. Syllabi written in English are for courses taught in English. Syllabi written in Japanese are for courses taught in Japanese. Courses on this system are listed by academic year; however, course lists are not available for future terms until two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. Therefore, you will need to use course information from the academic year preceding your study abroad experience when planning for course enrollment.
Quarter System
APU runs on a quarter system (2 quarters per semester). Although the semester is divided into two quarters, students must be enrolled in courses for the whole semester. APU does not allow enrollment over only one quarter or the other within the semester. Students who withdraw from APU at the end of the first quarter will not receive a transcript from APU and will therefore not be able to transfer any credit back to UW Oshkosh for the semester, regardless of whether first quarter courses have been completed.
Japanese Language Courses
Japanese language courses are not required for exchange students studying at APU, but the OIE highly recommends that students studying on the UW Oshkosh-APU exchange take at least some Japanese. APU offers two tracks for Japanese Language: a fast-paced beginning Japanese track for students who intend to eventually study in Japanese and a slower-paced survival Japanese track. Japanese language courses run for the full semester, rather than on the quarter system.
Attendance
Attendance at class is mandatory at APU. Students who miss three or more classes during the term fail the course.
Grading System
- A+ = 100 – 90%
- A = 89 – 80%
- B = 79 – 70%
- C = 69 – 60%
- E = Exemption
- F = Fail
Course Approval
All applicants complete the Transfer Credit Prior Approval process. At the end of your program, you will transfer your APU coursework to UW Oshkosh.
You will need to maintain full-time status while studying abroad. The number of UW Oshkosh credits you receive for your coursework will be different from the number of APU credits you receive. In general, a 4-credit APU course will be worth 3 UW Oshkosh credits, a 2-credit APU course will be worth 1.5 UW Oshkosh credits and a 1-credit APU course will be worth .5 UW Oshkosh credits. However, the actual number of credits you receive for each course will be determined when you complete your the Transfer Credit Prior Approval process and may be different from what is listed here.
Registration
Course enrollment is completed through the host institution, typically during orientation after arriving abroad. All participants will be enrolled in courses at the host institution and will transfer those courses back to UW Oshkosh at the end of their studies.
Transfer Credit
At APU, grades are posted and transcripts are issued long after the semester ends (end of March for fall semester and early September for spring semester). If you plan to graduate at the end of your semester abroad, notify the OIE at UW Oshkosh BEFORE YOU APPLY so that we can work to ensure that you meet the UW Oshkosh and UW System graduation deadlines.
After you have successfully completed your study abroad experience, but before you leave for home, you will need to have your transcripts sent to the Transfer Student Coordinator in the UW Oshkosh Admissions Office. You cannot receive credit at UW Oshkosh without the official transcript.
All transcripts and related documents must be sent directly to:
Transfer Student Coordinator
Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
U.S.A.
You should also consider ordering a copy of your transcripts for yourself.
Accommodation & Meals
AP House
AP House is an on-campus residence hall. All rooms have a desk, bed, heating/cooling unit, toilet and sink, small fridge, and telephone (pre-paid type). A shared kitchen (with electric ranges & microwaves), laundry and bathroom with private showers are available on each floor. Students are free to use the communal kitchens to prepare meals. AP House also has an internet room with seventy PC's and a study room. Guests are allowed in AP House from 9:00am to 10:00pm.
Once accepted into the Exchange Program, you will be sent forms which you must fill out and return to APU in order to secure a room in AP House. Housing in AP House is guaranteed for all students who return their paperwork.
Your Address
AP House 1, 2
Rm. _____(your room number goes here), 1-2 Jumonjibaru
Beppu, Oita, 874-0011
APU Houses 1 & 2 are right next to each other; there is no difference between the two residences. Room numbers and phone numbers will be provided AFTER MOVING IN.
Bus Stop
"AP House-mae" Bus service is available from JR Beppu Station and JR Kamegawa Station.
Moving In
AP House is open 24 hours per day. Students moving in can check in at the front desk, just inside the main doors.
Off-campus Housing
Students considering off-campus housing should keep in mind that rent is expensive in Japan and that landlords require both key money (the equivalent of paying an extra month's rent up front; non-refundable) and a damage deposit. Students who would like to live off-campus are responsible for securing their own accommodations and making their own arrangements with a landlord. Students are not allowed to drive cars to APU (this is typical in Japan), but could purchase a bus pass to get to campus.
Meals
Students may purchase food at the campus coop (like a convenience store), the on-campus cafeteria and the campus café. Cafeteria meals cost ¥400 on average. The cafeteria also has an ethnic food section with fare changing weekly.
Flight
Luggage Limits
Check with your airline for restrictions on carry-on, checked and excess baggage.
Money
Carry approximately ¥100,000 (about 800 US$) in cash to cover transportation fees to APU from the local airport and living costs for the first few days. There are no banks providing a money exchange service in the vicinity of APU.
Flight
Exchange students arrange and pay for airline tickets on their own. DO NOT purchase these until you have been officially accepted into the program by the HOST university.
You may book through a local travel agency, on-line, or through an agency specializing in airfare to Japan such as one of the following:
GATEWAY
Tel: 1-800-222-1626 ( Toll Free ) / 213-413-3200
Fax: 1-800-413-3313 ( Toll Free) / 213-413-2277
1545 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 416, Los Angeles, CA 90017-4505
Kintetsu International Travel Consultants Company
Chicago Branch
Tel: 1-630-250-8840
Fax: 1-630-250-8574 EXT:218
One Pierce Place, Suite 135C, Itasca, IL 60143
IACE Travel
Tel: 1-800-782-4223 (312-782-0555)
Fax: 312-782-6668
Chicago
AmNet-USA
Tel: 847-734-1300 or 1-800-933-9006
Fax: 1-847-734-1344 1699
Wall Street Suite 418, Mt Prospect IL 60056
Arrival Abroad
Bus service is available direct from Fukuoka airport to APU and takes approximately 2 hours. Students who contact APU in advance with flight information may be met at the airport in Fukuoka or in Oita and directed to the proper bus.
Schedule
The academic year is divided into two semesters of two quarters each.
1st
Semester |
2nd Semester |
|
Suggested Arrival Date |
Mid to late March (students may move in slightly earlier at additional cost) | Mid to Late September (students may move in slightly earlier at additional cost) |
Orientation/Entrance Ceremony |
Late March/Early April | Late September |
Course Registration |
At the end of orientation | At the end of orientation |
Semester/Quarter 1 Begins |
Mid April | Late September |
Quarter 1 Ends |
Late May | Mid November |
Exams & 2nd Enrollment Period |
Late May to early June | Mid to late November |
Quarter 2 Begins |
Early June | Late November |
Semester/Quarter 2 Ends |
Late July | Late January |
Examination Period |
Late July | Last week in January |
For dates, see the APU academic calendar.
Fees
One Semester (5 months)
| Tuition Estimate | |
$
3,020
° |
Tuition (2008/09 academic year) |
| Expenses in U.S. Dollars | |
$100 |
Application Fee ($200 for out-of-state applicants) |
$100 |
Passport & Pictures |
$1,200 |
Airfare |
$0 |
Visa (U.S. citizen rate) |
$185° |
International Health Insurance ($37/month) ° |
$0 |
Immunizations |
$1,585 |
Total Pre-travel Expense Estimate (plus immunizations) |
| Expenses in Foreign Currency (Japanese Yen = ¥) | |
¥6,000 |
Transportation to/from airport |
¥200,000 |
Meals (¥40,000/month in 2008) |
¥195,000 |
Accommodation (¥39,000/month; payable to APU; 2008 fees) |
¥16,000 |
Accommodation Moving-in Fee (payable to APU; 2008 fees) |
¥30,000 |
Books |
¥25,000 |
Local Transportation (¥5,000/month) |
¥75,000 |
Personal Expenses, including cell phone (¥15,000/month) |
¥547,000 |
Total Expense Estimate while Abroad |
$4,970 |
Total in U.S. Dollars as of 8/18/08 (today's rate of exchange) |
$9,575 |
Total Estimated Expenses |
Academic Year (Fall followed by Spring; 11 months)
| Tuition Estimate | |
$
6,040
° |
Tuition (2007/08 academic year) |
| Expenses in U.S. Dollars | |
$100 |
Application Fee ($200 for out-of-state applicants) |
$100 |
Passport & Pictures |
$1,200 |
Airfare |
$0 |
Visa (U.S. citizen rate) |
$407° |
International Health Insurance ($37/month) ° |
$0 |
Immunizations |
$1,807 |
Total Pre-travel Expense Estimate (plus immunizations) |
| Expenses in Foreign Currency (Japanese Yen = ¥) | |
¥6,000 |
Transportation to/from airport |
¥440,000 |
Meals (¥40,000/month in 2008) |
¥429,000 |
Accommodation (¥39,000/month; payable to APU; 2008 fees) |
¥16,000 |
Accommodation Moving-in Fee (payable to APU; 2008 fees) |
¥60,000 |
Books |
¥55,000 |
Local Transportation (¥5,000/month) |
¥165,000 |
Personal Expenses, including cell phone (¥15,000/month) |
¥1,171,000 |
Total Expense Estimate while Abroad |
$10,645 |
Total in U.S. Dollars as of 08/18/08 (today's rate of exchange) |
$18,492 |
Total Estimated Expenses |
°Indicates the expense will appear on your UW Oshkosh student account.
You may need to budget for transportation to and from your home town and the airport, shipping charges/insurance for personal belongings mailed to the host country (remember that each individual airline imposes a luggage limit), non-program-related sight-seeing (transportation, entrance fees, etc.), long distance phone calls to the U.S., TV (basic fee of ¥1,395/month, additional ¥945/month for satellite broadcast); unexpected emergencies, and other expenses which may come up from time to time.
Working Abroad
Part-time
jobs are sometimes available within the university and in the city.
APU provides students with information on part-time jobs; however, competition
is tough and advanced Japanese language skills are necessary.
Students are required to file an Application for Permission to engage
in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence
Previously Granted to the Immigration Bureau before working/seeking employment. This form is available from the Student Office at
APU.
Apply
The application process for this program is competitive; applications will be accepted through the application deadline, when decisions on seat assignments will be made.
If on the date that applications are due there are more applications than seats available, the top applicants will be selected. Where two or more applicants have similar qualifications, graduation dates and/or the date on which the application was received may be used to select applicants. Preference in selecting applicants will go to UW Oshkosh students.
Selected applicants will be notified and must make their first program payment on time in order to retain their seat. Applicants who are not selected will be refunded the application fee.
| ADDITIONAL documents required for this program. Due by the application deadline: |
|
| Two Recommendations One recommendation must be from a professor in a department related to your subject and/or language of study. The second must be from a professor or from a professional person with whom you work. You may not use professors who teach Japanese language for recommendations, as they are already involved in the selection process. |
|
| Transfer Credit Prior Approval form The OIE recommends choosing twice as many courses as you plan to take per semester and completing the Transfer Credit Prior Approval for all of these courses. In the case that a course you intended to take abroad is full, not offered or is not what you expected, you will then be able to easily make changes to your enrollment while abroad. |
|
| APU application documents | |
| Application for APU Student Exchange Program (4 pages) | |
| Certificate of University Enrollment To obtain your Certificate of Enrollment, logon to Titan Web and follow these "breadcrumbs": Home_Academics_Obtain Enrollment Certificate_Use_Obtain Enrollment Certificate. Read the instructions on the page and click on the National Student Clearinghouse link. Print the certificate. |
|
| Official Academic Transcript | |
| JASSO Scholarship Application (fill out page 1 only) | |
| Certificate of Enrollment of the Applicant for JASSO (fill out top portion only; do not fill in the name, title, signature) | |
| Application for Certificate of Eligibility (pages 1, 3, 4; page 2 is directions) | |
| Certificate of Eligibility by Proxy (1 page) | |
| Study Abroad Financial Support Plan (1 page) | |
| Statement of Financial Support (1 page; if applicable) | |
| Financial Support Statements (e.g. bank statements, scholarship award letter, financial aid award letter, etc.) | |
| Due by the Friday following the application deadline: | |
| Passport-size Photos Submit three identical passport-size photographs. You should have these taken at the same time that you have your photos for your passport taken. WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE BACK OF EACH PHOTO. |
|
| Due by the 1st Friday in November or April: | |
| Passport Copy Copy of the picture page of your passport. Let OIE staff know that you are submitting this to be forwarded to APU. |
|
Resources
Office of International Education Orientation Materials
JAPAN GUIDE for UW Oshkosh students studying in Nagasaki or Oita.
Study in Japan
Japan Student Services Organization
Japan National Tourist Organization
Nagasaki City Hall Tourism Brochure
Scholarships for Study in Japan
List of scholarships and searchable databases for study abroad.
Japanese Visa
A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed by officials of a foreign country on a U.S. passport that makes it possible for the bearer to visit that foreign country.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
In order for you to secure a visa to enter Japan, APU must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan, on your behalf. This takes approximately two months. The OIE will then contact you to pick up the COE, at which time you will need to apply for a visa to enter Japan.
Applying for a Japanese Visa
A US citizen with a Certificate of Eligibility must submit a number of additional documents to the Japanese Consulate in the U.S. in order to obtain a visa to enter Japan. The list of documents, along with the application procedure, is available on the web site of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago.
Japanese immigration requires all APU students to prove financial support before authorizing a visa. Proof of support can be in the form of financial aid award letters, scholarship award letters, bank statements, etc.
You may apply in person (you will need to appear one day and pick up your documents the next) or by mail (this should take about one week plus mail time). For questions, call the Consulate General of Japan at (312)280-0400.
Alien Registration
APU will send you an Alien Registration Form, which you must complete and return to APU before traveling to Japan.
Foreigners residing in Japan for more than 90 days must apply in person for alien registration before the 90th day from arrival in Japan (someone at APU will assist you). The following are necessary when applying for alien registration: passport and two photographs (4.5cm x 3.5cm, without hat). Foreign residents 16 years of age or over are required by law to carry their Alien Registration Card on their person at all times.
Emergency Contact (during program dates)
In a life and death emergency ABROAD
U.S. Department of State Citizen Emergency Center: 1 (202) 647-5225
The Department of State will relay messages to the Embassy in the country in which program participants are traveling. Embassy personnel will try to locate your student, pass on urgent messages and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back.
To reach your student directly
Use the phone/fax information given to you by your student or, if your student is staying in a hotel, use the hotel contact information listed on the web page for your student's program.
The Office of International Education cannot give out homestay phone numbers unless authorized in advance by the student, but we would be happy to try to contact your student for you in an emergency.
To reach someone at UW Oshkosh during office hours (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F)
- Office of International Education Phone: 1 (920) 424-0775
- Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-1410
- Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-0300
- Office of International Education Fax: 1 (920) 424-0185
- Dr. William Baurecht: Coordinator, National Student Exchange - baurecht@uwosh.edu
- Jenna Graff: Director, Office of International Education - graff@uwosh.edu
- Becky Triatik : Front Line Advisor - triatikr@uwosh.edu
- Brian Mylrea: International Student Advisor - mylreab@uwosh.edu
- Karlin Stukenberg: Program Manager - stukenbk@uwosh.edu
To reach someone at UW Oshkosh outside of normal office hours
University Police: 1 (920) 424-1216
To reach local contacts associated with our program ABROAD
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, International Affairs Division
Address: 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, JAPAN 874-8577
Tel: 011-81-97-778-1122 or 011-81-977-78-1101
Fax: 011-81-97-778-1123 or 011-81-977-78-1102
Email: intl@apu.ac.jp
Time Zone Differences
This page was last updated on: November 12, 2008