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Nanzan University
Nagoya, Japan
(pop. 2.3 million)
Student Enrollment: 10,000
Language of instruction: Japanese in the regular undergraduate and graduate programs
English at the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS)
www.nanzan-u.ac.jp
Center for Japanese Studies
PROGRAM TYPE
ISEP-Exchange: Semester only
ISEP-Exchange for International students; chance of placement is limited.
ISEP-Exchange for US students; chance of placement is limited.
Chance of Placement
ISEP-Exchange chance of placement for US students is generally Limited.
ISEP-Exchange chance of placement for I-to-I students is generally Limited.
Exchange space typically fills during the February placement round. Students should apply for spring semester programs by February 1.
For the most current chances of placement, see the Sites Open for Applications for US Students or Sites Open for I-to-I Applications.
Courses
The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) offers intensive language instruction, lecture courses in Japanese Area Studies, Japanese Art courses, field trips and guided independent study. The CJS program has been a leader in Japanese language studies since its founding in 1974. The goal of the center is to help each student develop a better understanding of the Japanese people and language. By living and learning in Japan, students experience the "real Japan" together with a wide cross-section of people from other countries and cultures. The result is a dynamic group of students from many different backgrounds united in their goal to discover Japan.
Special Academic Conditions
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in a 4.0 scale.
Special ISEP Application Instructions
Students applying for Nanzan must submit a Language Proficiency Report, even if no Japanese has been taken.
The CJS, Nanzan University application forms must be completed and submitted to Nanzan University after confirmation of placement.
Language Notes
Intensive Japanese language courses are offered for all levels.
Note: The host institution ultimately determines your proficiency level and course eligibility.
Program Dates
Semester 1: September to December; Semester 2: January to May.
Housing and Meals
Housing options include home-stays, off-campus international residence halls, and private dormitories. Students living with host families eat meals with their families, while those living in dormitories are provided with monthly allowances to cover room rent and meals. Depending on dormitory facilities, students can cook their own meals or dine in nearby restaurants.
Student Activities
Students at the Center for Japanese Studies can enjoy culturally rich activities at Nanzan University. Center students have the opportunity to tour the assembly plant of the world-famous Toyota Motors, where they can learn about the automotive industry as well as Toyota's vehicle production and corporate management. Students can choose to spend an evening enjoying the classical Japanese art of Kabuki or an unforgettable visit to the Zen Buddhist monastery. A visit to the famous Noritake china craft center and museum gives students an opportunity to make ceramic wares.
In the one-day bus tour, students have a chance to visit historically rich and beautiful places such as Kyoto, and the Shinto shrines at Ise, Takayama as well as other interesting places and World Heritage sites.
Center students have a lot of opportunities to interact with Japanese students at informal coffee hours held once or twice a month. Recently, activities have included cooking, origami, playing kurata (a Japanese card game) and international students’ introduction to their home countries and their universities.
Profile
From modest beginnings as a College of Foreign Languages in 1946, Nanzan has grown into a full-fledged university with a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. Nanzan's educational philosophy is summed up in its motto Hominis Dignitati (for human dignity) and represented in its objectives as a Catholic university: Christian spirit, academic excellence, international awareness, and service to community.
Nanzan University is part of a complex of educational establishments gathered under the organizational umbrella of Nanzan Gakuen. This educational complex consists of a women's junior college, three junior and senior high schools, and an elementary school, in addition to the university. The university has seven faculties, four research institutes, and five centers specializing in overseas area studies. Student enrollment: approximately 10,000.
Location
The university is located in Nagoya and is easily accessible by subway train and bus. Nagoya, in Central Japan, is one of the country's leading metropolises of international trade, industry and culture. Its strategic geographical location makes access to other big cities like Tokyo and Osaka easy. Direct flights to Nagoya from numerous major cities around the world are available.
Nagoya enjoys a temperate climate. Summers (July, August) are hot and very humid, with August temperatures averaging about 35 degrees centigrade. The winter (December--February) is chillier than the thermometer might indicate because of the cold north winds. However, there are relatively few days of snow. Heavy rains occur in the June rainy season, and it also rains frequently in September. Temperatures during the spring season from March to May are very comfortable while the autumn season from September to November can be rather cool, with temperatures averaging about 17 degrees centigrade.
What Past Students have to Say
Before coming to Nanzan, I heard nothing but amazing things about their program. A teacher of mine who was an alum of the program gave it an especially glowing recommendation. To say the least, my expectations were very high. I am happy to say that Nanzan was more than what I had expected.
Yes, the Japanese program was excellent. Not everything was done in a way I was accustomed to, but that was all the better. I grew a lot not just in terms of Japanese ability but also as a student, in large part because of the need to adapt to a different approach to education.
While the Japanese language class is half of the academic experience at Nanzan, I think it is important to point out how good the other half can be. Not all the classes are created equal, but they all have contributed to my understanding of Japan or Japanese in some way.
This is not even enough to mention the abundance of amazing non-academic opportunities Nanzan provides. My time at Nanzan has been a fun, stressful year in which I have learned a great deal. So coming full circle, I offer the same kind of glowing recommendation my Japanese teacher gave me.
Jonathan Edward Bekker CJS Class of 2008-2009
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