THE PROGRAM

The JTW program provides a comprehensive and genuine experience for international students to understand Japanese culture and society in today's world. The program offers two options for study periods: Academic Year Period and One Semester Period.

1. Study Period Options

The JTW program provides two options for study periods:

• Option 1: Academic Year Period - Fall-Winter Semester (October February) AND Spring-Summer Semester (April July)
• Option 2: One Semester Period - Fall-Winter Semester (October February) OR Spring-Summer Semester (April July)

Option 1 is the program's recommendation, as it is designed to help participants achieve the core objective of understanding Japanese culture and society over the course of one academic year.

2. Academic Learning (For Credit)

The JTW program offers various academic learning opportunities for credit, including:

2.1. Academic Policies & Requirements

• JTW M6C ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT: All students participating in the JTW program must establish and maintain full enrollment status throughout their time in the program, enrolling in a minimum of six for-credit courses each semester.
• AWARDING OF CREDIT: The JTW program awards official credit upon successful completion of courses and projects.
• CREDIT TRANSFER: Credit transfer is subject to the approval of the home university.

2.2. JTW Core Courses Required

• The JTW core courses are designed to introduce the culture, society, economy, and politics of Japan in today's world.
• Instruction is in English.
• All JTW students are required to enroll in at least TWO JTW core courses per semester towards the JTW M6C enrollment requirement.
• Each course comprises 15 class sessions, meeting once a week during a 15-week period, and is worth 2 credits (upon successful completion).

2.3. Japanese Language Courses (JACs) Optional

• JACs refer to a set of Japanese language courses designed to offer four types and up to eight levels of Japanese language lessons.
• JTW students may enroll in JACs courses as an option for meeting the JTW M6C requirement.
• Each JACs course runs as a series of small-group, interactive, and practical sessions.

2.4. Independent Study Project (ISP) Optional

• An Independent Study Project (ISP) is an optional research project for JTW students.
• The JTW faculty coordinators will help arrange a faculty member to serve as the ISP supervisor.
• The student is required to design and carry out the research project under faculty guidance.

2.5. Advanced Laboratory Research (ALR) Optional

• An ALR project is an optional opportunity for students to design and carry out a research project in a laboratory setting.
• ALR projects are conducted in English and are available to students majoring in science or engineering.
• The JTW faculty coordinators will help arrange a faculty member to serve as the ALR supervisor.

2.6. Regular Faculty Courses Optional

• Regular faculty courses refer to those offered outside the JTW program by standard faculties.
• While still limited, the number of faculty courses taught in English has been increasing.
• JTW students may enroll in these courses for credit as an option.

3. Experiential Learning (For Cultural Immersion)

The JTW program offers various experiential learning opportunities for cultural immersion, including:

3.1. JTW Field Study Trips

• The JTW program conducts a series of field study trips to help deepen understanding of Japanese culture and society.
• Typically, JTW field study trips include 8-10 trips over the course of a program year (October July), roughly at a once-a-month pace.

3.2. Student Tutor Program

• The JTW program arranges a student-to-student partnership between the participant and a Japanese student based at the Ito campus of Kyushu University.
• The student tutor provides one-on-one assistance throughout the study period.

3.3. Japanese Conversation Partner Program

• The JTW program arranges a student-to-student partnership between the participant and a Japanese student based at the Ito campus of Kyushu University.
• The student tutor provides one-on-one assistance throughout the study period.

3.4. Home Visit Program

• The JTW program arranges an introduction to a Japanese family living in the Fukuoka City area.
• The family hosts the participant on periodic weekend visits to their home throughout the year/semester.

3.5. On-Campus Exchange Activities

• The JTW program arranges and conducts activities or events to facilitate experiential learning of Japanese culture and society and to enable cross-cultural exchange with local students.
• Recent instances of such activities/events include the annual Origami workshop and the Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Survivor Symposium.

Kyushu University