Kansai Gaidai University – Exchange Program in Language and Culture

Program Terms

• 1 year or 1 semester (fall or spring).
• Kansai Gaidai fall semester: Late August – Late December
• Kansai Gaidai spring semester: Late January – Late May

School Information

• Located in Hirakata City, in close proximity to Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya.
• Students join the Asian Studies program.
• Housing options: homestay or dorm. (NOTE: It is not uncommon for students to have commutes of approximately one hour to campus.)
• Kansai Gaidai University Asian Studies Program Website

This study abroad program at Kansai Gaidai University is located midway between Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, and Osaka, the mercantile and comedy center of Japan. Students take Japanese language courses and Asian-studies related electives taught in English (e.g., political science, art history, anthropology, manga drawing, among many others). The program accepts a variable number of students yearly selected by Japanese Studies. Students take Japanese language courses + (English) electives, all of which count towards UFGPA credit. The Asian Studies program at Kansai Gaidai runs on the American academic calendar.

Requirements and Application

• Minimum UF GPA of 3.00.
• Letter Grade B or higher in their most recent language class.
• Must have completed at least 2 semesters of Japanese by arrival date.
• Have successfully completed at least one year (preferably two years) of academic study at a college or university-level institution at the time of application.
• Priority will be given to current Japanese majors, then minors, then students enrolled in Japanese courses, then all other UF students.
• Apply directly to UFIC (UFIC Kansai Gaidai Study Abroad Program Page.)