Kansai is Japan's second largest urban region following the Tokyo metropolitan area. Rich in historic architecture and cultural treasures, this region is ideal for learning about Japanese culture.

Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) is a private institution of higher education located in Nishinomiya city in the Kansai region of Japan. KGU has a student body of approximately 25,000 students and is a short train ride away from the famous tourist destinations of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. For more information: ciec.kwansei.ac.jp/study/exchange. 

Courses

Students typically take 16 credits of KGU classes (equivalent to 4 Hendrix credits) in either the Japanese Language Track or Modern Japan Track programs.

Language Skills

For the Japanese Language Track program, students must be able to read, write, and pronounce Japanese hiragana and katakana. For the Modern Japan Track, no language proficiency is required. Classes are taught in English.

Grades/Credits

Students must earn the equivalent of a "C" or better to be awarded transfer credit. Grades do not appear on the Hendrix transcript and do not figure into students' cumulative GPA.

Costs

Students will pay normal Hendrix tuition. Currently, room, board, health insurance, school fees, books, and miscellaneous expenses are estimated at 693,500 JPY per semester.  Each individual student is also responsible for airfare to Japan, visa costs, and personal spending money. 

Financial Aid

Normally, all financial aid applies to tuition, including Hendrix scholarships. Students must pay room and board to KGU. Students are encouraged to verify their situation through the Hendrix Financial Aid Office. 

Visas

Students are required to secure a student visa to study in Japan. This can be issued through the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville: https://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html

Lodging/Food

Most students live in the International Dorm at KGU in a suite of 4-5 students with a single room and a shared kitchen and living space. 

Academic Calendar

The fall semester at KGU runs from early September to late January. The spring semester is from late March to late July. Students can only attend spring semester or full year.