Hendrix-in-Nishinomiya is an exchange partnership with Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) in Nishinomiya, Japan. Located between Osaka and Kobe in the Kansai region, Nishinomiya offers a blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern living. KGU’s Uegahara campus is known for its beautiful grounds, academic excellence, and the supportive environment provided to international students. In Nishinomiya, you can enjoy scenic spots like Mount Rokko and local parks, while also exploring Japanese culture through events like festivals and trips to nearby historical sites. The city’s proximity to Osaka and Kobe makes it easy to experience urban life, while still enjoying a peaceful, student-friendly atmosphere.
Academics
Academic calendar: The academic calendar in Japan begins in the spring. Hendrix students can study at KGU during the summer, spring semester, or for the U.S. academic year. The typical program dates are:
Academic Year: early September – early August
Spring: mid-March – early August
Summer: early June – early July (see KGU Summer School for all program details)
Courses: For semester programs, students can choose between two study tracks. 1) The “Modern Japan Track” is for students who wish to learn about Japan through English-taught courses in a variety of subject areas (Japanese language proficiency is not required). 2) The “Japanese Language Track” is for students who wish to focus on Japanese language studies. Students in this track must be able to fluently read, write, understand, and pronounce Hiragana and Katakana scripts and will need to pass a pre-departure placement exam.
In additional to Japanese language and Japan Studies courses, students will find English-taught elective courses across the broad categories of Business & Society, Language & Communication, Media & Culture, and Politics & History. STEM courses are not available. Please refer to the “Course List” pages in KGU’s Contemporary Japan Program (CJP) brochure.
Grades/credits: Students must take a cull course load of 13 KGU credits and must earn the equivalent of a “C” or better in each course to be awarded a full course load of transfer credit. Hendrix policies on transfer credit apply. Grades will not appear on the student’s transcript and do not figure into the cumulative GPA.
The Center for International Education and Cooperation is the primary resource for accessibility questions and services.
Housing & Meals
Hendrix students often live in KGU-arranged accommodation* in an International Residence or another residence open to exchange students. These residences typically include single-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms and shared kitchen/dining, laundry, and lounge spaces. Student housing is spread throughout the city (approx. 5-35 minutes), but students should expect to have a commute. Walking and public transit (train, bus) are commonly used modes of transportation by locals and visiting students.
KGU also has a homestay program which provides a private room with a Japanese family and some meals, whoever, spaces are extremely limited and placement is not guaranteed.
Many students buy groceries and cook on their own. Students may also opt into their residence hall’s meal plan, if available. KGU also has a couple cafeterias on campus where students can purchase individual meals.
*Note from KGU: All nominated students will be eligible to apply for KGU-arranged accommodation. The KGU Residence Center will make every effort to accommodate as many students as possible. Students who cannot be placed by KGU will need to refer to their guidance notes on securing self-arranged accommodation in Hyogo Prefecture, near the campus.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
Students will owe Hendrix tuition and fees during their semester(s) abroad at KGU, but not room and board. Students may request that the lump sum of their housing fees, which are established by the provider in Japan, be invoiced to Hendrix so they can be applied to the student account. Any required housing deposits must be paid by the students in order to confirm their participation and secure a housing placement. Hendrix charges an administrative fee of $500/semester abroad, excluding summer programs.
Normally, all financial aid applies, including Hendrix scholarships. Students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid with any questions about their aid package.
Non-billable expenses students should budget for include roundtrip airfare, passport and visa fees/travel (if required), all meals, incidental expenses (local transit, textbooks, etc.) and personal expenses. Students residing in Japan for longer than 3 months are required to purchase Japanese National Health Insurance on arrival.
Application Procedures
Students must first submit an internal application for study away. Internal applications are due in early November for the upcoming summer abroad and in late January for the upcoming academic year abroad. The Committee for International & Intercultural Studies (CIIS) reviews all applications and clears students to move forward in the application process. Approved students will receive a Study Away Student Handbook and instructions for submitting the program-specific application directly to the partner institution for consideration. Partner institutions make all final admissions decisions.
GPA requirement: 2.5
Entry Requirements
All travelers are required to have a valid passport. U.S. citizens pursuing the spring semester or academic year in Japan must also obtain a visa before they depart the U.S. The Consulate General of Japan in Nashville has consular jurisdiction for permanent residents of Arkansas. Aoyama Gakuin University and the Office of International Programs at Hendrix provide supporting documentation and general guidance, but it is each student’s responsibility to research their entry requirements based on their personal circumstances and obtain a visa following official acceptance by the partner institution and receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility for the visa.
International students who are not U.S. citizens will need to research the entry requirements for citizens of their country. F-1 visa holders must discuss maintaining status with their Designated School Official in the Office of International Programs.
Program & Country Resources