Meiji Gakuin University - Yokohama Campus

Meiji Gakuin provides a tranquil campus experience while living close enough to Tokyo to head into the city on weekend days via the capital's extensive network of metro trains. There are about 12,000 MGU students between two campuses with plenty of opportunities to get involved. This is a great place to learn Japanese while also able to take interesting electives in English. 

All students are encouraged take intensive Japanese language courses and then choose from electives that have a focus on Japanese social and cultural issues in areas like economics, history, law, politics, contemporary global issues, international relations, journalism, sociology, and gender and society.

Our CIS Abroad program is located on the Yokohama campus, about an hour train ride to Tokyo, but it is important to note that Tokyo is quite large and has so much to offer in more than just the center. Downtown Yokohama meanwhile is just a half hour train ride away.

Tips from the pros! 

• There are two campuses that comprise Meiji Gakuin University, so remember to only register for courses on the Yokohama campus where your program is located. Courses on the Shirokane campus are over an hour away!
• You won't be able to miss more than 10% of the classes to earn the credits for the course. Often this means you should try not to miss greater than 3 class meetings otherwise it will impact your grade.

Add/Drops 

• You must maintain at least 12 Japanese credits at MGU to remain in compliance with your visa, but we highly recommend taking between 16-20 to insure you stay on track with your studies at your home university.
• The add/drop period is during the first week of classes. Ask any questions you have about adding and dropping during the MGU on campus orientation during which the international center staff can give you the most up to date information.
• Be aware that you might have to review alternatives with your Study Abroad advisor in your home institution 

Transcripts 

Meiji Gakuin University provides a hard copy which is mailed to CIS Abroad office about 6-9 weeks after your departure. It will be in English with the Japanese credit system, but we will mail it to the US institutions with a table for translations.

Please note that your transcript won't be release until your CIS Abroad invoice is paid in full. 

Toyo University- Hakkusan Campus

Toyo is one of the largest private universities in Japan with about 32,000 students. The university hosts many events for international students to gain firsthand experience of Japanese culture, some of which include sumo lessons, weekend homestays, an excellent language exchange partner program, and Japanese calligraphy experiences. 

Toyo has courses in a wide range of areas: art and design, education, business, communications, natural and applied sciences, social sciences, humanities and World languages. For those wishing to learn Japanese, there are courses taught at every level and a Japanese Culture and Society course that is open to all language levels.

Add / Drops 

• You must maintain at least 12 Japanese credits at Toyo University to remain in compliance with your visa, but we highly recommend taking between 16-20 to insure you stay on track with your studies at your home university
• There is no add period, and students can ONLY drop courses within the first 3 weeks of the program. For this reason we recommend that students register for more courses than they need so that you can always drop ones you don't want to continue and still maintain minimum credit requirements.
• Ask your Program Enrollment Coordinator any questions you have about registration, courses, and credit hours.
• Be aware that you might have to review alternatives with your Study Abroad advisor in your home institution 

Transcripts 

Toyo University provides password-protected digital transcript copies unless students request hard copies before the program ends. Students participating on program at Toyo will find a form on their portal specifying what transcript is needed for their school. Hard copy transcripts are mailed to CIS Abroad office about 6-9 weeks after your departure. It will be in English with the Japanese credit system, but we will mail it to the US institutions with a table for translations.

Please note that your transcript won't be release until your CIS Abroad invoice is paid in full. 

J. F. Oberlin University - Shinjuku Campus

J. F. Oberlin University's Shinkjuku campus is situated in a central location in Tokyo, a quick subway ride away from the most iconic neighborhoods - Shibuya and Shinjuku! This quiet campus is situated in a residential neighborhood, but with easy access to the more bustling areas of Tokyo. JFOU has many campuses in Tokyo neighborhoods, but the Shinjuku campus is the newest, boasting contemporary facilities, sleek architecture, and is centered around the student experience. 

Tips from the pros! 

• JFOU has a great buddy program connects CIS Abroad participants with local Japanese students. Take part in this program by attending the welcome meal and be sure to ask your buddy for their favorite food spots, entertainment venues, and any questions you have about navigating the city. Buddies are also great resources for practicing your Japanese language skills.

Add / Drops 

• Program sessions at JFOU are short-- just two weeks each! Participants will therefore have a couple of days only to switch courses if necessary. For this reason, be sure to have multiple courses approved by your home university advisor just in case.

Transcripts 

J. F. Oberlin University provides a hard copy transcript which is mailed to CIS Abroad office about 6-9 weeks after your departure. It will be in English with the Japanese credit system, but we will mail it to the US institutions with a table for translations.

Please note that your transcript won't be release until your CIS Abroad invoice is paid in full.