Japan: Akita International University

‌Thought of as the top international studies university in Japan, Akita offers English taught courses in Japan Studies, Japanese Language, Basic Education, Global Business or Global Studies. Akita boasts a state-of-the-art sports facility in conjunction to owning easy access to the areas hiking trails, golf courses, and shopping malls. As a leading Liberal Arts University in Japan, Akita places emphasis on a well-rounded humanities education.

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Spring 2024
App Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, April 1 to Friday, July 26, 2024

Term: Summer 2024
App Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, June 17 to Saturday, July 26, 2024 (tentative)

‌Apply Now

Location

AIU is located in Akita city (population about 313,000), the capital of Akita prefecture (population about 1,010,000), an ideally-sized city to provide the opportunity to get immersed in the friendly, local culture while also offering convenient access to international goods and services.

A state-of-the-art sports facility, hiking, cycling, golf courses, and a large shopping mall, are all in the vicinity of our campus. The university organizes various events, activities, and field trips providing students with hands-on experience in Japanese culture.

Akita prefecture is known for its natural beauty and resources. The university is located close to ski areas, scenic hiking opportunities, and the Sea of Japan coastline. Akita is particularly famous in Japan for producing the country's most delicious rice and sake, as well as for the beauty of its people. The university is easily accessible from Akita International Airport, with flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Seoul, Korea.

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Academics

Akita International University's exciting and rigorous academic programs offer opportunities for international students to gain vital and exploratory knowledge about Japan and the world. Akita International University offers extensive programs in Japanese Studies and Japanese Language for international students. They offer Japanese language courses at various levels to provide the most appropriate instruction for all exchange students.
For courses in English or Japanese, AIU's curriculum is divided into five categories:

Japanese Studies courses
Japanese Language courses
Basic Education courses
Global Business Program
Global Studies Program

UNI students typically take four to five courses each semester with one class hour equaling 50 minutes.

Calculation of one credit is based on the following conditions:
a) One credit for a lecture class requires 15 class hours per semester
b) One credit for an experimental, laboratory or an activity course requires 30 class hours per semester
c) One credit for a seminar requires 15-30 class hours per semester

For info on grading scale and credit conversion please visit https://web.aiu.ac.jp/en/academic/grading-system/

Participant Info

Important information to review:

Review the roles of the Advisee and the Advisor under the main menu Get Started

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Japan.

Housing & Meals

Housing:

Akita International University's housing facilities have students live together with students from various cultural backgrounds as a critical part of the international experience. All students, whether degree-seeking or short-term exchange, are guaranteed housing in one of the following dormitories:

Komachi Dormitory
Global Village Apartments
Sakura Village Apartments

Students have the opportunity to express their room preference on the Housing Application Form. AIU will consider student housing preferences and other information carefully (please note that we cannot always meet students’ requests). Individuals who need special arrangements or a particular room assignment for special circumstances (physical or medical condition, etc.) should request that in advance and supply an official document, such as medical doctor’s report, to verify their condition.

Meals:

AIU offers students the meals options to have a 21-Meal Plan for 21 meals per week, 3 meals per day or the 10-Meal Plan for 10 meals per week, typically lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday. Students also have the option to cook on their own or purchase individual meals from the Cafeteria in cash. There are two main dining spaces on-campus: the Cafeteria and the College Cafe. The Cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to residential students. Meal costs are approximately:

Breakfast: 310 JPY
Lunch: 410 JPY
Dinner: 410 JPY

Summer School

Akita International University's exciting and rigorous academic programs offer opportunities for international students to gain vital and exploratory knowledge about Japan and the world. Akita International University offers extensive programs in Japan Studies and Japanese Language for international students. They offer Japanese language courses at various levels to provide the most appropriate instruction for all exchange students.

AIU's Summer Program is a six-week, six-credit, intensive Japanese language program designed for highly motivated undergraduate students around the world. Participants can take courses taught by experienced Japanese instructors to hone their Japanese language skills in a small class environment.

Students are assigned double rooms in Komachi Hall. Each student will have a chance to have a Japanese roommate and/or suitemate(s): a roommate is a student who shares a room and a bathroom, and a suitemate is a student who shares only a bathroom. Specific room assignments and information about your roommate/suitemate(s) will be announced upon your arrival. We are not able to provide the information such as name, nationality, and contact address of your roommate/ suitemate(s) in advance. We are not able to offer single rooms except in special circumstances because of limited room availability. The program fee includes a meal plan at the Cafeteria, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to residential students.

Akita Cost Estimate Summer 2023 (PDF)

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $13,031*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$13,031
Estimated U-bill Charges	$5,265
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$7,766

Akita Cost Estimate Spring 2024 (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,824
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$887
Transportation	$350
Total	$11,325

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/costs

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.