Japan: Akita International University

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 programs
• Global Studies programs

UNI students typically take four to five courses each semester. Each class hour is 50 minutes.

Credits:

Most courses will be 3 credits at UNI (3 hours per week and 45 hours for the semester), though not always.

Grades:
A+                     = A
A (Excellent)     = A
A-                      = A-
B+                     = B+
B (Good)           = B
B-                      = B-
C+                     = C+
C (Satisfactory) = C
C-                      = C-
D+                     = D+
D (Poor)            = D
F (Failure)         = F

For one UNI credit, use the following:
a) 15 class hours for a lecture class
b) 30 class hours an experimental, laboratory or an activity course
c) 15-30 class hours for a seminar

For more information on the grading system, see Akita's page.

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Japan, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more.  From the application process to financial assistance to preparing for your journey abroad, Stephanie will be with you every step of the way providing guidance and reassurance.

Important information to Review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

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

Immigration Information:

Students going to Japan for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa. 

Your Study Abroad Advisor will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

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 they 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.

Meals:

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

Meal costs are approximately:

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

 Visit  AIU's Dining Information page to learn more! 

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. All Japanese language courses are held at various levels to provide the most appropriate instruction for all 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 apply 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 Summer 2025 Cost Estimate (PDF)