Asia in Today’s World(ATW) 2015

Asia in Today's World (ATW) is a Japanese language & Asian studies summer program in English for university students in any major. Overview

Eligibility for Admission

To be considered for admission to ATW, applicants must be: •currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited university or college outside Japan;

•in good academic standing (with a grade point average of 3.2 out of 4.0 or higher);

•proficient in English for academic purposes (if a non- native speaker, able to demonstrate a TOEFL PBT score of at least 550 or the equivalent); and

•planning to continue university study following ATW.

Number of Students to be admitted up to 40 students

ATW Academic Program

The ATW curriculum design provides a uniquely productive educational experience relating Asian Studies courses (ASCs) to Japanese Language courses (JLCs) in a synergistic learning opportunity for students. As they broaden and deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan and its neighboring countries through the ASC offerings, students are made aware of the various sociocultural contexts of communication, thereby enhancing their synthetic understanding of the Japanese language as developed in the JLCs.

The program requires students to enroll for credit in two of four available Asian Studies offerings (see below) and in one skill level-appropriate Japanese language course. Selections should accord with the student's home university study plan. Those who satisfy all ATW expectations will be awarded a certificate of program completion in recognition of their effort. (Students must fulfill 85% attendance for each registered course.)

Asian Studies Courses (ASCs)

ASCs give ATW a distinction as a comprehensive academic program studying on Japanese language and sociocultural background of the country. The field of study is not limited to Japan but covers Asia and the Pacific, which are increasingly playing an important role in the world. It will be a valuable asset of the program that the students will be able to approach Asia and Japan from various directions. ASCs, taught in English, are presented by emininent scholar-specialists invited from around the world.

ASC offerings for 2015:

AS1501: Japan in East-Asia: the Dynamics of Politics and Society

AS1502: Death in Traditional Japanese Literature in the Asian Context

AS1503: Development in Asia and a Globalizing World

AS1504: Aging, Generations & the Life Course in East Asia: A Sociological Introduction

Japanese Language Courses (JLCs)

Japanese Language instruction is offered from beginning through advanced levels. Elementary aim to improve students' abilities to the point where they can cope practically with the communicative demands of a home stay or the experiences of daily life in Japan. In the intermediate and more advanced courses, students will learn how to give a presentation in Japanese and debate on various subjects relating to Japanese society or culture.

Study Trips

Several study trips will be held during the program. Each excursion is planned in the expectation that students are able to experience some part of Japanese culture and the Japanese aesthetic sense. The following study trips are planned to be held. Study trips registration form will be sent to successful candidates. Please click each study trip to open a popup window for more information.

World heritage sites in Hiroshima Fee: 25,000 yen

Farming work experience Fee: 1,000 yen

Japanese traditional culture  Fee: 500 yen

(* The study trip fees are subject to change. )

Are you interested what those trips looked like? Please visit the ATW Photo Albums

ATW2007

ATW2008

Accommodation

Four options will be offered to participants: •Option 1—four weeks in an off-campus dormitory*; three, in a home stay

•Option 2—four weeks in a local hotel**; three, in a home stay

•Option 3—seven weeks in an off-campus dormitory

•Option 4—seven weeks in a hotel

*An off-campus dormitory is located in 50 minutes by train and walking from the University.

** The hotel reserved by ATW is located in 7 minutes walk from the University.

Accommodation fee varies depending on the option. The price range is approximately from 150,000JPY (min) to 240,000JPY (max).

Tuition and Fees

*Fees are subject to change

Program fees: 91,800 JPY including:

- tuition for taking 3 courses (6 credits), which is the requirement for completing the ATW program and

- insurance charge for Kyushu University Emergency Secure Plan for International Students

Estimated costs for participating in ATW, excluding the program fees •150,000-240,000 JPY  for accommodation

• 10,000-30,000 JPY for commuting expenses (by public transportation)

• 3,000 JPY for a Japanese language text book

• 24,500JPY for lunch and dinner at a university cafeteria (700yen x 35days)

•28,000 JPY for three optional study trips

These costs are merely indicative. Personal expenses and expensese for a round-trip airline ticket are not included in the costs mentioned above.

Scholarships

Kyushu University offers a limited number of scholarships, of 150,000JPY each, to students who present a strong undergraduate academic record. All applicants are considered; recipients are selected by the University

Peer Tutors

One-to-one assitance by a peer tutor is offered to ATW students. Peer tutors are Kyushu University students and will look after you and help you settle in by picking you up from the airport, helping you explore Fukuoka city or a festival held during your stay on ATW.

Credit Transfer

Credits and grades earned by participants for ATW courses will be reported to their home universities upon request. Students should consult with their academic advisors about the possibilities and procedures of credit and grade transfer before coming to Japan.

ATW was launched in 2001. Since its establishment, the program has been offering undergraduate level courses about the past, present and future of Asia and Japan. ATW is open to university students from all over the world, and around 40 participants gathered to ATW each year. For the last years, students have participated from many prestigious universities in the Asia-Pacific regions. You can see which universities they came from in the list below.

Kyushu University, home to ATW, itself dates from 1911, when it was founded as one of Japan’s original seven imperial universities. It has grown considerably in its first 100 years and now includes 11 undergraduate schools, 18 graduate schools, four research institutes and a hospital. Total student enrollment currently exceeds 18,800, while instructional staff number over 2,000. Some 1,900 international students from more than 80 countries are studying presently at Kyushu University.

Kyushu University is located in Fukuoka, a pleasant coastal city of 1.5 million people and the largest metropolis on the island of Kyushu. Thanks to its favorable location close to China and Korea, the city has prospered as Japan’s gateway to continental Asia from ancient times. In light of Fukuoka’s special history and strategic position, Kyushu University has made a focus on Asia part of its educational mission.