Semester and Year Exchanges
Eastern Michigan University students may attend Kansai Gaidai University for one or two semesters for a cost equivalent to the costs at Eastern Michigan University. Students pay for EMU tuition and fees, plus modest program and service fees. The courses taken at Kansai Gaidai appear on the EMU transcript as EMU courses. Students may select courses to count towards a major, minor or General Education requirements.
Hirakata
Kansai Gaidai is located in the city of Hirakata, which has a population of about 405,000. Hirakata is situated between Osaka, Japan's second largest city, and Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, making it a great place from which to start your travels through Japan. Nara, a city even older than Kyoto, is also not far from Kansai Gaidai.
The University
Kansai Gaidai was established in 1945 as a small private language school with the goal of promoting international education. It is now a private, non-profit university with a student population of around 13,000 divided amongst its four facilities. Kansai Gaidai has a strong international student population with students representing 266 institutions from 33 different countries.
Daily Life A great option for international students is the Homestay Program which places students with a Japanese family. This allows the student deeper insight into Japanese culture and provides constant exposure to the language. Students may also choose to live in international student housing and cook their own meals. For the students who choose to stay in student housing, there is an optional Home Visit Program which allows them to experience Japanese family life through weekend visits.
Visit the Kansai Gaidai University Web-site:
Kansai Gaidai University
For further information and applications:
- Academic Programs Abroad103 Boone Hall
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Telephone: 734.487.2424 or 800.777.3541
fax: 734.487.4377
- E-mail: Programs Abroad
