Sophia University - Summer Program

City: Tokyo Country: Japan

Sophia University - Summer Program Website

Overview

Since its foundation in 1961, Sophia University's Summer Session in East Asian Studies has allowed the participants to study in Japan and explore the country's relationship to Asia and the rest of the world. By studying at the Yotsuya campus in the heart of Tokyo, students experience various aspects of Japanese culture and society and witness the myriad ways in which all world cultures are reflected in the maze-like urban landscape of Tokyo.

When Can I Go?

Terms Offered: Summer

Dates & Duration:

East Asian Studies & Japanese Language Courses

End of June - mid-July (3 weeks)

Ualberta Application Deadline: Feb. 2, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

Open to: All Faculties

Level: Undergraduate, Graduate

See Eligibility.

*Sophia Summer Program admission GPA is 2.8.

Program Information

Language of Instruction: English, Japanese

Sophia University Credit Information

Sophia University - Summer Program Information

There is a wide range of courses to choose from. More important, however, are the ways the courses are linked with what it is possible to see and do in Tokyo. Among the special tours planned are visits to the Meiji Shrine and the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It is also possible to experience firsthand a range of traditional Japanese arts: Noh, Kabuki, the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and a variety of Japanese arts on display at Tokyo museums. The Summer Session also enables participants to experience many different perspectives on Japan. The faculty represent diverse cultural backgrounds, and students from roughly a dozen countries participate in the Summer Session each year.

For the East Asian Studies program, students can choose from the following courses:

2 credits for 1 course:

・Education in Japan

・Global Sustainability Outlook and Practice in Japan
・Modern History of Japan
・Japanese Language and Culture
・Japanese Popular Culture
・Japanese Literature and the City
・Japanese Theater
・Contemporary Japanese Society
・Contemporary Chinese Society
・Perspectives in Intercultural Communication: Japanese Communication and Culture
・Chado, the Way of Tea and Japanese Culture
・Food and Social Issues in Japanese Literature and Film

1 credit for 1 course:

First steps in Japanese

Japanese Language Program

This three-week, three-credit summer session is designed for students willing to work hard to improve their Japanese language ability through an intensive program organized in Japan. Based on placement test results, students will be placed in classes of four proficiency levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Students study Japanese in an international environment in the heart of Tokyo.

Read more about the program, schedule, and courses here.

2024 Fees & Costs

Fees to be updated by partner university for 2025

Education Abroad Nomination Fee: $250.00 CAD

Program Fee (EXCH 811): $1,459.89 CAD

Accommodation: ¥189,000 JPY (approx. $2,100 CAD)

PROGRAM TOTAL: Approx. $3809.89 CAD

Important Fee Information:

International students will be subject to the international differential fee
Fees are subject to change without notice.

Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and any additional costs, including visa fees, vaccinations, medical coverage, books and supplies, meals, entertainment, and incidental expenses.

Yuichi Kurimoto Award for Japan Business Students: Bachelor of Commerce students may be eligible for a fully funded experience. Award value will be dependent on the length of the program and program costs.

Housing

Participants need to arrange their housing. Sophia's dorm is not available to short program participants. A list of the accommodations where the former participants stayed is available here.