About the Program

 

Dates

May 21, 2023-June 21, 2024
The Summer Program in Kyoto runs every year for 5 weeks in Kyoto, Japan at Ritsumeikan University. The program runs from May to June each year. 

Curriculum

  1. Japanese Language Class
    • Taught in Japanese
    • Comprehensive introduction to Japanese language to build a strong foundation for Japanese studies
    • Class contents: Conversation, reading, writing
  2. Japan Studies
    • Class contents: lecture on Japanese culture by masters well respected in their fields
    • Field work to various cultural spots in Kyoto such as Kinkakuji Temple, tea ceremony, Wadaiko (Japanese traditional drums), and much more. (*Destinations are subject to change)
    • Opportunity to interact with Ritsumeikan BUDDYs

Accommodation

Students will have options.

  1. Stay at the designated hotel (single room), or
  2. Arrange your own accommodation
    <Conditions>
    • Within Kyoto city and easy to commute to Ritsumeikan within approx. 30 min.
    • Stay in the same facility during the program period.
    • In order to receive the notification of acceptance, inform the name, address and contact info of your lodging to Ritsumeikan University.

Program Costs

The cost of the Ritsumeikan Summer Japanese Program for 2024 is as follows. Costs shown are approximate and subject to change.

  1. Program Fee: $ 2, 950
    -Program Fee (JPY 323,500)
  2. Accommodation Fee: TBA
    -Designated hotel (JPY TBA)
  3. Education Abroad Nomination Fee: $250
  4. Airfare (Edmonton-Osaka-Edmonton): $2,000~
  5. Other Expenses: $1,000
    -Travel Insurance/Local Transportation/Food/Entertainment, etc...

*the monetary amounts based on the exchange rate of February 2024 and are subject to change.

Application Deadline

February 28, 2024

How to Apply

Note: Tuition and fees for this study abroad program are NOT eligible for tax credit. Revenue Canada stipulates that programs where tuition and fees are paid to a host institution outside of Canada, and are less than 13 weeks in duration, are not eligible and will not appear on your UofA tax credit (Form T2202A).

Eligibility

To be considered and accepted to the Summer Program in Kyoto, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria below:

  1. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be eligible to apply for this program.
  2. Applicants must be post-secondary students and currently registered at an accredited university in Canada. 
  3. Candidates are expected to have taken at least JAPAN 102 or equivalent.
  4. Students who have resided in Japan for more than one year will not be considered. 

Credit Transfer Information for Summer Program in Kyoto

All students must achieve a minimum grade of C from Ritsumeikan University in order to be considered for transfer credit. The Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta has pre-approved the courses offered in the Ritsumeikan University Summer Language Program for University of Alberta transfer credit in JAPAN 2XX (*6) or JAPAN 3XX (*6). Please note that these transfer credits are not guaranteed to satisfy the requirements of your degree. The Department of East Asian Studies, in particular, does not accept credits in JAPAN 2XX or 3XX as substitutes for JAPAN 201, 202, 301, or 302. You should first consult with an advisor in your department/faculty to ensure that the preapproved credit outlined here is applicable to your degree program. A Permission to Participate Form must be signed by your faculty prior to your participation in the program (please see "How to Apply" details). If you are a participant from another Canadian institution, consult with your university for credit transfer details.

Travel Awards for the Summer Program in Kyoto

Here are some of the travel awards available for students participating in the Summer Program in Kyoto:
The Prince Takamado Japan Canada Memorial Fund Summer Travel Award
Value: $850 CAD each
Awards: Up to Six (6)
Open to: Undergraduate students participating in the Ritsumeikan Summer Program in Kyoto who have a minimum GPA of 2.5. This award is not limited to residents of Canada.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the prerequisites for the summer program?
     Please see the 'Eligibility' section.
  2. Do we need to submit an official transcript, or can it be unofficial?
    University transcripts must be official ones. The transcript from high school may be unofficial if official ones are hard to obtain.
  3. Will the students travel together or separately? Can I travel in Japan and/or to other countries after the program?
    Students are free to book their own flights according to their desired personal schedules. The Prince Takamado Japan Centre can offer help in booking a flight if required.
    You are free to travel within Japan during your free time while you are participating in the program. However, students who require a visa to be in Japan will not be allowed to enter Japan prior to the start of the program, and must also leave immediately after the end of the program. All students are free to travel to other countries before or after the program.
  4. Do I need to be immunized before going to Japan?
    No special vaccinations are required for travel to Japan.
  5. Do I need a Visa to go Japan? What are the procedures?
    If you are a Canadian citizen, a Visa is not required.
    If you are in Canada on a Student Visa, a Visa MAY be required. Please check the following site.
    Any student that requires a Visa to enter Japan MUST make arrangements to get one before they depart from Canada. Arrangement procedures and all fees required for getting a Visa are the student's responsibility.
  6. If I withdraw from the program will I receive a refund?
     No guarantees are made, but if you withdraw before the start of the program we will try to arrange a refund of the program and accommodation fees. However, we will keep the administrative fee to cover the financial cost of taking care of the cancellation.