International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA)
iCLA is a four-year liberal arts college where the primary language of instruction is English. Just 90 minutes west of Tokyo, iCLA combines a multicultural learning environment with a beautifully traditional Japanese setting in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. iCLA has a student body comprised of 55% international students with 30+ nationalities. The student to faculty ratio is 5:1 and 88% of the faculty at iCLA have been educated overseas at some point, recognizing the importance of international study.
iCLA is located in Kofu City, the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture. Yamanashi is famed for its beautiful mountains and lakes, historic sites, hot springs, hiking trails, fruit orchards and vineyards, against the iconic backdrop of Mount Fuji. Being based in Kofu puts you right at the center of Japan with Mt. Fuji, Tokyo and Yokohama easily accessible.
You can read through this brochure for more information about the academics, campus, and life at iCLA.
Here you will find the iCLA website for incoming exchange students.
The Program and Courses
Education at iCLA contains both depth and breadth, as students study a variety of disciplines while acquiring a deep understanding of their chosen major. Students can take courses in areas such as: Global Business & Economics, Interdisciplinary Arts, Quantitative Reasoning, Health & Physical Education, Political Science, Japan Studies, Natural Science, Psychology, Sociology.
For students who would like extra help on their language studies, iCLA has a Language Acquisition Center in the iCLA building. LAC is split between the Language Media Center and the Reading Center. Inside the Language Media Center are computers and various digital materials to assist with individual language learning. At the Reading Center, students have access to an extensive library of English and Japanese language reading material.
Housing and Meals Information
Both international students and Japanese students reside together in iCLA accommodations and there are plenty of opportunities for building global friendships. Exchange students are guaranteed an individual private bedroom. Each bedroom is equipped with a bed frame, desk and chair, bookshelf, clothing rack, and air conditioner. Students are able to rent futon bedding, a mini fridge, and a bicycle.
Living spaces within the accommodations are separated between individual rooms and common areas, with several facilities to share like mini kitchens, shower rooms, and toilets. Each floor of the residence halls contains three units, and each of those units comprise of the common facilities and eight private rooms. Residents will also have access to a laundry room at all times of the day. There is wifi access in the residence halls.
Residence halls are also connected directly to the iCLA building for convenient access to the classrooms. Numerous convenience stores, cafes, and restaurants are located close by. iCLA has a spacious cafeteria providing meal services to students and staff. Students residing in the student accommodations are enrolled in a meal plan, where health-conscious and delicious meals are served three times a day on weekdays. On the meal plan, each meal is easy and cashless so you can focus on enjoying good food with good friends. iCLA aims to accommodate every student’s dietary needs and restrictions in the meal plan. For students whose dietary restrictions iCLA unfortunately cannot provide for, there is a spacious studio kitchen in the cafeteria with capacity for several students to cook at once.
Please visit the iCLA website on Campus Life for more detailed information.
Program Video
JASSO Scholarship
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers scholarships for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese university under a student exchange agreement between the Japanese university and their home higher educational institution outside Japan. Exchange students may be eligible to apply for the JASSO scholarship. Selected students will receive a monthly stipend of 80,000 yen for each full month of study at iCLA.
For more information on the JASSO Scholarship, please visit the JASSO Scholarship website on the Student Exchange Support Program.
Visa Information
All participants in this program are required to apply for and obtain a student visa at the Consulate General of Japan in New York City prior to departure for Japan. This can be done in person or by mail. Instructions for obtaining the student visa will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Note: Non-US passport holders may require different procedures.
For further details on the student visa process, please visit the website for the Consulate of Japan in New York for the long term student visa.
Flight and Arrival Information
Students in this program will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements. There are two airports to choose from: Haneda and Narita. Students will then take either a train or bus from the airport to the iCLA campus. More information on how to access the iCLA campus from the airport will be given after acceptance to the program.
Costs (budget sheet)
Select your term of interest for the latest budget information.
Insurance
All students are covered by full health, evacuation and repatriation insurance.
Host Country Health Insurance
Exchange students are required to have Japanese National Health Insurance in addition to the insurance provided by SUNY. You will be automatically enrolled in it after you have registered at Kofu City Hall upon arrival with the help of iCLA staff during orientation.
Financial Aid
Students currently receiving financial aid can use their aid for overseas study, and may, in some cases, have their awards increased. Students not currently receiving financial aid may be eligible. Those interested in financial aid for this program should contact the financial aid office on their home campus.
Applications
Students must have completed one full year at their current institution before they are eligible to participate in this program.
Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis. Please contact the program coordinator for further details.
A non-refundable deposit of $250, applicable to the program cost, must be paid within 14 days of acceptance to the program in order to secure program participation. Any deviation from program requirements must be requested in writing and authorized by the Director of International Education and Programs before the final payment date.
Updated: 9/292021
