Akita International University |
Program & Courses |
Housing & Meals |
Visa |
Flights & Arrival |
Costs |
Insurance |
National Health Insurance |
Financial Aid |
Applications
Akita International University
Within the Akita prefecture, in the northeastern part of Honshu Island on the Japan Sea, 400 miles north of Tokyo, lies Akita City, the capital of Akita prefecture. Akita International University's (AIU) campus is located 30-40 minutes south of Akita City's center, by car. From various mountain ranges and nearby cedar forests, to colorful rice fields and the Omono River (one of the largest rivers in Japan), AIU is surrounded by natural settings. "A truly distinctive feature of AIU is the view of ancient cherry trees blossoming against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, which can be seen from the campus each spring".
The Program and Courses
The Program
Students attending Akita International University will be directly enrolled in the university and sit among Japanese students as well as other international students from an elite network of universities throughout the world. All of our undergraduate students spend a year studying abroad, and about a quarter of our student body is made up of international exchange students (187 students from 31 countries, as of Fall 2019). This truly international academic community, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, a diverse faculty with over half of our faculty hailing from overseas, and innovative programs, makes it an ideal place to study.
Courses
All courses are taught in English which makes the program at AIU unique and accommodating to students who do not have a sufficient level of Japanese language.
Students may choose from a wide variety of courses in the following disciplines:
Japan Studies, Japanese Language, Global Business, Global Studies and/or Basic Education (Liberal Arts).
A general overview of the
academics at AIU is a great place to get started when planning your semester.
Here are some other helpful resources:
Housing and Meals Information
Students will be housed in on-campus residence halls in double-occupancy rooms alongside Japanese and other international students.
Students will have their meals at the on-campus cafeteria for the first two weeks of the program. After the first two weeks, students have the option to purchase a meal plan of their choice.
NOTE: The cost for housing and meals noted on the program budget sheet is based on the highest possible costs provided by AIU. You have the opportunity to choose your housing and meal plan once you are accepted into the 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 via mail. Instructions on obtaining the student visa will be provided upon acceptance to the program. Note: Non-US passport holders may require different procedures. A student will not be able to apply for the student visa until he/she receives the official letter of acceptance from AIU, the Certificate of Eligibility is a letter issued by the immigration office in Japan.
For further details on the student visa process you may begin reading at: Consulate General of Japan long term student visa.
Flight and Arrival Information
Students in this program will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements to Japan's Akita Airport (IATA), the airport is about 10 minutes by car from AIU. Students arriving on the official program arrival date will be provided with transportation from the airport to their on-campus residence hall assignment.
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
In addition, student's on this program must be enrolled in their host country's mandatory health insurance.
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
Due to overseas university requirements, community college students are not allowed to participate. Please consider applying for the program once you are at a four year college or university.
Late applications are 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: 10/1/2021
