Program Description

Study in Tokyo at Sophia University, one of Japan's leading universities. Designed for students in the humanities, social sciences, business, and language studies, this program is ideal for students interested in taking courses in English while studying Japanese language.

With a population of about 14 million, rising to nearly 20 million during workdays, Tokyo is the quintessential metropolis. The city boasts an outstanding art and cultural scene, including libraries, museums, art galleries, historical archives and urban landmarks, as well as movies, theater, and drama from all over the world. The city is also a center of government and business, with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Keidanren and the Japanese Diet making Tokyo their home. Tokyo's location provides ready access to nearby Mt. Fuji, the historic shrines and temples of Nikko and Kamakura, and the hot springs of Hakone, as well as international destinations in Southeast Asia, Korea, and China.

Academics

Sophia University was founded in 1913 by the Jesuits, a Catholic order renowned for its commitment to academic excellence. Built around the value of respect for the history and culture of different peoples and encouragement of efforts toward understanding across national and cultural divides, this spirit permeates and guides education at Sophia University today. Students attend the Faculty of Liberal Arts on the university's Ichigaya campus. Founded in 1949 as the International Division, the Faculty of Liberal Arts features a student body and teaching staff that is international in character, and offers a liberal arts curriculum that encompasses the humanities, social sciences, business, and language studies. Courses are taught in English and are offered in the fields of anthropology, art history, business, economics, history, linguistics, Literature, philosophy, political science, sociology and Japanese studies. Participants enroll in any courses open to non-degree students in addition to Japanese language classes.

Housing

Sophia University guarantees housing for participants, who choose from dormitories located on- or off-campus or from a limited number of homestays. Students purchase meals at their dormitory or at campus restaurants and cafeterias.

Excursions and Activities

Upon arrival, students attend an orientation program designed to introduce them to the university and life in Tokyo. Once the semester begins, students can get involved in one of 200 university "circles"—extra-curricular organizations centered around community service, social events, sports, music and performance, hobbies, and study. The Faculty of Liberal Arts hosts a dozen student circles including Sophia Enterprises, which runs the Japanese Tutoring Program for exchange students, and Sophia Alpha, a circle offering opportunities for public service.