A reciprocal exchange program between the University of Iowa and Meiji University allows UI students with fourth year level Japanese to study in Tokyo either as a visiting foreign student in one of the Departments at Meiji, or in courses for international and exchange students offered by the Center for International Programs. The choice depends on the student’s level of Japanese language proficiency. The exchange is open to undergraduates, and to graduates with an appropriate research interest who have a minimum of third year level Japanese at the time of application. Or students with minimal Japanese proficiency can study in one of Meiji’s divisions that offers classes taught in English, namely the School of Business Administration and the School of Global Japanese Studies for undergradutes, or the Graduate School of Governance Studies.

The program fee for study on Reciprocal exchange is based on semester-hour enrollment constituting minimum full time of your regular UI tuition. UI students earn transfer credit on this option of direct enrollment in programs of a Japanese university.

Academic Program

Students need to be received into a particular department at Meiji and must indicate this department on their application. For options requiring language proficiency, once screened and recommended for exchange, students will be required to take the Meiji University Japanese Language Test to be included in their application, and to be scored by Meiji.

Regular courses

Information about departments and courses at Meiji is found here. Click on the small blue tab English at the very top of the page; then go to Undergraduate Schools (or Graduate Schools, as relevant.)

Most typically, these are the departments of interest to Iowa students: in the School of Arts and Letters: Department of Literature, Department of History and Geography; in the School of Political Science and Economics: Department of Political Science, Department of Economics; in the School of Business Administration: Department of Business Administration.

Students don’t register for classes until after arrival, and will be advised on choice of classes available to them based on their interview with the Japanese Language Programs Coordinator. See below.

Japanese Language

Following an assessment of their language abilities by the Japanese Language Programs Coordinator at an arrival interview, students will be placed in the appropriate language course offered by the Center for International Programs. Upon completing these classes, students will be issued a certificate but do not earn credit on a Meiji transcript. The aim of this intensive language program is to improve students’ communicative skills and develop the fundamental skills needed for university-level study in a Japanese-speaking environment. Access to regular classes in their host department will also be determined by this assessment. Students will receive guidance on course selection from the Language Programs coordinator, as well as an academic adviser in their School of choice.

Global Japanese Studies

Meiji’s new BA in Global Japanese Studies prepares students for a relevant understanding of cultural difference, aiming to foster true cosmopolitans who can look at Japan from a global standpoint and actively introduce Japanese culture to the rest of the world. The program includes study of contemporary and traditional Japanese culture as a whole, but also examines the Japanese approach in the areas of business, industry and society at large.

An English Track which allows Meiji students to complete their four year program entirely in courses taught in English provides a special opportunity for foreign exchange students not proficient in Japanese. The curriculum for the GJS English Track can be viewed here. Classes marked A or B cover different material, and are offered spring semester (A) or fall semester (B).

Business Administration

The School of Business Administration offers classes taught in English which vary any given session. The decision of which classes will be offered in English is not made until the end of the fiscal year; students will be making final choices after they arrive. To see the range of English-taught classes in the business school check here.

In addition, students accepted into the Department of Business Administration can take a Japanese language class; language classes at the beginning levels earn no credit.

Graduate School of Governance Studies

The goal of this school is to examine Global Issues such as poverty reduction, sustainable development, decentralization of government, regional development for economic growth and crisis management for a safe society from the perspective of Good Governance, where governments, markets and civil society collaborate to manage society more effectively. With the aim of capacitating the broadest population of young professionals around the world, three of its programs are offered taught in English: the programs in Public Policy, International Development Policy, and Community Management.
More information on the School of Governance Studies’ English Track is found here and here.

Program Dates

Study at Meiji runs on the Japanese academic calendar. Options for UI students include spring semester (late March to July), academic year (September to July, with a two month break between Meiji semesters), or calendar year comprising UI semesters spring and fall (late March to the following January.)

For More Information

Program details are found at the various links at Academic Programs above. Students should meet with the Japan program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office as soon as interested, to discuss the procedures for Reciprocal exchange. Binders with comments from prior participants can also be consulted in the Resource Room.

Meiji University

In the spirit of the Meiji Restoration, Meiji University was founded in 1881 around a core of French law studies in the hopes of eventually bringing individual and human rights to the common people. It began as a Law School in the home of one of its three founders, all lower-ranking samurai. Through reforms and additions over the years, including the first School of Business Administration established in Japan, today it comprises seven four-year colleges with related graduate courses. The university has produced leaders in all areas, and is especially proud of its accomplishments in the fields of law and politics. Excellence has also been attained in sports, where Meiji athletes have brought home gold medals from the Olympic Games.

The Center for International Programs addresses the needs of foreign students at Meiji. In addition to a comprehensive orientation program, advising and tutorial programs, Japanese language support classes, and one-day excursions, the Center sponsors intercultural activities given by the International Student Association.

Tokyo

With a population of 11,384,000, Tokyo is one of the three largest cities in the world. The development of Tokyo, a city much newer than most Japanese cities, began in 1603 when it was selected as military headquarters for the first Tokugawa Shogun. While the nominal capital remained in Kyoto, home of the Emperors, Edo functioned as the nation's administrative center, and was renamed Tokyo upon becoming the official capital with the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Devastated in World War II, it was quickly rebuilt and is today an ultramodern city spread over an area of 230 square miles, two to four times larger than New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.

Living Arrangements

Meiji University does not have university housing, but it can offer exchange students contracted apartments that are reasonably priced. These apartments are fully equipped and are within commuting distance from all the campuses. Upon acceptance, students will receive a Housing Guide for International Exchange Students with complete information on options and an accommodation request form to complete.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Tokyo by the required date. Information for arrival will be provided by the Meiji University’s International Office.

Eligibility

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.85, have completed at least one semester in residence at the University of Iowa, and have junior standing or higher. Students applying to regular or classes for international students must be in fourth year Japanese at the time of application. Students applying to English-taught classes must have completed one semester of Japanese prior to arrival. Graduate students doing research must be able to demonstrate proficiency at third year Japanese at the time of application.

Costs

On this one-for-one exchange, cost is based on your regular UI tuition.
Added expenses include airfare, local housing and living expenses, visa fees, and a UI administrative fee. Tuition and UI administrative fee are charged on your semester U Bill.

For an overall estimate consult with the Japan adviser in the Study Abroad office.

The Iowa Regents mandatory International CISI insurance is also collected on the U Bill.

How to Apply

An application is available from the Japan exchanges adviser in the UI Study Abroad office and begins with completing the Preliminary Application for Japan Exchange. Students nominated for the Meiji exchange will be asked to complete Meiji University’s Exchange Student Application. Except for those applying to programs with English-taught classes, students will be required to take the Japanese Language Test while still at Iowa to include with the application.

The final decision on admissions rests with Meiji University.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is February 18 for academic year beginning in September.
For spring semester, or calendar year late March through January, the application deadline is October 1.
Interested students should consult with the Japan adviser in Study Abroad as early as possible.

Upon acceptance, students will receive an acceptance packet with comprehensive information directly from Meiji University’s International office.

Prior to departure, students also attend a general TIPS orientation for UI Students Studying Abroad. In addition, the exchange program adviser provides cultural notes and individualized information about billing and credit procedures at Iowa.