FOR
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS

General Information
about the Faculty of Foreign Studies
Programs for International Students
Faculty Highlights

General Information about the Faculty of Foreign Studies

Meijo University’s Faculty of Foreign Studies, established in April 2016, is the university’s ninth faculty. The faculty does not just focus on “foreign language” education, but rather “foreign studies.” In it, international students can learn about Asian countries and, of course, also deepen their understanding of Japanese language, history, culture, and values. International students will have many opportunities to interact with Japanese students and learn through discussion, task-based learning, and the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) method of instruction. Many classes are held in English, so even without Japanese language ability, international students will have a broad range of classes to choose from.

Study abroad destination

Japanese students enrolled in our faculty are interested in learning about Western culture. We also have an extensive field-study program with short-term excursions and internships to many Asian countries.

Warner Pacific University (Oregon, USA)
Utah Tech University (Utah: USA)
Murray State University (Kentucky: USA)
University of North Florida (Florida: USA)
University of Calgary (Alberta: Canada)
University of Lethbridge (Alberta: Canada)
Brock University (Ontario: Canada)
Vancouver Island University (British Columbia: Canada)
Queensland University of Technology (Queensland: Australia)
University of Newcastle (New South Wales: Australia)
Deakin University (Victoria: Australia)
The University of West Australia (West Australia: Australia)
University of Otago (Dunedin: New Zealand)
University of Wollongong‐UOW(Wollongong: Australia)

Programs for International Students

Exchange Student：
One semester or one academic year long program

The Faculty of Foreign Studies accepts exchange students from universities that have an exchange agreement with Meijo. Exchange students can take lectures given in English, lectures given in both Japanese and English, study Japanese language, or take lectures in Japanese only with Japanese students in a range of subjects, for either one semester or one academic year.

For detailed information

Please contact the office of the faculty that you are currently enrolled in.

Research Student: Non-degree program

The Faculty of Foreign Studies also accepts international students as research students. The research student program is a non-degree program for one year in which research students pursue their research under the instruction of our teaching staff.?

For detailed information

Please contact the International Office of Meijo University oejimu2@ccmails.meijo-u.ac.jp

Summer / Winter Programs: Three-week program

The objective of these programs is to help the participants understand more about Japan and promote international exchange. Class content includes international Japanese studies, and classes for Japanese language, culture, society, art, and pop culture. In addition to learning Japanese language, international students can interact with Japanese students to put what they have learned into practice.

Faculty Highlights

CLIL-based approach: Classes in both Japanese and English

Our lecture courses delivered in English are supported by CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) and active learning methodologies. CLIL ensures content learning is combined with language skill practice by providing interactive classroom activities. Through activities such as group discussions and presentations with Japanese students, exchange students will be able to practice their Japanese speaking skills. The Faculty of Foreign Studies offers eleven courses delivered in English: Intercultural Communication, Japanese Literature Studies, Japanese Traditional Culture, Japanese Modern Culture, Japanese Economics, Japanese Politics, and World Englishes (these courses are subject to change).

Learning about Japan

Japan has an abundance of various traditional cultures: 茶道 sado (tea ceremony), 華道 kado (flower arrangement), 柔道 judo, 芸道geido (performing arts), and so on. The Japanese character 道 is part of all of these words. “Do” means “the way of life.” Therefore, people who are engaged in “do” learn about how to act, how to fight, how to live, etc.

Japanese Literature Studies

Assoc. Prof. Yuki Hata

This course provides an introduction to Japanese literature from the Edo Period.

Among the literary genres that flourished from the late 17th to the late 19th centuries is kusazōshi (grass books), a term referring to illustrated popular literature published in Edo (present-day Tokyo) that blend images and prose. Often regarded as a precursor to modern manga, these works offer valuable insights into the society, customs, and politics of the time. By studying kusazōshi, students can deepen their understanding of Japanese literary and cultural history.

Introduction to International Japanese Studies

Prof. Yusuke Suzumura

This course aims to discuss and understand issues regarding international Japanese studies with scholars who are active in this field of research.

We invite guest lecturers for each lesson. These lecturers specialize in a wide range of fields, including history, folklore, economics, political science, art, and literature. Additionally, this course will include demonstrations by performing arts experts. The style of each class of this course consists of the guest lecturer's speech and a chance for students to have a discussion with the lecturer as a class. Through these lectures, students will have the opportunity to enrich their view of topics regarding international Japanese studies and to better understand the latest research in the field.

Intercultural Communication

Prof. Arata Miyazaki

This course is designed to introduce the basics of Intercultural Communication to students through examining issues and examples of communication they experience in their everyday lives. Students will learn theories and key terms of the field in order to better understand the dynamics of intercultural encounters outside as well as within their own cultures. The main goal of this course is to help students find connections between their learning and everyday practices and critically think about and reflect on their everyday communication.

Group discussion and active interaction with Meijo University students

There are plenty of opportunities for international students to interact with Meijo University students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Our faculty encourages students to work collaboratively in class to deepen their understanding of the subject by sharing ideas with their peers. The lecture classes detailed above take this approach to learning.

Global Plaza

Many students eat lunch in the Global Plaza, an English-only area, where it will be easy to make friends. Regular events are held at the Global Plaza which will also give international students an opportunity to share and showcase their own culture.