• Kansai Gaidi University (Enrollment: 9,700)
    Four-year undergraduate programs, offering a B.A. Degree in English, Spanish, and International Communication.
  • Asian Studies Program
    A special program accommodating international students wishing to pursue Japanese language and Japan/Asian studies.
  • Kansai Gaidai has a strong international student population with students representing 266 institutions from 33 different countries.

Kansai Gaidai, Hirakata, Japan: pop. 408,000
Language of Instruction: English
Academic year & semester exchanges

Profile

Kansai Gaidai was originally established in 1945 as a small, private language school amid the smoldering ruins of post-war Japan. The founder, Noboru and Takako Tanimoto, truly dedicated educators who witnessed political chaos and economic depression, hoped to create an institution which would develop in its students a sense of internationalism. Today, the school prospers as a private, nonprofit institution with the four distinct educational programs. All of these programs are fully accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education, which is the sole official accrediting organization in Japan.

Location

Kansai Gaidai's two campuses (Nakamiya and Hotani) are located in Hirakata city (pop.: 408,000) near Osaka city, the second largest business metropolis next to Tokyo. Hirakata is also close to Kyoto and Nara, both of which are synonymous with "Japan's rich tradition." This Geographic advantage provides students with easy access to the centers of Osaka and Kyoto in little over half an hour by train.

Divisions

  • Japanese Culture (Spoken Japanese, Japanese Reading and Writing)
  • Academic Japanese (Note-taking for Academic Courses, Advanced Reading &
    Discussion, Writing Academic Papers in Japanese)
  • Social Sciences and Humanity (culture, society, history and politics)
  • Business and Economics (Japanese business practices, economics, international
    trade and finance)
  • Arts, Design (Japanese brush painting (sumi-e) and ceramics);

Academic notes

Highly flexible modular structure gives students a wide range of classes to choose from.

Room and Board

Kansai Gaidai University offers its international students three types of housing arrangements: homestay, dormitory, and off-campus housing. Homestay participation is strongly encouraged, for it is an excellent opportunity to acquire knowledge about the Japanese language and culture. Three Japanese style dormitories, "Seminar House I, II, and III," are a comfortable housing alternative for students who do not opt for homestay. The completion of the Seminar House III brought the total capacity up to 115 rooms which accommodate 218 students. In Seminar House I and II, an eight tatami-mat Japanese style room is shared by two students. Seminar House III, on the other hand, is an apartment type dormitory: each unit accommodates six, or eight students. A shared living room with a kitchen is surrounded by bedrooms, each accommodating two students. All students in the Seminar Houses are provided with a desk, closet, futon (bedding). Study rooms, student lounges, and storage are also available for residents' use. Since there are no catering services at the Seminar Houses, students are expected to prepare their own meals (full kitchen facilities are available), eat at University cafeterias, or nearby restaurants. Classrooms, grocery stores and restaurants, and train station are within a walking distance. Assistance in finding off-campus housing is provided primarily to those students who extend their stay into the second semester. Also, since there are no facilities available for spouses or children on-campus, those students with accompanying family members will be asked to take the off-campus option.

Exchange Dates

  • Fall - August - December
  • Spring - January - May