Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Students in the Japanese major must have a 3.0 major GPA
- Junior standing or above at the start of the program
- 1 semester of college-level Japanese language or equivalent
Program Description
This exchange program with Ibaraki University is open to all Penn State students who have completed at least 1 semester of Japanese language. This program provides students with an opportunity to learn and to improve their Japanese language skills and to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and society. Students take Japanese language courses, and Japan-related courses taught in English. Intermediate-advanced students can also take courses taught in Japanese. A wide range of cultural and educational activities are also provided during the semester.
Dates
Academic Year: late September - late August
Spring: early April - late August
Refer to Ibaraki University's website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
Located in Mito, a city near Tokyo (approximately one hour by train), Ibaraki University is a small national university with 8,500 students and approximately 250 international students. As a result of its small size, living costs in Mito are rather low for Japan.
Ibaraki University was founded as a new national university on May 31, 1949 under enforcement of the 1949 School Education Law (Number 150). Integrating several prewar institutions, it was originally comprised of the College of Literature and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Engineering. The prewar institutions which combined to create the university were the Old Mito High School, Ibaraki Normal School, Ibaraki National School for Youth, and Taga Technical College. In April 2004, the University was incorporated as National University Corporation Ibaraki University under enforcement of the 2004 National University Corporation Law.
Ibaraki University has a solid Japanese program, housed in the Center for Global Education. The Center provides guidance and advice for international students on education, studying at the university and everyday life in addition to global education including overseas study and training. Further, as an open organization, it plays a role in promoting international exchange in the community based on cooperation with other universities within the prefecture, companies, regional public organizations, and international exchange groups.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.
