JAPAN - ISEP Chukyo University

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have second-semester sophomore status or higher before participation. 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 3.0. 
• Language Requirement: 1 semester of Japanese language study is required. 2+ semesters recommended. For courses taught in Japanese, intermediate to advanced Japanese language proficiency is required.
• The student must submit ISEP language proficiency report in the application, even if native speaker.

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

Nagoya is a large, attractive industrial city on the Pacific coast, midway between Tokyo and Osaka. The city campus has a high concentration of students, while the other campus is located just outside the city made famous as the home of Toyota, the automobile company.

Chukyo University is the ideal study abroad destination for those interested in an immersion experience. Students have an abundance of opportunities, both inside the classroom and out, to interact with Japanese classmates, improve language skills and experience real Japan. Whether it is participating in the campus-wide school festival or visiting the ice skating rink where Chukyo students train to become Olympic champions, students that attend this university are sure to have an experience of a lifetime.

Japanese students are typically very quiet during class. Rather than interrupting the professor to ask questions, Japanese students may be more inclined to wait until the class has dismissed before speaking with peers, checking their textbooks, or meeting with professors to ask specific questions.

Open questions presented for anyone to answer within the classroom may receive little feedback from Japanese students. Professors in Japan often times call students by name when seeking classroom participation.

Japanese students sometimes refrain from using eye contact when speaking with their professors. This does not mean that these students are insincere nor does it suggest that the student is being disrespectful.

Academic Environment and Teaching Style

Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm.  Professors are often more formal than those in the United States.

All courses/modules may have prerequisites.  Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it.  Be aware of these limitations.

Attendance plays an important role in the final grade for students, especially for Japanese speaking class. Speaking examinations are given periodically to students to test their language comprehension abilities.

For all students, there is a wide variety of courses in Japanese culture, history, current affairs, and Japanese language (beginning to advanced levels). For those interested in fields relating to the Japanese economy, finance, commerce, and management, a program of courses from the School of Commerce, Economics, and Management can be arranged at any level from lower division to graduate. 

Students typically enroll in 10-15 classes per term, which averages to 18-24 hours in class per week. A term runs for 15 weeks. 

Courses taught in English include but are not limited to: The Culture and Society of Japan, Japanese Culture, and Art, International Business Theory, World Literatures in English, Foundations of Japanese Studies, Oral Communication, International Business, American Literature in the 20th Century, American Culture, British Social History

Non-intensive Japanese language courses are offered in addition to regular classes during the academic year and/or semester for all levels.

Tutoring: Individual tutoring is offered for all levels. English support for courses taught in Japanese is available. 

Please see Courses and Japanese Language and Culture Courses for more information on courses available for ISEP students.

Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette.

Founded in 1954, Chukyo University is one of the largest private universities in central Japan and has two campus locations: Nagoya and Toyota. Facilities at both locations include a library, an audiovisual center, computer workshops and sports facilities. There are also research institutes for social science, artificial intelligence technology, small business and other fields. 

ORIENTATION

All important information will be provided in detail during the orientation session. This includes topics such as academic registration, transcript issuance, alien registration, National Health Insurance plan, housing and student life on and off campus. In addition, the ISEP Coordinator carefully and individually advises each ISEP student concerning their planned course of study before the student registers.

It is not easy to settle into a new country or a new university. Therefore, at Chukyo University, student support tutors are happy to assist students. Support tutors will pick students up at the airport or train station, show them the way to campus and housing facilities, help them apply for their Alien Registration Card, and provide campus tours.

ARRIVAL DETAILS

Pick-up service from Chubu Centrair International Airport is available. The host will also provide arrival directions with acceptance packet.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Students are encouraged to take part in the many extracurricular clubs open to all students. Most students also opt to take one or more courses in Health and Sports Sciences. Some examples of this are Kendo, Judo, Basketball, and Gymnastics. The Toyota campus hosts a wide variety of athletic facilities including an ice skating rink where Chukyo students trained to become Olympic champions.
Other activities available for students that are all included within the ISEP benefits include: (See here for pictures and more information.)

• Student Welcome Party
• Chukyo University Festival
• Experience Wearing a Kimono (female students)
• Homestay Experience
• Day trip to Nagoya Castle and Ohsu Kannon Temple
• Overnight trip to Chukyo seminar house in Nagano
• Overnight trip to Kyoto
• Cherry blossom viewing at Tsurumai Park
• Farewell Party

Full-year exchange students with very high Japanese proficiency levels may be able to apply for the Summer Internship Program. This option is only available for full-year students attending from the spring semester as the program is conducted during the summer vacation period. Internships are not paid, but credit-bearing. The submission of a report upon completion of the program and a presentation in Japanese is required. 

All incoming students are welcome to participate in occasional volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community. Past examples of some volunteer opportunities include:

• Teaching English in a high school classroom
• Attending cultural events in the community
• Visiting local elementary schools in the area

ISEP students are housed in single-occupancy rooms with private bath and kitchen in modern flats near Nagoya campus. A stipend is provided to purchase meals on campus or in restaurants, or to cook meals in the room.

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange to Chukyo includes orientation, on-site director, university fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week.  

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of January 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.