Kansai Gaidai University, Japan

Kansai Gaidai University

Hirakata, Japan

Kansai Gaidai University was originally established in 1945 as a small, private language school. Today, the school prospers as a private, nonprofit institution with 13,000 students. Kansai Gaidai provides excellent educational programs to its students with a special focus on international education. The university annually welcomes more than 500 international students to the Asian Studies Program.

Location and Size: Kansai Gaidai is located in Hirakata, midway between Osaka, Japan’s second largest industrial metropolis and Kyoto, the ancient capital city of Japan.

Academic Program: Students that attend Kansai Gaidai become part of the dynamic international student body on campus. This university offers a unique opportunity for students to learn about Japan and Asia from a wide variety of perspectives with English course offerings in social sciences, humanities, business and economics. The program also offers a rigorous Japanese language studies component for students of all Japanese levels. MC students can take courses in the Kansai Gaidai’s Asian Studies Program which are offered in a wide range of academic areas such as business, economics, fine arts, history, humanities, Japanese language, literature, politics, etc. The Asian Studies Program is divided into two parts: a Japanese language program offered in the morning and a variety of courses in business, humanities, and social sciences offered in the afternoon.

Kansai Gaidai’s Asian Studies Program academics page has separate pages explaining their Japanese language courses, Asian and Japan studies courses, and studio art courses. Kansai Gaidai also has a syllabus page for more detailed information. Students who participate in the Asian Studies Program have access to unique internships in Japan.

GPA Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent according to their university’s grading system. Please note that there is no flexibility regarding this requirement.

Language Requirements: None

Room and Board: Global Commons 1 person per room http://www.kansaigaidai.ac.jp/asp/04_campus_life/03/02.html

Cost: Students pay regular tuition and fees including room and board to Maryville College. Students are responsible for airfare and other living expenses.

When to Go: One semester (either fall or spring)

Calendar Year (January – December)

Fall Semester (August – December)

Summer (June – August)

Spring Semester (January – June)

Full Year (August – June)

Cultural Engagement: The Experience Japan Program allows international and Japanese students to strengthen their friendships. All activities are designed by Kansai Gaidai students and publicized on campus with handmade posters. Examples of activities include:

  • Day trips to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, aquarium, Universal Studios Japan
  • Cooking Japanese food (sushi, sukiyaki, okonomiyaki)
  • Sports events
  • Learning calligraphy
  • Dancing Bonodori (Japanese traditional dance)
  • Making and flying kites
  • Wearing a kimono
  • Visiting Toei Samurai movie sets
  • Speaking partner program

There are also a number of clubs and circles at Kansai Gaidai where students warmly welcome the participation of international students. Students may join the soccer, basketball or cheerleading club. There is also a wide range of Japanese martial arts clubs such as Judo, Kendo, Karate or Shorinji-Kempo. Students who wish to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture may enjoy the tea ceremony club, flower arrangement club or Koto club.

An on-campus community volunteer club named “Himawari Club” may interest students. This club organizes activities in which international students interact with local Japanese children/people in the vicinity of the university. An on-campus community volunteer club named “Himawari Club” may interest students. This club organizes activities in which international students interact with local Japanese children/people in the vicinity of the university.

Websites: www.kansaigaidai.ac.jp/asp/  |   International Office

E-mail : inquiry@khc.kansai-gaidai-u.ac.jp