sunset tokyo tower japan
Tokyo, Japan

Summer Japanese Studies

Study Program

Dates

-

6 weeks

Costs

Credit

6 semester hours

9 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

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Overview

Spend your summer studying abroad in Japan's mega-metropolis capital, Tokyo! Known for its outstanding modern and avant-garde features, Tokyo is the ideal place to spend six weeks exploring Japan's treasures while taking two courses in Japanese language, art, business, communications, history, pop culture, religion, or society. Conveniently located in the center of the city, CIEE Tokyo is surrounded by Japan's economic and educational hub, making it the perfect place to live and learn abroad.

Unique Experiences

Boost your Japanese

by building upon what you know already or start from scratch. Everywhere you go will be a chance to practice your newfound linguistic skills.

Discover Japan

through English-taught courses covering a range of cultural, social, and historical topics.

Explore Japan's treasures

venture beyond the city to enhance your learning on your own or through CIEE-scheduled activities and excursions.

23

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. Venture beyond the city to enhance your learning.

13.6 M

Population - most densely populated city on Earth

142,000

square miles of total land space in Japan

Experience
  • tokyo student geisha
  • tokyo-city-sunset

Your Destination

The world’s most populous city also ranks in the top five safest cities globally (The Economist: "Safe Cities Index" 2019). Tokyo, one of the most dynamic modern cities, has also become home to some of the world’s most popular trendsetters. Along with the futuristic, you will also find pockets of deeply traditional culture as well. 

DISCOVER JAPAN’S TREASURES

Dive into Japanese culture through CIEE activities and excursions to enhance your educational experience. While activities vary by year, past activities have included tea ceremonies, taiko drumming workshops, visits to historical temples, shrines, museums, and more. You and your friends can also venture out into areas such as Akihabara, the heartland of manga, anime, and otaku culture; Harajuku, where kawaii fashion reigns supreme; and Shibuya, where shopping opportunities abound. 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Tokyo.

The Culture

tokyo students wear kimonos

Excursions & Activities

  • Explore Tokyo through group activities and on your own – there’s always more to see and do. 
  • Get to the ballpark to see how baseball is enjoyed in Japanese Style. 
  • Get out of the city and explore somewhere different… like Kamakura or Yokohama. 
  • Find your inner peace in an actual "Zen Garden". 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Summer in Japan: Introduction to Japanese Art 2018

By Kumiko Kato at CIEE

Hi everyone! My name is Kumiko Kato. I was given the opportunity to teach a class called “Introduction to Japanese Art” in 2018, as part of the CIEE College Study... keep reading

Perfect Times in Tokyo

By Jason B.

As we left the dock in Tokyo Bay, embarking on an hour-long cruise around the area, I couldn’t help but smile. This was the perfect way to end a perfect... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "Being able to make life long friends ... and being able to watch each other develop and grow as a more culturally sensitive person, and into someone who are able to think globally and leave the "American" way of thinking."

    Kira, Villanova University, Summer 16

Housing
Academics

Academics

Summer Japanese Studies invites students to immerse themselves in the rich Japanese culture while selecting courses on beginner or intermediate Japanese language, Japanese art, Japanese pop culture, Japanese history, Japan’s economic development Japanese business industry, or religions of Japan. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions, organizations, and sites relevant to the course offerings.

CIEE Tokyo is conveniently located in central Tokyo. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

2 CIEE elective courses 

Program Credit

Total credit: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Courses are designed and delivered by CIEE. Participation is important. Students should wait until the program ends to travel extensively. 

Class Format

Students will take two 3-credit courses held from the 2nd to the 6th week of the program. Each class will meet approximately 16 times (about 2 and a half hours per session) during that period. 

Grading

Assessment is based on exams, quizzes, presentations, and papers. Students are given letter grades of A-F.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English and Japanese

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Summer 2024

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE Stem Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2024 6 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $5,503**

Housing = $2,950

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $8,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $210

International Airfare = $1,700

Local Transportation = $100

Books & Supplies = $100

Personal expenses = $170

Other = $150

Total Costs = $2,430

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $420 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Jennifer Butler

Center Director

Jennifer is a long-time resident of Japan but originally hails from the US. She has an MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Sheffield (UK) and a BA in International Studies (Japanese minor) from the University of Alabama.

Teppei Hayashi

Senior Program Manager

Teppei has lived, studied and worked in both Japan and the US (RI, OR, & PA). Majoring in Spanish and French allowed him to study and intern abroad during his...

Starr Miyata

Academic Manager

Starr has several years of experience working in education equity and international education in both the U.S. and Japan.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

Request Info