First Year Abroad in Kyoto
Your First Year Abroad program in Kyoto lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Japanese culture. Live and learn in Kyoto!
Start an application to view the academic year options available on this program.
Unique Experiences
Be entranced by Ryōan-ji
and the Golden and Silver Temples
Savor Kyoto’s famous Uji green tea
in drinks, desserts, and sweets
Enjoy the cultural capital of Japan
and its 1,200+ years of culture and history
Your Destination
Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart, filled with ancient temples, serene gardens, and streets that tell stories from over a thousand years of history. Spend 12 weeks wandering through the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, discovering the art and architecture of Kiyomizu-dera, and savoring seasonal delicacies at Nishiki Market. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Kyoto is the perfect place to spend a semester abroad.
Program Highlights
- Tutoring + Academic Support: Receive personalized one-on-one tutoring to help you excel in your courses and stay on track with your studies.
- First Year Workshops: Participate in a life skills workshop led by experienced on-site staff to develop your communication, self-management, and personal skills. (Required; non-credit bearing; 1.5 hours/week, including dinner.)
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic interests.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Kyoto will open doors for you to explore Japan’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. Each semester typically includes two day-trips and one overnight trip.
Samples of excursions and activities:
- Visit world-famous temples and shrines, such as Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine, and learn about the depth of their history and religious significance
- Take a day trip to Nara with its great-seated Buddha in Todaiji temple, the world’s largest wooden structure
- Enjoy an excursion to nearby Kobe and World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, to experience the life of a 17th-century warrior
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Kyoto offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From apartments within 20 minutes of CIEE Kyoto to homestays a train and/or bus ride away, your accommodation preferences will be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay within a 70-minute commute or a shared, double, or quad accommodation in an apartment or hotel room located within 20 minutes of CIEE Kyoto.
- Homestays: Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family.
- Shared Apartments: Shared apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities.
Select Housing: Includes a private single apartment or hotel room located under 15 minutes from CIEE Kyoto. Apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a private single apartment located 5 minutes from CIEE Kyoto. Apartments boast kitchenettes and laundry facilities. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Shared Apartments: Rooms are equipped with a single-burner range, microwave, and fridge kitchenette. Students can prepare simple in-house meals with basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. Students can also explore affordable restaurants in the immediate neighborhood or explore the city for a full range of cuisine and prices.
Homestays: Hosts provide two meals a day (breakfast & dinner) seven days per week.
Academics
CIEE Kyoto: Study in the upscale office district of Karasuma Oike – a 15-minute walk from the city's main shopping street, Nijo Castle, Kamo River, and the former Imperial Palace. CIEE Kyoto features classrooms, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Transcripts: Tulane University is CIEE’s School of Record for First Year Abroad. Tulane ensures that our academic programs meet the highest standards of quality and, upon completing your program, they will issue you an official U.S. transcript for any First Year Abroad courses you've successfully completed abroad (with the exception of CIEE x ASU online courses;). Students taking ASU courses online will receive an Arizona State University transcript.
Course Information
Course Notes
Block Numbers
During the Fall semester, the courses below will be listed as available in Blocks II & III, rather than Blocks I & II. This is because the First Year Abroad program runs during the final two blocks of the Fall semester which is otherwise split into three blocks on CIEE’s Academic Calendar.
Language Classes
During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory language course will be instructed to take an online language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
Syllabi available October 1
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Literature, Linguistics, and Writing
Biological and Physical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Fall Block III 2026
Psychology
You have the flexibility to choose from a selection of in-person courses taught by CIEE instructors and from over 3,000 asynchronous undergraduate ASU Online courses.
In the table below, you can explore some of the exciting courses we offer. On the left are examples of the in-person First Year Abroad classes you can take with CIEE. On the right are just a few examples of the thousands of ASU Online courses available to you while you're abroad.
| Sample CIEE Courses (in-person) | Sample ASU Courses (online) |
|
|
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework at no additional charge.
Check the CIEE program dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program.
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
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.
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.
Interested in an academic year program? CIEE offers exciting customizable First Year Abroad programs in select locations. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator if you're interested in any of these combinations, and please note that visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your chosen program combination.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall Block II 2026 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Fall 2026 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Fall Block III 2026 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring Block I 2027 6 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring Block II 2027 6 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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 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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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
Our Staff
Conor Aherne
Center Director
Conor’s passion for Japan began 12 years ago when he studied abroad in Tokyo. He holds an MA in Japanese & Asian History from Saitama University and is a specialist in Kyoto history.
Izumi Wada
Senior Program Coordinator
Izumi was born in Kyoto and studied abroad in the US when she was in high school. She is passionate about helping students make their study abroad experience meaningful and fruitful (and baking bread on the weekend!).