Shimane University, Japan

Japanese lanterns on Gion-matsuri festival, Japan.

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Shimane University, Japan

Established in 1949, Shimane University is a public higher education institution located in the rural setting of the large town of Matsue (population 206,239 inhabitants). Shimane University is officially accredited/recognized by the Ministry of Education and is a medium-sized coeducational higher education institution (enrollment range: 7,000-7,999 students). Shimane University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

Location

Matsue, Japan

Term

Spring, Academic Year

Housing

Dormitory

Program Highlights

Students interested in immersing themselves in the Japanese language and culture will enjoy spending an academic year or spring semester at Shimane University. Through formal coursework and campus and community events, exchange students will improve upon their language skills and knowledge of Japanese traditions and society.

Located in Shimane Prefecture in western Honshu, the university has campuses in Matsue City (the prefectural capital) and Izumo City (one hour to the west of Matsue). The Matsue campus, where exchange students study, is home to the university's Law & Literature, Education, Science & Engineering, and Life & Environmental Science faculties, as well as the university's central administration.

Program Contact Information

Molly Papay

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: mpapay1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-3067

Application Process

Students will be required to complete two applications:

an internal Kent State Education Abroad application,
and a partner university application.

These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by an Education Abroad Advisor. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. Please note that acceptance to the program by 5X�� does not serve as final approval. The host institution or program provider grants final approval for each applicant.

3. Complete the Host University Application

Once your Education Abroad application has been accepted, you will be nominated to the host university. You will complete the host university’s application and wait for official acceptance to the program.

Academics

Academic Programs

The semester exchange program with Shimane University is designed for students to practice Japanese language skills and to learn more about Japanese culture, history, and society. While students from any major may participate in this program, preference is first given to those who are pursuing the Japanese minor.

Course offerings may include the following:

Japanese Language (mandatory)
Japanese Culture
Japanese History
Japanese Society
Japan Studies
Intercultural Understanding
Global Perspective
...and more!

Upon arrival at Shimane University, students will complete a placement exam to determine at which level of Japanese language they will study. The Japanese language courses are offered at three levels (elementary, intermediate, advanced) and are taught in Japanese. Most special elective courses for exchange students are taught in English. To learn more about the semester course offerings, please review the Shimane University Course Info for Undergraduates (PDF).

Transferring Credits

Transfer Credits

With this program, students enroll in courses at a partner (host) institution. You will need to transfer the credits you earn abroad back to 5X��.

Upon successful completion of the program, the host institution will issue you an official transcript, which will be needed for the credit transfer process.

You must earn passing grades on the courses you take abroad for the credits to transfer.

Prior to departure, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Transfer Course Planning (TCP) Form, which will outline the courses you plan to take while abroad and how the courses will transfer to 5X��.

Some courses have already been pre-approved for transfer to Kent State and can be viewed on the Transfer Credit Guide. Please note that this is only a guide and is NOT a comprehensive list of courses available at each partner institution.

Credit Approval

Prior to departure, it is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you plan to take while abroad.

If a course needs to be evaluated for transfer, you are responsible for working with your education abroad advisor to obtain the syllabus and have it reviewed by Kent State faculty.

Location & Transportation

Matsue, Japan

Matsue is the capital city of the Shimane Prefecture in Japan. Japan is an island country located in East Asia in the Pacific Ocean.

Students in the Matsue, Japan program will enjoy exploring the Kamosu Jinja and the Kumano Taisha, which are both shrines that have become popular tourist attractions.

The culture of Matsue can also intrigue students in this study abroad program. The city is nicknamed the “City of Water” due to Lake Shinji. The city also has history involving myth and legends, as it is well known for its relation to Japan’s pantheon of Gods.

There are also many different architectural landmarks that students can explore in Matsue. Several of these include the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, the Matsue Castle, and the Shimane Art Museum.

Matsue is a city that is rich with activities. Students can find themselves exploring the sights of various shrines, museums, and beautiful parks during this program. The city also has great cuisine that students can enjoy, including a variety of teas that are complimented by Japanese sweets.

Transportation

Airports

Izumo Airport (IZO) is located in Shimane Prefecture and is closest to the Matsue campus. Students will fly into Tokyo then take a domestic flight to Izumo Airport or perhaps a train to then arrive at Shimane University.

Local Transit

Students will become familiar with using the bus and train systems in Matsue to navigate the city. Many attractions within Matsue and around campus are easily navigable on foot. Taxis are also available, as are boats circling the canals around Matsue Castle.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

Students will live in the International House Matsue, which consists of 26 single occupancy rooms with shared shower rooms, kitchens, lounge areas, and laundry rooms. Students pay monthly rent and utilities to live in the dormitory, which is customary in Japan. Linens are not provided, so students will need to pack or purchase towels, bedding, pillows, etc.

Exchange students are given priority placement for the International House but will be placed in a student dormitory or provided assistance with finding an off-campus apartment if the International House is at capacity.

There is no meal plan system.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on 5X��-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most Kent State scholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

If you have any questions about using your financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, you can contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

international travel procedures;
in-country resources;
health and safety resources and information;
culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center.

Visa Information

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that’s to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to:

determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s),
apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

5X��'s Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.

Costs and Funding

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

Your Journey is Just Beginning

Why Go Abroad

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