| Academics |
Academic Program
Kansai Gaidai University’s Asian Studies Program offers a wide range of English-taught courses in the Humanities, Business, and Studio Art. All students take a five-credit Japanese language course, with an optional three-credit course in Reading & Writing Japanese is available at all levels.
Academic Calendar
Kansai Gaidai University's academic calendar typically aligns closely with the U.S. semester system:
- Spring Semester: End of January – Beginning of June
- Fall Semester: End of August – End of December
Course equivalency information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form found here: General Education Waivers, Substitutions & Appeals | University at Albany.
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
All courses successfully completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.
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| Faculty |
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| Accommodations |
Housing
Kansai Gaidai offers an on-campus student dormitory, Global Commons – YUI. All dormitories have single-occupancy rooms equipped with a desk, bed, closet, book shelves, a shoe storage box, a small refrigerator, and an air-conditioner. Internet access and linen service are available. There is a tatami floor living room that is a convenient place for gathering and interacting in a relaxed atmosphere. Shared full kitchen facilities are available for cooking.
Meals
There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.
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| Costs |
ESTIMATE OF COSTS
Review this program’s Estimate of Costs. Note: There may be several tabs in the Estimate of Costs. Please be sure that you are reviewing the tab for your anticipated semester abroad.
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
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| Eligibility |
Eligibility Requirements
- Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in all majors with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. You must have completed at least one year (2 full academic semesters) of college-level instruction.
- If your GPA is lower than a 3.0, please email or speak with Megumi Kim, the Japan Program Advisor at mtkim@albany.edu.
- Previous coursework in Asian Studies is strongly recommended, but not required.
- You are required to take a 5-credit Japanese course during this study abroad program.
Other SUNY students: Prior knowledge of Japanese is recommended, but NOT required.
Non-SUNY students: Must have completed at least one year of Japanese study before the start of the program.
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| Excursions |
Excursions
There are university-arranged excursions throughout the semester, but you may also enjoy other tourist attractions and events off campus, on your own.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Taking part in extracurricular activities will be a good source of interaction with Japanese students. The clubs and circles at Kansai Gaidai University warmly welcome the participation of international students. If you are athletically inclined, you may join the soccer, basketball, or cheerleading club. There is also a wide range of Japanese martial arts clubs, such as Judo, Kendo, Karate, and Shorinji-Kempo. Surprisingly enough, some international students have even been able to speedily improve skills and earn advanced ranks within the hierarchies of those activities.
If you wish to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture, you may be interested in exploring clubs such as the tea ceremony club, calligraphy, flower arrangement, or Koto (the Japanese harp). An on-campus community volunteer club named "Himawari Club" may also interest you since the club organizes activities that give you a chance to interact with local Japanese children/people in the vicinity of the university. |
| Scholarships |
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
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| Testimonials |
In Their Own Words
“I had a great time in Japan! The country is so beautiful, and the train system was easy to understand, so traveling was simple and fun. I also made a ton of friends, and the classes were interesting. I'm really glad I went during the spring semester because the cherry blossoms were so pretty!”
Arielle Westcott, English Major
“It was a great experience in Japan. I went to the Yukata fitting event that Kansai Gaidai offered us, and we learned the Japanese traditional Bon Dance. It was really fun and I really enjoyed meeting the people there.
Qinyi Lin, Economics Major
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| Contact |
Speak with an Advisor
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| Location |
About the City
Kansai Gaidai University is located in Hirakata City, near Osaka, the second largest business metropolis in Japan. Osaka and Kyoto are just under an hour from campus by train. The location of the program offers an excellent starting point for your exploration in Japan.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter Japan.
For all other nationalities, please check with your government and the Consulate General of Japan to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
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| Program Dates |
Program Dates
Academic Year 2025-2026
Thursday, August 21, 2025 - Wednesday, June 3, 2026*
Fall 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025 - Monday, December 22, 2025*
Spring 2026
Monday, January 26, 2026 - Wednesday, June 3, 2026*
*For the most up-to-date Kansai Gaidai University academic calendars, please click here.
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
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Overview
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About the Program
Kansai Gaidai is a private, nonprofit institution composed of Kansai Gaidai University (four-year program), Kansai Gaidai College (two-year program), the Graduate School, and the Asian Studies Program.
Established in 1972, Kansai Gaidai’s Asian Studies Program annually welcomes over 600 competitively selected students who represent about 40 countries and regions.
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