Support Programs for Osaka University Students studying abroad

If you want to "do something" while you are a student, why not study abroad?

Osaka University actively promotes overseas study through various programs, including an overseas study program designed to provide credits from universities with exchange agreements with Osaka University. For OU students to be internationally active and play an important role in the future, it is very meaningful to study abroad to improve their foreign language skills and engage in study and research in their specialized field as well as to experience different cultures and nurture international awareness.

For information about studying abroad and OU exchange programs, please download and view the documents below.

• "Challenge Yourself!"
• Guidebook for Studying Abroad for Osaka University Students

Osaka University Aid for Student Exchange Programs

Osaka University Aid for Student Exchange Programs are for full-time students of schools and graduate schools of Osaka University, and they are given the chance to study and conduct research at overseas universities with student exchange agreements with OU for one semester or longer--up to a maximum of one year. These exchange agreements specify that students enrolled in their home university are not charged tuition fees at the overseas university; they receive the status of a student at that university and the credits earned are transferable to their home university.

The student exchange agreements come in two types: university-to-university and school-to-school. The recruitment of students wishing to join such student exchange programs is conducted during the periods listed below. For school-to-school exchange programs, please contact the school of your choice.

As also described in the Application Guidelines and on the KOAN Bulletin Board, make sure to confirm the application deadline with study abroad staff at your school/graduate school.

• For Application Guidelines, click here. (internal use only)
• For general information about exchange programs, click here.

Short-term language study programs

SDGs Field Study - Bamboo: Yunnan and Vietnam (OUICP-S)

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are no longer being accepted.

Participants in this program will learn about the wisdom and techniques of ethnic minorities and Vietnamese living in northern Vietnam to sustainably utilize nature on the topic of "Food and Health." Participants will also attempt to understand the relationship between issues in the region and the factors behind these issues from multi-tiered perspectives.

*Note: We will not be traveling to Yunnan, China for this year's Field Study. However, we will be traveling to the region of Vietnam that borders Yunnan.

This program, composed of two subjects (2 credits), Field Study Abroad B (one credit) and SDGs and Asia-Pacific Region I (one credit), will be held as an Osaka University International Certificate Program S (OUICP-S), a hybrid-type international exchange program. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate of completion from the director of the Center for Global Initiatives.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Career Advance Program in Brunei (OUICP-S)

Applications for 2024-25 are no longer being accepted.

In the Career Advance Program in Brunei, participants will join an English course at Brunei Darussalam University, with which OU has an inter-university agreement, to improve their English language proficiency, especially their presentation skills in English. This program is also designed to help participants explore the challenges associated with achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acquire experience and knowledge useful for their future career.

This program, composed of two subjects (2 credits), Career Advancement English Program I (one credit) and SDGs and Asia-Pacific Region I (one credit), will be held as an Osaka University International Certificate Program S (OUICP-S), a hybrid-type international exchange program. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the director of the Center for Global Initiatives.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Career Advance Program in the Philippines (OUICP-S)

Applications for 2024-25 are no longer being accepted.

This program aims to improve participant’s English language proficiency and academic presentation skills in English by participating in an educational program at the Center for International English for Speakers of Other Languages (CIESOL) of De La Salle University, with which OU has an inter-university agreement. The program also provides participants with chances to explore the challenges associated with achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acquire experience and knowledge useful for their future career.

This program, composed of two subjects (2 credits), Career Advancement English Program II (one credit) and SDGs and Asia-Pacific Region I (one credit), will be held as an Osaka University International Certificate Program S (OUICP-S), a hybrid-type international exchange program. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the director of the Center for Global Initiatives.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

SDGs Field Study - Bamboo: The Philippines (OUICP-S)

Applications for the 2024-2025 summer program are no longer being accepted.

In this program based at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman, participants will use English to study the characteristics of Southeast Asia and Philippine society from the perspectives of the environment, agriculture, food, public health, religion, and family, while also going on field trips and excursions to investigate challenges related to sustainable development goals (SDGs). This program will allow participants to gain experience and knowledge that will allow them to thrive on the world stage both in their future endeavors at the university as well as in their professional careers.

This program, composed of two subjects (2 credits), Field Study Abroad A (one credit) and SDGs and Asia-Pacific Region I (one credit), will be held as an Osaka University International Certificate Program S (OUICP-S), a hybrid-type international exchange program. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the director of the Center for Global Initiatives.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Enderun College Spring Language Study Program (International exchange subject: Experiencing the Cultural Environment of the Philippines)

*Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are no longer being accepted. (The program will be held online.)

This is an English Study Program in which participants study at Enderun College, The Philippines from the end of February to the beginning of March. This program is primarily held in a one-on-one format, with some group lessons included as well. The content of the program is catered to each participant's level and is best suited for students who are studying abroad for the first time and students who are looking for intensive English study.

Participants in this program will complete the International Exchange Subject, “Intercultural Experience in the Philippines,” and those who completed this program will receive academic credit along with academic assessment based on the criteria specified in the syllabus.

*Note: Students who have already participated in the Enderun College Summer Language Study Program cannot apply for this program.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Reference: Enderun College

Enderun College Summer Language Study Program (International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the Philippines)

Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are no longer being accepted. (The program will be held online.)

This English Study Program is held at Enderun University for three weeks from mid-August to early September. In this program, participants attend mainly private tutoring according to their levels. This program is best suited for students who will study abroad for the first time and those who wish to learn English intensively.

Participants in this program will attend the OU’s International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the Philippines and those who completed this program will receive academic credit along with academic assessment based on the criteria specified in the syllabus.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Reference: Enderun College

University of Hawaii at Manoa Summer Language Study Program (International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the United States 1)

Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are no longer being accepted.

This English Study Program is held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA for five weeks from the end of August to the end of September. In addition to English classes at the language training center, participants will be able to experience the history and culture of Hawaii. This is a program for beginners, so participants who will study abroad for the first time can participate with ease.

Participants in this program will attend OU's International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the United States 1 and those who completed this program will receive academic credit along with academic assessment based on the criteria specified in the syllabus.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Reference: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

University of Groningen Short Study Program (International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the Netherlands (Spring))

*This program is not taking applications for AY2024.

This Study Program will be held at University of Groningen, the Netherlands for 14 days from mid-February through early March.

Participants in this program will attend OU's International Exchange Subject: Intercultural Experience in the Netherlands (Spring). Those who completed this program will receive academic credit and academic assessment based on the criteria specified in the syllabus.

Application guidelines and forms can be found here.

Reference: University of Groningen

In addition to the above-mentioned programs, Osaka University provides various overseas training programs. For details, view the pamphlets and guidebooks listed above.