Semester Study Abroad Options in Japan

CU Boulder Education Abroad has great semester program options in Japan. Here's a quick overview of some key differences between programs:

FeaturesSemester DatesCity SizeCosts & On-Site Support

CIEE Japan: Kyoto Open Campus

  • Runs on a block schedule: students take 2 classes per 6-week block over either 2 or 3 blocks
  • Japanese language classes available (but not required) at the beginner level
  • Courses are taught from a study abroad center
  • Fall & Spring
  • Program dates are similar to CU's
Walkable, mid-sized city
  • Cost:
    • 2 blocks: Affordable
    • 3 blocks: Comparable to CU out-of-state costs
  • Level of on-site support: High

CIEE Japan: Tokyo Sophia University

  • Directly enroll in classes at Sophia University while getting additional support through CIEE
  • Course are taught in English from limited academic departments, primarily Arts & Sciences, and Business classes

Spring & Academic Year only

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Spring: late March - early August
Large city, program centrally located in Tokyo*
  • Cost: Comparable to CU out-of-state costs
  • Level of on-site support: High

EAE Akita International University (Akita, Japan)

  • Directly enroll in classes at Akita International University on this affordable student exchange
  • Ed Abroad's most rural program in Japan, the campus sits in a lush, nature-rich area outside of Akita city

Spring, Fall & Academic Year

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Fall: September - December
  • Spring: late March - early August
Smaller city / rural
  • Cost: Affordable
  • Level of On-Site Support: Low

EAE Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan)

  • 3 semesters of JPNS language required
  • Highly independent program
  • Choose from 2 tracks:
    • 10 JPNS credits + 1-2 content classes
    • 3 JPNS credits + 9-12 credits of content classes 

Spring & Academic Year only

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Spring: late March - early August
Walkable, mid-sized city
  • Cost: Affordable
  • Level of On-Site Support: Low

EAE Kansai Gaidai University (Hirakata City, Japan)

  • Earn 5-8 credits of JPNS language
  • Take classes designed for international students
  • Centrally located between Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe
  • Spring, Fall & Academic Year
  • Program dates are similar to CU's
Small city, near Kyoto & Osaka
  • Cost: Affordable
  • Level of On-Site Support: Low

EAE Sophia University (Tokyo, Japan)

  • Highly independent experience
  • Based in central Tokyo
  • Course are taught in English from limited academic departments, primarily Arts & Sciences, and Business classes

Spring & Academic Year only

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Spring: late March - early August
Large city, program centrally located in Tokyo*
  • Cost: Affordable
  • Level of On-Site Support: Low

EAE Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan) (exchange competitive)

  • Highly independent experience
  • Based in central Tokyo
  • One of the few programs that offers STEM coursework

Spring & Academic Year only

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Spring: late March - early August
Large city, program centrally located in Tokyo*
  • Cost: Affordable
  • Level of On-Site Support: Low

TEAN Japan: Tokyo Semester in Japan

  • Based in a suburban area of Tokyo at a smaller university
  • TEAN setting builds a community among the students on the program
  • Take 4 credits of JPNS language and other content courses about Japanese history, culture, etc.

Spring, Fall & Academic Year only

  • Academic Year: September - early August
  • Fall: September - December
  • Spring: late March - early August
Large city, program located in suburban area of Tokyo
  • Cost: Comparable to CU out-of-state costs
  • Level of on-site support: High


*Expect long commutes to housing, which is often not as centrally located as the university