IES Abroad Tokyo – Language & Culture

Tokyo is a city uniquely its own. It can appear straight from the future with its ultramodern skyscrapers, bright lights, and technology. Mix that with well-maintained and cherished traditions, like tea ceremony, festivals, and kimonos still worn in the streets, and you have a glimpse of Tokyo. Explore all of this and more in this one-of-a-kind city.

Expand your understanding of Japan by immersing yourself in the language. At Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS), you take a 6-credit language course specially designed for IES Abroad students (with the option of taking up to 10 credits of Japanese). You'll also take English-language area studies courses focusing on popular culture, economics, history, political science, and contemporary society. KUIS is a modern and vibrant university with an international faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.

KUIS is located within walking distance of the IES Abroad Center in Makuhari, a modern city in Chiba prefecture, which is in the greater Tokyo area (just 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo). The area around the Center has easy access to public transportation, and offers many public amenities, like shopping and dining, a movie complex, a game arcade, parks, the beach, and open spaces to relax and hang out.

A good way to practice your language skills while getting to know Japanese culture is through your housing option. Live in a homestay with a host family or live in a residence hall or apartment with Japanese university students and young professionals. Both options allow you to get to know the Japanese way of life and make local friends. You can also enroll in the Social Organization in Japan with Field Placement course, which provides you with first-hand experience in a Japanese organization. Spend one day per week as a participant-observer at a local business or not-for-profit organization, and then share your experience in a seminar course to learn more about Japanese culture. With sufficient language ability, you can audit a Japanese-taught digital communications course at Digital Hollywood University. Possible course disciplines include Film, Animation, and Video Game Design.

Required Languages:

Application Procedure:

Applying to an IES Abroad program is easy—just follow the three study abroad application steps outlined below. If you have any questions during the application process, visit the FAQs or contact your Program Advisor at 800.995.2300. You can do this!

1.    Check the application deadline and review the application requirements for your study abroad or internship program of interest. Plan to submit all of the required information by the deadline.

2.    Create an account or log in to complete and submit the initial online study abroad application.

3.    After 1-2 business days, sign in to your MyIESabroad account to view and submit the rest of the application requirements. You will also receive regular emails about deadlines and missing items.

Something unexpected is just around the world. Are you ready? Apply now at: https://www.IESabroad.org/apply