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OIP NOTICE FOR ALL JAPANESE PROGRAMS:

For your OIP application to Japan, several letters of academic recommendation and/or a language evaluation are required. Unfortunately, most of our program sponsors will only accept letters of recommendation submitted on their own university form.

To save time and assist your faculty recommenders, we encourage you to use the application forms for the specific programs you are applying to. If you are applying to two programs through OIP, you will need to ask your faculty to write their letter of recommendation on multiple forms.

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Students who are interested in applying for the Kyoto KCJS program as a 1st or 2nd choice program must complete the KCJS online application form and provide letters of recommendation using the KCJS forms. You can access the KCJS application online, and will find the letters of recommendation in that online application. You will need to register and complete the application form online. Here is the link to the paper versions of the letter of academic recommendation form, the language evaluation form, and the study abroad advisor approval form. All three are required. For the study abroad advisor approval form, please just complete the “to the student” portion of the form and submit to the OIP for completion by the Japan program study abroad advisor.

Students must submit an official transcript for KCJS specifically, even if it is your 2nd choice. They will not accept unofficial transcripts.

For the Kyoto program: do not complete the OIP letters of recommendation/ language evaluation form, but you are still required to complete the OIP online application and all other supporting documentation.

For cost information click below:

• Fall and Academic Year
• Winter

All students interested in applying to study in Japan for Winter 2010 or for AY 2010-11

The Bridging Scholarship program will award 20 scholarships to American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan that begin in Spring (U-M Winter) 2010. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study and attending any recognized exchange or independent program in Japan are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Recipients of Bridging Scholarships will receive stipends of $2,500 or $4,000, depending on the length of their study program in Japan. 

The scholarships are funded by donations from U.S. corporations and foundations to the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation. Since 1999, the Bridging Scholarship program has awarded 950 scholarships to students studying abroad in Japan. Most recently, 68 students from colleges and universities in 29 states received scholarships for study in Japan beginning in the Fall 2009 semester.

The deadline for applications for Spring (U-M Winter) 2010 scholarships is October 6, 2009. Applicants will be notified of the results by November 25. 

Selection will be based on academic potential and financial need. The scholarships are administered by the Association of Teachers of Japanese.

Spring 2010 programs are those beginning between January and April 2010 and continuing for at least three months.

Students planning to study abroad in Japan beginning in Fall 2010 or for the 2010-2011 academic year should apply in April 2010 for the Fall 2010 scholarships.

Information on the Bridging scholarships and downloadable application forms are available at ATJ's website.

14-16 Michigan in-residence credits per term

• Sophomore standing
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Minimum B average in Japanese language classes
• Minimum 4 semesters college-level Japanese language for Fall and Academic Year program
• Minimum 5 semesters college-level Japanese language for Winter program

KCJS students undergo intensive language training with full-time Japanese instructors. They also take two content courses each term from a specific selection of social science and humanities courses on both pre-modern and modern Japan. All content courses are taught in English by Japanese consortium university professors. Most courses incorporate field trips, site visits and/or guest lecturers. For student with advanced language skills in Japanese, an independent study project may be possible or may audit classes in Japanese.

NOTE: As of summer 2009, this Kyoto program is moving to Doshisha University, with no change in program structure or academic offerings.

Host university web link: Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Host university handbook: Kyoto Handbook (Columbia)
Guide for Accepted Students: Kyoto Supplemental Program Handbook 2009-10 Academic Year (PDF)
Guide for Accepted Students: Kyoto Supplemental Program Handbook 2009 Winter (PDF)
Guide for Accepted Students: KCJS Program Handbook 2009 Winter (PDF)
Specific Funding Opportunity: Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
General OIP Study Abroad Manual (PDF)
Talk with a program Student Alum: E-Advisor
Talk with Japan’s Study Abroad Advisor: oip-japan@umich.edu

OIP Study Abroad Programs
Non-OIP Study Abroad Programs
OIP Study Abroad Fair
Applying
Other useful links