Japan: Musashi University Exchange

Overview 

The Musashi exchange program is offered in conjunction with Musashi University, which is located in Tokyo, Japan. Participants take East Asian Studies (EAS) and Japanese language courses alongside 20-30 program participants from Musashi’s partner institutions worldwide. Small class sizes, strong student support services and a community-oriented university atmosphere makes Musashi a place where students can connect with EAS instructors and staff, Japanese students and local culture

Fall 2023 information session: October 23 at 5pm in Baker Center Rm. 233

Highlights

Musashi University is a small, private university in Tokyo that enrolls approximately 4,000 students. The university has over 90 recognized student clubs and organizations that OU students can get involved in. While on campus, students also have the support of the International Studies Center, which is dedicated to serving Musashi’s international students. The EAS program also plans social events and monthly excursions specifically for its students. 

Other highlights include:

• Convenient Tokyo location (near Shinjuku & Ikebukuro)
• Intimate campus environment
• Small class sizes
• Strong student support services
• Social and cultural activities
• Housing placements at local dorms

Program Dates 

Actual dates will vary based on host institutions academic calendar, but below are estimated timeframes.

Fall Semester: September - December
Spring Semester: April - July 
Academic Year: September - July

Application Deadline

Application for fall semester 2024 is now open! Apply no later than December 15, 2023.

Living Arrangements 

Students who request housing assistance from Musashi University will be place in one of the following dormitories based upon availability. Be sure to see the appropriate student budget worksheet below for each housing option.

1. Asaka Plaza: Located about an hour from campus by train. Asaka Plaza offers a breakfast and dinner meal plan (Monday-Saturday).
2. Rikko Kaikan: A dormitory for international students in Tokyo located about 20 minutes walking-distance from campus. Rikko Kaikan does not offer a meal plan. Students have access to a kitchen where they can prepare meals. 
3. DK House: A residence facility located about 25 minutes by public transportation. Students have access to a dining hall or use the kitchen to prepare their own meals.

All facilities feature single-rooms with shared bathrooms and showers.

Academics  

Each semester, exchange participants will enroll in 3-4 courses taught in English plus one Japanese language course. Students will earn approximately 15-18 credit hours per semester at Musashi U. Japanese language classes meet four days per week for 90 minutes.

Students may select from East Asian Studies courses such as: 

Fall Term 

• Japan and International Society
• Japanese Culture and Society
• Japanese History
• Modern Arts of Asia
• Survey of Global Media and Communication
• Survey of Japanese Literature
• Seminar in Global Asia Studies
• Topics in Global Business
• Topics in Technology and Society
• Fieldwork in Japan

Sample course descriptions at Musashi University

Cost  

Participants pay for 12-20 credit hours of OHIO tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs including costs for potential required quarantine upon arrival. Below are the student budget worksheets for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Several different residence halls and living options are offered. See information above to learn more about living arrangements when studying at Musashi University.

Fall 2024 Rikko Dorm Student Budget Worksheet
Fall 2024 Asaka Dorm Student Budget Worksheet
Fall 2024 DK House Student Budget Worksheet

Items that are not related to the program (i,e., additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Funding Opportunities

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements 

The program is open to all students who are in good academic standing. No prior Japanese study is required for study during fall semester. For study during spring semester, it is recommended that students have one year of Japanese at the time of application. 

When applying for this program, applicants will be asked to submit a copy of their passport. If you are considering applying for this exchange program and do not currently hold a valid passport, you are advised to apply for a passport  as soon as possible.  

This program is designed specifically for students who wish to complete an East Asian Studies major, minor, or certificate or simply have an interest in studying in Japan. No prior background in the language or the culture is required. Students who have participated in the Chubu Program or who wish also to spend more time than outlined above studying Japanese can also be accommodated. Please discuss these interests with the contact persons listed below before applying. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.

This program does not accept NON-OHIO students.

To be considered for this program, participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program. Additionally, students should have completed one year of college by the time of travel. Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport  now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country.

U.S. citizens  will need a visa  to enter the country for the length of this program. OGO will advise students on the visa process. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

See the U.S. Consulate's website concerning travel to Japan with medication(s). If you need support completing a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho,” please reach out to OGO Risk Management.

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page. 

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens  

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations