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Kwansei Gakuin University

Japan 2024/2025 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
Study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Literature and Intercultural Communication / Literature and Intercultural Communication

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2024

Period of placement (from-to):
2024-09-10 - 2025-01-31

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
At Kwansei Gakuin University website.

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
I needed to upload Transcript of Records, Language Certificate and Motivation letter to ISOIS. Also Assessment of Japanese language level, Health check, Bank balance etc., but university sends list of everything.

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
a few months ahead

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Certificate of Eligibility from host university, pasport and photo.

Length of wait for visa:
around one week

Fee for the visa:
none

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
no

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
During orientation week after coming to Japan through school IS. Courses can be changed 2 weeks after the start of semester.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
yes

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
no

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
1 credit at Kwansei Gakuin is 2 ECTS acording to system Japanese schools use.

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
The courses all consist of lectures given by teachers in either japanese or english, depending on the course. Most courses consist of some form of discussion. Assessment is done by either exam, writen essay, presentation or combination of these. Exams are pretty easy if you pay attention in classes. Most classes have mandatory attendence.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
similar to MUNI.

How did you receive study materials?:
Mostly from teachers through IS. Had to buy some workbooks for language classes but they were very cheap.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Anything with Brian Walsh is gonna be interesting.

How well is the school library equipped?:
They have enough sources in english and japanese.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
For some classes we needed to use our laptop, but this information is given in advance so you can choose not to take that class. There are school computers avalible in library and in computer classrooms.

Options from printing and copying:
Yes, library or conviniece store at campus.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
Various parties and cultural program such as tasting or cooking class.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
3

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
School dorm - Yukoryo

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
370 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
You get single room with bed, closet, table, AC. Kithen and bathroom is shared, but both are spacious and relatively clean. You dont need to bring anything special for the room.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
Few months ahead. School sends you information you need so just wait for that.

What are the catering options?:
Some dorms offer breakfast and dinner (not Yukoryo). But the dorms are also very close to campus which has 2 canteens, KFC and Starbucks. You can also cook in shared kitchen.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Some things are more expensive, such as fruits and some are cheeper (tofu, fish). But in general prices of groceries are simillar to Czechia. Restaurants and shool canteens are cheaper that in Brno.

Transport to location of placement:
There are lot of flights from either Prague, Vienna or Bratislava. You can either to Osaka or Tokyo and take shinkansen to Osaka.

Rough prices for transportation:
700 for round trip flight ticket Prague to Osaka (Air France).

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
For flight to Japan: try to book tickets ahead of time if possible. Buying round trip is cheaper than buying one way twice.

For transportation in Japan: get IC card such as ICOCA or SUICA, they are convinient.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Bus, train, bicycle, on foot.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Not much except for visa. Residence premit is arranged after arrival with the help from school.

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
You pay for japanese health insurance around 1700 yen a month, this is mandatory if you stay longer than 3 months. You will register at city hall together with residence premit (school organises this).

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
No

Did you work during your studies?:
No.

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
Kwansei Gakuin will let you work but you need to wait a month after coming to Japan.

Tips for free-time activities:
Travel, karaoke, having fun with other exchange students. You can also use university facilities such as gym and swimming pool or join some school club.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
100000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
5

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
my savings from part time jobs etc.

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
20000 JPY

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
20000 JPY

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 JPY

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 JPY

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
17000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
10000 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
4000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
3000 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
12

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
24

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
none

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
4

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
3

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
4

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
no

What would you recommend to take with you:
passport, laptop, enough clothes

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
How relaxed most of the teachers were

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
nothing

Further comments: