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Kansai Gaidai University

Japan 2022/2023 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Japanese Studies / Japanese Studies

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
Japanese

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2022
spring 2023

Period of placement (from-to):
2022-08-21 - 2023-07-27

Number of months:
11

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
At the university’s website or annually published booklet (also available at the website).

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Motivation letter (both for MUNI and KGU), statement of purpose, formal application issued by the university.

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
I issued the application half a year before my departure, however, most of the organization took place from four months on.

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Visa-format ID photograph, passport, certificate of eligibility (sent beforehand by the university), negative PCR test for COVID-19 (since I was leaving during the pandemic). Most documents were issued by the university.

Length of wait for visa:
Five days.

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. The courses at KGU would be exchanged for courses taught at my home faculty (after issuing the Learning Agreement).

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes. I was unable to estimate which courses I will be taking at KGU since the selection of courses is partially based on lottery, and therefore I finalized the Changes of Learning Agreement after my final set of courses was issued by the university.

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
The course registration took place a few days before the start of the semester. The main student-led registration is conducted through a Rapport website used by the university. The student chooses up to six courses (minimum of four courses is required) they would like to take in the upcoming semester. After that, the university conducts a lottery in courses where the number of registered students eclipsed the capacity of the course. The students chosen are later formally signed up for the course, the others are offered another course that doesn’t collide with their other choices. Changes can be made up to 14 days into the semester, same as at MUNI.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
yes

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
The students are assessed based on participation in class and lectures, group and individual projects, midterm and final examinations, and, in case of courses of Japanese, weekly quizzes. Most of the courses I have taken consisted of lectures and group or class discussions, while several class periods were dedicated to presentations. However, some courses can consist of movie screenings or other methods of teaching.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
The quality is comparable and differs from course to course. In all the courses I have taken, the quality of teaching was great, and since the classes are smaller, I felt like the professors developed a stronger bond with the students.

How did you receive study materials?:
Yes, weekly or class-to-class readings, extra materials for Japanese and Kanji classes, and some professors gave us handouts for each lecture.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Any course taught by Professor Cogan, I have taken all the courses taught by him at KGU and I couldn’t recommend them more. Furthermore, classes taught by Professor Daut and Professor Porteux. For students interested in Japanese music and culture I would also recommend the class teaching Koto basics.

How well is the school library equipped?:
Well equipped with books related to linguistics, social sciences, political sciences and history, as well as fiction both in Japanese and English. I don't have any experience in searching in other fields of study.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Computers are available at both dormitories and libraries at both campuses, however, for me it was more convenient to have my own laptop / iPad. Basic software is enough. Internet access provided at all school grounds and both dormitories.

Options from printing and copying:
Printers and copiers are available at both dormitories, libraries at both campuses and also 7/11 convenience store at both campuses. All are very easy to access and use. Arriving exchange students are given credit for printing at the beginning of the semester, which lasted me and my friends for major part of our year at KGU. After that it is possible to buy more credit.

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

If yes then what?:
Field trips to neighboring cities or sites in Kansai (Nagoya, Kyoto, Ise Shrine), monthly events at the YUI dormitory, monthly events at the main Nakamiya campus, such as Open Campus, university festival, Obon festival and more.

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

or describe in your own words:
The local students were very interested in talking to exchange students and getting to know us, so it was very easy to find local students to talk to or spend time with.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Dormitory at Gotenyama Campus, Global Commons YUI.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
0 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
The price of accommodation is covered by MUNI and KGU together (based on the mutual agreement).

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
The room at YUI is equipped with a desk, chair, quite large shelf, bed with two drawers, small fridge, trash bin, clothes rack, wardrobe, open shelf for clothes, air conditioner. I didn't necessarily need anything, so I bought only my own stand for shoes, hanger, cutlery and cup and a bowl. Main kitchen equipment such as pots or pans are provided.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
With the application.

What are the catering options?:
Both campuses have a cafeteria offering lunch, the cafeteria at Gotenyama campus offers also dinners and breakfasts. Everything for a very reasonable prices.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Fruits and vegetables are the most expensive, and about twice as expensive as in the Czech Republic, except for the fruits or vegetables specifically grown in Japan. Avocados are less expensive. The other groceries are about the same price.

Transport to location of placement:
Very easy. Hirakata lies on the route of the Keihan Railway from Osaka to Kyoto. There are also city buses that run from the main train station to most parts of the city.

Rough prices for transportation:
Transportation is more expensive, however, it all depends on how often the students travels. Keihan Railway is less expensive than JR.

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Transportation cards such as ICOCA (for Kansai), or Suica or Pasmo (for the whole Japan) are very convenient and easy to use. When traveling with a shinkansen, it is good to issue a gakuwari (学割, student discount ticket) at the CIE office, provides quite significant discount for the shinkansen trains when traveling over 100 km.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
I was mostly walking in Hirakata, everything is in a walkable distance, however, many people buy bikes. The city has a bus-system that is also very easy to use.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Residence card was issued for me at the airport.

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?):
I used both the insurance from the Czech Republic as well as the Japan National Health Insurance. The price was reasonable, so I would recommend getting both.

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?:
A MU student, as well as any other exchange student, can work from the second semester in case they are extending their studies as KGU. If a student wants to work during the second semester, it is necessary to issue a work permit, either during arrival procedures at the airport or later, however, I don't have any personal experience.

Tips for free-time activities:
Traveling (lots of it), spending time with friends, exploring Japan, joining one of the university’s clubs or circles.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
200000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
11

Total number of months:
11

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

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

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0 CZK

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 CZK

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 CZK

c/ amount of other fees (which):
51000 CZK

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
6000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
0 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
3000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
3000 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
This is a very rough estimate, each month was different.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
40

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
42

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

What problems did you have with recognition?:
Some of the courses I wanted to take / took couldn’t be exchanged for any of the courses taught at my home department, and therefore I got only the minimum number of credit. None apart from that.

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
5

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
No.

What would you recommend to take with you:
Personal laptop or iPad, personal medication if the student takes any. Herbal teas (if the student drinks them, very hard to find in Japan).

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
How easy it was to talk to the Japanese friends, how many life-long friends I have made, and generally how transformative the whole experience was.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Nothing, I was truly, honestly very happy during my stay.

Further comments: