Year-in

KONAN UNIVERSITY
Year-in-Japan
C o n t e n t s
1
Kobe City
2
Konan University, KIEC
3
Konan University Year-in-Japan Program
4
Japanese Language Courses
5
Japan Studies Courses
6
Field Trips
7-8
Interaction with Japanese Students --Ajisai Room--
9
Student Accommodation
10
Partner Universities Worldwide
in Konan University Year-in-Japan Program
11-12
Program Calendar
13-14
Message from International Students
Kobe City
Kobe is known as a city having a unique
style and exotic atmosphere. The city has
been influenced by foreign cultures and
flourished as an international port for over
a hundred years.
Kobe is close to Osaka, the economic
capital of the Kansai region, and Kyoto,
the center of Japanese culture and
tradition. Kobe has its own individual
culture and a tradition of international
exchange as a historic port town.
1
K o n an U n iver s i t y
Konan University grew out of the Konan Junior and Senior
High Schools founded in 1919 and 1923, respectively.
The founder and first president of Konan Gakuen was
Hirao Hachisaburo, a distinguished industrialist and
statesperson in the Meiji and Taisho Periods. Konan
University was established in 1951. Today the university has
8 faculties, Letters, Economics, Science and Engineering,
Law, Business Administration, Intelligence and Informatics,
Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and
Technology and Hirao School of Management as well as
6 graduate schools: Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social
Science, Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and
Technology,Law School and Accounting School.
The academic year at Konan University has two
semesters, the first from April to July, and the second from
September to January. Currently, about 9,050 students are
enrolled in the University.
K IEC
(Konan International Exchange Center)
KIEC was established in 1990. Prior to the establishment
of KIEC, Konan University had had an exchange program
since 1976 with the “Illinois Consortium” which consisted of
the University of Illinois, Michigan State University,
the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Hawaii.
Within a few years of the establishment of KIEC,
Konan has expanded and enriched its international
programs by negotiating agreements with more than 10
new universities. Through initiating and managing programs
such as the Study-Abroad Program, the Intensive English
Program, Konan University Year-in-Japan Program and
Summer Intensive Japanese Program, KIEC actively
involves itself in providing both Konan students and students
from abroad with opportunities for language and cultural
studies and the opportunity to benefit from an international
exchange experience.
2
Konan University Year-in-Japan Program
The program for students from the Illinois Consortium
Universities is referred to as the Konan-Illinois Program.
For students from other universities the program is called the
Year-in-Konan Program. Although there are administrative
differences between the two, the academic and pastoral
aspects of the programs are virtually identical. The term
Konan University ‘Year-in-Japan Program’ should be taken
to refer to the program of study and activities followed by all
the exchange students at Konan.
Konan receives about 50 students from abroad every year
and offers a one-year non-degree program. The academic
year for visiting students consists of two semesters, the first
running from September to December, and the second from
January to May. The academic program consists of morning
classes in Japanese language every day from Monday
through Friday, and afternoon classes in Japan Studies,
each meeting twice a week for 90 minutes per meeting. The
Japan Studies courses are taught in English. The normal
course load for all students is Japanese language plus two
Japan Studies courses per semester. An official transcript
of the grades earned by students is forwarded to their home
universities.
R esid en t D ir ec t or
The Illinois Consortium provides full-time resident director
for the Konan-Illinois Program. The Resident Director is
a faculty member of one of the universities in the Illinois
Consortium whose specialty is normally in the field of Japan
Studies. The Resident Director also serves as Deputy
Director of KIEC, and in that role he or she also supervises
non-Consortium students.
The Resident Director
ensures that academic
standards are maintained
and that a high degree of
student care is offered to all
participants.
3
Japanese Language Courses
The Japanese Program provides 5 courses from Japanese
Ⅰ to Ⅴ, covering beginning to advanced levels. The ultimate
purpose of the Japanese courses is to help students
communicate fluently with Japanese people in natural
conversational situations. To achieve this goal, reading,
writing, listening, and speaking Japanese are given equal
emphasis in the courses.
Japanese Ⅰ (Beginning)
In this course, students improve their ability to survive in
everyday situations using Japanese, (This course is not
currently being offered).
Japanese Ⅱ (Pre-Intermediate)
In this course, students develop the four basic language skills,
especially their listening and speaking skills so that they are
able to handle daily basic communication in Japanese.
Japanese Ⅲ (Intermediate)
In this course the four skills are equally emphasized so that
they can express themselves with flexibility and creatively in a
variety of situations.
Japanese Ⅳ (Pre-Advanced)
The object of this course is to prepare for advanced level
course. They can develop their ability to communicate
effectively with Japanese people. Also they are required to give
an oral presentation and to write an essay on a given subjects.
Japanese Ⅴ (Advanced)
In this course, students develop their reading and writing skills
through extensive study of vocabulary and kanji. Also, students
refine their ability to express abstract ideas and exchange
sophisticated opinions about a wide variety of topics.
Placement
Students are assigned to an appropriate level according
to the results of a placement test and an interview in
Japanese, regardless of their previous period of learning.
Class Size
For each level there are a maximum of 5 classes offered,
depending on the number of students enrolled. Whenever
possible, the size of each
class is limited to at most 15
students in order to maximize
individualized instruction.
Most years, from 8 to 12
students tend to be enrolled
in each class
4
Japan Studies Courses
Several non-language courses related to Japan are offered
each semester. Courses vary somewhat from year to
year depending upon the interests of the students and the
research interests of English-speaking faculty members
available to teach courses. For students with an adequate
level of language proficiency, regular Konan University
courses are also available. Permission to take regular
classes is granted after an assessment of language skill.
Examples of Japan Studies courses (2008-9):
Japan Studies I
Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
Japan Studies V
Japanese History
M&A and Corporate Governance
Fall
Japan Studies Ⅷ
Semester
in Japan
Japan Studies Ⅸ
Japanese Art History
Japan Studies ⅩⅢ Joint Seminar
Japan Studies Ⅱ
Language in Japanese Society
Japan Studies Ⅲ
Modern Japanese Literature
Japan Studies Ⅳ
Japanese Education and Culture
Japan Studies Ⅵ
Popular Japanese Religion
Spring
Semester
Japan Studies Ⅶ
Japan Studies Ⅹ
5
Business and Management
in Japan
Japanese Cinema
F i e l d Tr i p s
Among the highlights in the program are the field trips. KIEC
organizes several field trips throughout a year and provides
the students with the opportunity to see a variety of regions
and unique cultural aspects of Japan. These field trips offer
excellent occasions for the students to bond as a group and
experience the real Japan together.
Examples of past field trips include:
Awaji-shima
Ise-shima
Hida Takayama
Hiroshima
Kanazawa
Kotohira
Koya-san
Matsuyama
Yamaguchi
6
Interaction with Japanese Students
Campus Tour and Downtown Tour
Konan students show exchange students around the
campus, and later take them on a downtown tour in the
Sannomiya area at orientation.
Coffee Hour / Tea Party
This is a casual gathering of Konan Students and Exchange
students. Light snacks and drinks are provided. Students
can make friends over tea.
Brother and Sister (B&S) Program
Exchange students can
communicate by e-mail
with Konan students prior
to their arrival. On arrival
at Konan, students can
meet the friends they have
made by e-mail. This helps
students to make friends to
get off to a good start when
they arrive in Japan.
Joint Seminar
Unlike the other Japan
Studies courses, this is one
which Konan students are
encouraged to join.
Exchange students can
share ideas with Konan
Students in discussion
groups. Both cultural and
academic interaction is
encouraged by this course.
7
Physical Education (PE) Classes
Exchange students have
a chance to join the
regular Konan PE Classes
including Badminton,
Volleyball, Tennis and
so on. It is the good
opportunity to make friends
with Konan students
through sports.
Konan Regular Classes
We encourage exchange students with above-average
Japanese ability to attend regular Konan classes as an
auditor. The academic challenge offered by this experience
is a good way for students to make the most of their time
at Konan. Students who decide to take a Konan class are
expected to attend regularly.
A jisai R o o m
The Ajisai Room is the space
to spend time here with other students. Ajisai means
hydrangea. This flower is the emblem of Kobe. The
Ajisai Room was named by Professor David Plath of
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the
first director of the Konan-Illinois Program. Professor
Plath hoped that the
students he sent to
Konan would ‘bloom’
as beautifully as the
hydrangea as a result
of their experiences in
Japan.
8
Student Accommodation
Student housing can be arranged either with a host family or
in a dormitory.
A homestay is an excellent way for exchange students
to improve their Japanese while learning directly about
Japanese culture. The homestay experience is highly valued
by past students, who cherish the friendships they are
able to make and remember their Japanese “mothers and
fathers” with affection long after they return to their home
countries.
Dormitories also provide comfortable living space for those
students who may prefer living among fellow exchange
students. Although dormitories do have rules, they may
appeal to those who want a more independent lifestyle.
You can decide which type of accommodation is best
for you. We will do our best to make the necessary
arrangements.
*For details of the changes for next year’s program,
please contact the KIEC office and we will be happy to send
you information.
9
Partner Universities Worldwide
in Konan University Year-in-Japan Program
U.K.
❶University of Leeds
France
❷University of Tours
❸University Jean Moulin-Lion 3
Germany
❹Humbolt University at Berlin
U.S.A
❺University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
❻The State University of New York at Buffalo
❼University of Pittsburgh
❽University of Arizona
❾University of Hawaii
Canada
University of Victoria
Carleton University
Australia
Murdoch University
Edith Cowan University
10
P rogram Calendar
September
Arrival at Kansai International Airport
Orientation / Welcome Party
Konan University Year-in-Japan Program starts
Fall Semester classes begin
Brother&Sister Program tea party “SAWAKAI”
Field trip to Mt. Koya
October
“Coffee Hour”
Pizza Party with Host families
Japanese Language classes Mid-Term Exam
November
Field trip to Kanazawa
University Festival
Holiday Party
December
Japan Studies classes / Japanese
Language classes Final exam
Winter Recess
January
February
Spring Semester classes begin
“Coffee Hour”
Japanese Language classes Mid-Term Exam
March
May
Field trip to Hiroshima, west side of Japan
Japan Studies classes / Japanese Language
classes Final Exam
Farewell Party
Konan University Year-in-Japan Program ends
11
12
M essage from International Students
Emily L o ve
University of Pittsburgh
S
o far I think that my year in Japan
has been the best part of my
college experience. It helped to put
what Japanese I had learned into
perspective because the entire country
became the classroom. Practice came
not only from staying with a host family
but also in forms such as navigating the
Tokyo subway system and ordering at
restaurants. Learning experiences were
not just limited to language. Getting to
see the places I only heard about in
history class was awesome. However,
living here on a daily basis meant that
I was not merely a tourist and therefore
I got to see the culture up close.
I’ve really come to enjoy living here and
hope to come back for an even longer
period of time in the future.
Ju lien n e F an g
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M
y experience here in Japan has
been great so far. There are so
many places to see, people to meet,
and things to experience that it is
sometimes a little overwhelming. This
study abroad program is all about
opportunity and I took the time and
effort to befriend Japanese students,
join the school’s badminton club, spend
time with the host family, and travel
around. All of these have made me
learn about Japan’s culture on a deeper
level and truly makes me appreciate
that I’m in Japan. Everyday I find
another discovery about Japan and
improve my Japanese language skills.
I have also learned a great deal about
myself and believe that I have opened
many doors to the future because of
this study abroad program.
13
Elisa Vaz q u ez
State University of New York at Buffalo
I
am very grateful to have had the
opportunity to enter a program such
as the one offered by Konan University.
First of all, the KIEC staff work very hard
to make their international students feel
welcome and are always willing to lend
support when it is needed. Secondly,
the university’s academic program is a
strong one. A variety of Japan Studies
classes are offered that allow each
student to engage themselves in a
topic of their interest. Language classes
move at a challenging pace that equips
students with the necessary skills for everyday life in Japan.
I was especially surprised with how much I was able to improve
in such a short time. Although I was at first reluctant to test
my speaking ability I have since become much more at ease
conversing in Japanese. Lastly, even though I was not able to
have the home-stay option I am still very happy to be here.
I have become close with the girls at my dorm and we frequently
go out with the other dorm students as we live fairly close-by.
These friends, in addition to the ones I have made at school, are
for me something I will treasure for many years to come.
B en jamin H o o d
University of Hawai’i at Manoa
M
y year in Japan was amazing, and
I would recommend it to anyone.
The Japanese language classes were
well taught, and living with a host family
helped reinforce things I would learn in
class. I feel my Japanese has gotten
much better in the short time I have
been here. The teachers would always
be available when I needed extra help.
Thanks to the program I have made
a lot of friends and have experienced
things I will never forget. The KIEC staff
was always available to answer my
questions. It’s been a once in a lifetime
experience that would not trade for
anything.
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Konan International Exchange Center
8-9-1, Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-City, Hyogo, Japan 658-8501
TEL +81-(0)78-452-1641ýFAX +81-(0)78-435-2557
E-mail [email protected]
URL http://www.konan-u.ac.jp/kiec/
Location
GIFU
HYOGO
KYOTO
SHIGA
KOBE CITY
KONAN UNIVERSITY
OSAKA
MIE
NARA
TOKUSHIMA
WAKAYAMA