FAQ

• Study abroad
• Short-term language study abroad
• Overseas Field Research Programs
• Others

Study abroad

• Q. What is the difference between Study Abroad through University Agreement and exchange program?
  A. Study Abroad through University Agreement is a general term for a study abroad system in which universities mutually dispatch and accept students based on the Partnership Agreement, which is connected with each other with the purpose of "allowing each other's students to interact in more diverse ways." Based on this Partnership Agreement, a study abroad program that exchanges students from both sides is called an exchange program. Exchange students are exempt from tuition fees at the study abroad destination for mutual exchange. On the other hand, you may need to pay tuition fees for your study abroad destination, so please check the International Exchange Guidebook for details. The study abroad period is six months (one semester) or one year.
• Q. Where should I start to aim for Study Abroad through University Agreement?
  A. First of all, it is important to understand whether you have the language skills necessary to keep up with classes at your study abroad destination and to live locally. To do this, try taking a Foreign Language Proficiency Test. The first step is to find out how much of a difference there is between your current level and the level required for studying abroad. Even if your test results are not as good as you'd like, you can still improve your skills if you start preparing early.
• Q. I want to go to Study Abroad through University Agreement, but I'm a little worried because one year is a long time...
  A. There are two types of Study Abroad through University Agreement: one-year and half-year (one semester). If you are worried about studying abroad for a long time, you can choose to study abroad for half a year first. Another option is to build confidence or get used to life abroad before studying abroad, such as a four-week language training (Short-Term Overseas Language Programs) or a short-term overseas volunteer (" Global Service Learning") program during the summer and spring breaks. We also recommend that you actively take classes in the study abroad preparation course and EAS program to acquire the study skills necessary to take classes at your study abroad destination.
• Q. What if I want to study abroad for just six months?
  A.It is possible to study abroad for six months (one semester) as a semester. The semester available for studying abroad varies depending on the Partner institutions, so the Center for Global EducationInternational Exchange GuidebookPlease check.
• Q. I would like to take a leave of absence and study abroad for six months or a year. What should I do?
  A. If you take a leave of absence to study abroad, you will have to go through all the procedures on your own, from finding a school to applying, preparing documents, arranging visas, and contacting the local area. If you are unsure about doing it on your own, you can also ask a private study abroad agent. Please note that the Center for Global Education does not provide support for students studying abroad other than Study Abroad through University Agreement.
  
  
• Q. Is it possible for me to do a one-year Study Abroad through University Agreement in my second year?
  A. At Musashi University, the most common time to study abroad is in the third year, but it is also possible to study abroad in the second year. Please apply in your first year by following the on-campus application procedures provided by the Global Education Center through 3S and recruitment information sessions. Also, please consult with your supervisor and Academic Affairs Division in advance about your course plan, etc.
• Q. Will Study Abroad through University Agreement in the third year affect my job hunting?
  A. You should give careful thought to job hunting in advance. The timing of your return to Japan will vary depending on your study abroad destination and program, so it is important to make a study abroad plan that suits your goals in advance. If you study abroad for one year starting in September of your third year, you will return to Japan around the end of May. It is important to plan your preparations carefully and act early. Please consult with your academic advisor and Career Development Center in advance. Please note that semester study abroad (one term) is also available.
   
• Q. I am in my fourth year. Can I still study abroad?
  A. If you are enrolled in Musashi University in the year of application and study abroad in the year of application of the Study Abroad through University Agreement, you can study abroad even in the fourth year. However, think in advance about whether you will meet your job hunting and graduation credits. If you study abroad for one year, it usually takes more than five years to graduate. Please fully understand this and consult with your advisor or Academic Affairs Division.

• Q. I would like to take Study Abroad through University Agreement while taking Teacher Training Course, is that possible?
  A. It is possible to study abroad while taking Teacher Training Course at the same time, but it may be difficult to graduate in four years. Please consult with the instructor in charge of Teacher Training Course or Academic Affairs Division in advance.
  
  
• Q. I want to Study Abroad through University Agreement for one year from next year, when should I apply?
  A. Applications for Study Abroad through University Agreement must be made in the year prior to the year in which you will study abroad, regardless of the time of your trip. Prospective students will apply to the Center for Global Education in late June. After that, we will apply for the main application in early September. To apply, you must submit various certificates such as the Foreign Language Proficiency Test that meet the language standards of the university you are studying in. Notices regarding on-campus applications will be posted on 3S, so please check 3S regularly so as not to miss out.
• Q. I'm worried about whether I can apply for a visa myself...
  A. You can obtain a visa yourself, or, depending on the country, you can ask a travel agency or visa application agency to handle the process for you (additional fees apply). Even if you do the process yourself, be sure to carefully read the visa application procedures on the website of the embassy of the country you are traveling to, and follow the instructions to complete the process by the specified deadline. As a general rule, you should complete the visa application process at least two months before your intended date of travel. Please note that visa acquisition procedures may change depending on the situation and political climate of the country. It is important to always check the latest information and make preparations well in advance.

• Q. What is important in the selection of Study Abroad through University Agreement?
  A.The minimum requirement for application is to meet the language standards set by each host university. In addition, important points include whether you have a clear purpose for studying abroad and future plans, your grades at Musashi University, and your language ability. The better your grades at school, the more advantageous it will be for selection, so please make sure to study hard at university in addition to your language studies.
  
  
• Q. What level of language ability do I need to study abroad?
  A.The language proficiency required varies depending on the school and the subjects you are taking, so please check the information below.
  International Exchange Guidebook
  
  English-speaking Partner institutions have a subdivided language standard required. In recent years, more and more universities have been offering intensive English courses and university preparation courses for students who do not meet the language standards, opening up opportunities for more students to study abroad.However, in the one-year Study Abroad through University Agreement, in principle, you will not only learn the language, but also take Specialized Courses in the language of your study abroad destination. Imagine that all the classes you are currently taking will be in English. At your study abroad destination, you attend classes with local university students, listen to lectures in the local language, take notes, give reports and presentations, and take exams. Even if you meet the language standards, it is not enough. Seniors who have actually studied abroad are also making efforts to improve their language skills.Additionally, students who have studied German, French, Korean, or Chinese for the first time after enrolling are encouraged to actively study outside of regular classes in order to acquire sufficient language skills for studying abroad.
  
  
• Q. What kind of subjects can I take locally?
  A.As a rule, Outbound Exchange Students is free to choose any subject. However, depending on your language skills and Specialized Courses level, you may be limited in your studies. If you do not meet the language standards for taking Specialized Courses, some universities have a system that allows you to take language classes at a language school affiliated with the university for the first half of your study abroad. Please check the website of each university for details.
  Partner institutions List
• Q. How are the credits earned while studying abroad recognized?
  A. Credits earned at the host university will be reviewed based on documents submitted after returning to Japan, and will only be considered credits at Musashi University if they are approved. Therefore, it is not possible to determine how many credits will be approved before departure. Also, approval standards vary depending on the faculty and department. If you would like to know about past cases or the experiences of previous students, please contact the Global Education Center.
  When applying for credit transfer, a comprehensive review will be conducted on the syllabus, textbooks, notes, reports, handouts, grade sheets, etc. Please be sure to take these materials with you when you return to your home country. In addition, to apply for credit transfer, you will need the original transcript issued by the host university. PDFs and copies will not be accepted, so please be careful not to lose them.
• Q. Are there scholarships available for studying abroad?
  A. Yes, there is. Musashi University offers scholarships for Outbound Exchange Students. For one year of studying abroad, scholarships are provided up to one-half of the annual tuition fee. In addition, if you need to pay tuition fees to the host university, you will receive a scholarship up to 1/2 of the equivalent of the tuition fee of Musashi University only if the tuition fee of the host university exceeds the tuition fee of Musashi University. For Outbound Exchange Students of six months (semester study abroad), scholarships will be provided up to one-half of the above one-year study abroad scholarship.

Short-term language study abroad (Short-term Language study abroad program)

• Q. Are there any language requirements for participating in Short-term Language study abroad program?
  A.Short-term Language study abroad program are so-called "language training" where you study a language overseas. Therefore, as a general rule, there are no language standards required when participating. You can participate in all programs, from beginner to advanced, depending on your current language ability. In some programs, you will take a placement test after arriving in the country, and you will take classes in a class that matches your language ability. However, if you wish to participate in a program other than English, and you are learning that language for the first time after entering university, we recommend that you participate from your second year onwards.
• Q: Where should I start?
  A. If you are considering participating, please attend the guidance session to learn more about the program.
  The information session for the summer program is held in April, and the information session for the spring program is held in September or October. When applying to the Global Education Center after that, passports for both the participant and guarantor are required, so students and their family members who do not have passports should first obtain them.
• Q. Is there a limit to the number of participants? When should I apply?
  A. Yes, each program has a set number of applicants and a minimum number of participants. Regarding application periods, summer programs usually accept applications from late April to May, and spring programs from October to November. Deadlines vary depending on the program, so please check the details at the information session.
  Study Abroad Process
• Q. How much does Short-term Language study abroad program cost?
  A. It depends on the location, duration, time of year (summer or spring), exchange rate, and number of participants, but generally it is about 500,000 to 700,000 yen in Asia and about 800,000 to 900,000 yen in Europe and the United States (both excluding expenses such as mobile phone, insurance, pocket money, etc.). The amount will fluctuate depending on the exchange rate, so please check the pamphlet distributed at the recruitment information session for details.
  For details Short-term Language study abroad program
• Q. Is there free time or sightseeing during Short-term Language study abroad program?
  A.It is. However, since Short-term Language study abroad program is an intensive language class conducted in Partner institutions abroad, classes are almost always held in the morning and afternoon on weekdays, and homework is also assigned every day. On the other hand, there are often excursion options available on weekends, with the opportunity to visit tourist attractions and other attractions.
• Q. If I participate in a one-month Short-term Language study abroad program, will I receive credits?
  A.When applying, please select "I would like to receive credits," and after completing the local program, submit the required documents and undergo an examination.P" (2 credits) will be recognized. If you participate in the summer program, it will be recognized as a credit for the fall semester, and if you participate in the spring program, it will be recognized as a credit for the spring semester of the following year. These credits are not subject to the "restrictions on the number of credits you can register for."

Overseas Field Research Programs

• Q. Can Overseas Field Research Programs?
  A. You can choose your own training site, but in principle, please select a training site that meets the risk information of "No Level" and infectious disease risk information of "Level 1" on the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website." If you travel to a country that falls under any other level, or if the level rises after you apply, our university may instruct you to cancel your training.
• Q: When should I apply?
  A. To participate in Overseas Field Research Programs you must first go through an internal selection process. Usually, guidance is given in April for summer recruitment and in September for spring recruitment, and the deadline for application documents is in late April and early October. For more information, please see Overseas Field Research Programs Program page of the Study Abroad Program.
  Overseas Field Research Programs
• Q.What is important when selecting Overseas Field Research Programs?
  A. During the document screening and interview, we will comprehensively evaluate your project content, the specificity of your plan, your motivation, and your language ability. During the interview, questions and answers will be asked in English as well as Japanese. Therefore, please prepare in advance so that you can respond fluently in English.
• Q. Are there scholarships available?
  A. Yes, there is. Currently, the maximum amount of the grant is 300,000 yen per person. The amount of the grant will be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of the training location, training period, and training content.
• Q.I would like to participate with multiple people. Is that possible?
  A.It is also possible for multiple people to work together to plan and conduct field surveys. However, even in this case, the scholarship will be awarded to one person.30The maximum amount is 10,000 yen.

Others

• Q. Can I hear directly from people who have studied abroad about what it's like there?
  A. Yes, it is. The Global Education Center manages the information of students who have previously studied abroad in each program and have agreed to share their contact information. If you would like to get in touch with someone who has studied abroad, please contact the Global Education Center. We do not respond by phone or email.
• Q. Will studying abroad or training abroad give me an advantage when looking for a job?
  A. Studying abroad or undergoing training overseas will not give you an advantage in finding employment. Even in job interviews, you will be asked about your objectives and results, such as why you participated in the study abroad or training overseas, what you learned, and how you grew. We recommend that you do not just judge whether it will be useful for your job search, but also plan your study abroad experience with your future goals and the person you want to be. Spending a fulfilling time abroad and enriching your experience will ultimately lead to employment.
• Q. How should I manage my money overseas?
  A. When traveling abroad, it is common to use credit cards and international debit cards (cash cards). A credit card is always necessary. For example, it can be useful as a last resort if you run out of cash or need to make a large payment. Debit cards can only be used up to the amount deposited, so there is no need to worry about overspending like with credit cards. Also, if you suddenly need money, you can have your family in Japan re-deposit it. However, fees can be high, so you should check in advance. If you are staying for a long period of time, opening an account at a local bank is also an option.
• Q. What should I do if something happens while I'm staying there?
  A. You will be given contact information in case of an emergency during your pre-departure orientation. Please always carry the booklet or guide distributed at orientation with you while you are staying in the country, and follow the instructions to contact the appropriate person if any problems arise.
• Q. How can I become a Campus Mate?
  A.10There is a Campus Mate room on the 8th floor of Building No., so please feel free to visit.Instagram​accountSo please check it out.
• Q. I would like to make friends with international students. What are some ways to do this?
  A. Try visiting Musashi Communication Village (MCV) on the 3rd floor of Building 1. It is a place where you can interact with international students and Japanese student staff, and various events are held there. If you have the opportunity to get to know them personally through classes or other events, try to be proactive and talk to them.