Global exchange

Studying overseas

The biggest merit of studying abroad is that you can spend a certain period of time in an environment completely different from Japan while still being a student, and learn while experiencing differences in cultural backgrounds and values. Not only will you gain new knowledge, but it will also be a good opportunity to re-examine Japanese society from a new angle and reaffirm your student life in Japan. Many of the faculty members of the Faculty of Letters have experience in studying abroad, overseas training, and overseas research, so we support students’ overseas experience in various ways.

Study Abroad under the Okayama University Short-term Study Abroad Program (EPOK)

Currently, Okayama University has student exchange agreements, including tuition waiver, with partner universities in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Korea. Students can study abroad at these universities through the One-Year Short-Term Study Abroad Program (EPOK). As long as you pay your tuition fees to Okayama University, you will be exempted from tuition fees at the partner universities.

Okayama University Short-term Study Abroad Program (EPOK) [Japanese]

Study Abroad under an Exchange Agreement between Departments

Through interdepartmental exchange agreements, 22 international students from universities around the world were accepted in FY2024. In addition, 18 students were sent to summer school, and 5 students of them participated in in a specialized course called “Cross-Cultural Experience,” which began in FY2023 to visit partner universities overseas, participated in the Singaporean campus of Curtin University. International exchange at the Faculty of Letters will become increasingly active in the future.

In addition, there are university-wide programs at the University of Adelaide (Australia), Portland State University (USA), University of Victoria (Canada), University of York (UK), Sungkyunkwan University (Korea), Jilin University (China), and others. Several students from our faculty also participate in the program each year.

Besides, a new class called “Cross-Cultural Experience” has been offered since the 2023 academic year. Members of the Faculty of Letters lead students to partner universities for exchanges on an irregular basis, with the aim of giving the students a chance to gain experience abroad.

Language Training Program

Privately funded language training programs include a foreign language acquisition / study abroad program in Chinese (Beijing Language and Culture University) and a German summer school (Trier University, Germany), which are conducted mainly by faculty members of the Faculty of Letters. University- wide programs are available at the University of Adelaide (Australia), Portland State University (USA), Victoria University (Canada), the University of York (UK), Seiseikan University (Korea), Jilin University (China), etc. Several students from the Faculty of Letters also participate every year.

Okayama University Overseas Language Training Program

International Exchange on Campus

The number of international students studying at the Faculty of Letters in FY2023 is 8 undergraduate students, 13 exchange students, and 22 students scheduled to enter in October. They come from a wide variety of countries, including China, Korea, Taiwan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Cambodia, Thailand, Germany, France, Russia, Serbia, and Laos. Many students from more diverse countries are enrolled in the graduate school, where they are working hard on their specialized research and interacting with younger undergraduate students. There are various types of international students, such as long-term students studying and researching at undergraduate and graduate schools to obtain degrees, studying Japanese language and Japanese affairs, and short-term students studying abroad. They are also to share firsthand information about their home countries with Japanese students. Through the university-wide support system for international students and the activities of the international student volunteers in our faculty, a circle of exchange among students is growing.

Study Abroad Program at Okayama University

There are two ways to study at Okayama University: as a regular student from abroad or by participating in one of the various study abroad programs. For details, please refer to the following links.

Study at Okayama University

Report by JAHEDI Amin / Ankara University
(Studied at Okayama University, Faculty of Letters for one year from October 2024)

I am originally from Iran, but I graduated from Ankara University in Turkey. I began my studies at Okayama University in October 2024. Initially enrolled as a research student in the pre-master’s program, my goal was to strengthen my Japanese language skills and prepare for the graduate school entrance exam to pursue a Master’s degree in linguistics. I am currently a graduate student majoring in linguistics at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University.

I chose Okayama University for several reasons. First and foremost, there is a researcher of Turkic languages in the Faculty of Letters who has conducted extensive research on my native language, Azerbaijani. Secondly, the campus is highly accessible and provides excellent opportunities to build the skills necessary for graduate school. Finally, the weather and environment are ideal for focusing on my studies. I live near the campus, and most of the places I need to go are less than a 10-minute bike ride away.

I studied in the pre-master’s program (which is currently no longer recruiting) for a year, and the professors were incredibly supportive throughout my exam preparation. We practiced essential academic skills, such as how to effectively listen to lectures and take notes, write research proposals, and prepare for graduate school interviews. It was one of the most fruitful years of my education. During that time, I also attended undergraduate lectures in the Faculty of Letters to familiarize myself with Japanese academia. Additionally, I participated in my advisor’s Turkish classes as a language informant, which allowed me to interact closely with Japanese undergraduate students. I also spent time teaching and practicing Persian and Turkish with both Japanese and international students at the L-cafe on campus.

Ultimately, with the support of my professors, I successfully passed the graduate school entrance exam and achieved my JLPT N1 certification at the same time. Even though I have completed the pre-master’s program, I am still in touch with my professors there, and we often catch up!

By the time I finished my first semester in graduate school, with the guidance of my advisor, I had found a research area that I am deeply passionate about. I even had the opportunity to present my research at a seminar in Niigata during my first year as a Master’s student!

Furthermore, at my advisor’s recommendation, I created videos to introduce Iran and Okayama University with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) “Project for Creating Social Impacts through Internationalization of Universities”. Through this experience, I discovered a real passion for video creation and have since decided to produce a wider variety of content! You can watch my videos introducing my background and Okayama University to Iranian people from the links below:

Introducing my home country, Iran:
https://youtu.be/sht4b_iPfLE?si=FvbbeRV40kAdW-Zw

Introducing my hometown, Urmia (Azerbaijan region):
https://youtu.be/4pogQtF6TXI?si=PBytzWF9M3VfP38u

Introducing Okayama University to Iranian people:
https://youtu.be/dzcy61uy1aQ?si=Hs-D1P8x0bwP76TQ