If you go to college/university in the United States and are interested in this program, check it out on the IES Abroad website—designed for students like you looking to study or intern abroad outside of the United States.
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture through full-time enrollment at the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) at Nanzan University. A distinguished private university, Nanzan University offers excellent learning opportunities to expand your Japanese language skills and cultural knowledge. In addition to required intensive Japanese language classes (worth 8 credits), you will choose from a range of CJS English-taught course offerings in Literature, Business, and History.
Nagoya’s IES Abroad Center is on Nanzan University’s beautiful, wooded campus, with stunning views across Nagoya city. Here, you get outstanding Japanese tuition and language support in a modern environment with access to a vast library and The Japan Plaza, the Japanese language practice center. The center’s student clubs encourage you to experience Japanese art such as calligraphy and tea ceremonies and immerse yourself in both modern and traditional Japanese culture.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with Nanzan University.
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
Nanzan University began in 1946 as the College of Foreign Languages. Since then, it has grown into a full-fledged university with seven faculties and a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. The University has the advantage of a low student-teacher ratio, and undergraduate enrollment is presently limited to around 9,000 students.
The University’s Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) was established in 1974 to provide intensive instruction and training in the Japanese language. Today, CJS is well-known for providing an integrated and intensive learning experience in Japanese language and culture for English-speaking international students. Because communication is the key to understanding any culture, Japanese courses at Nanzan stress all language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Intensive courses in elementary, intermediate, and advanced Japanese are offered.
One place to continue your language practice is in the student-focused “Japan Plaza,” where students gather to meet local Japanese students and must speak only in Japanese. CJS also provides many extracurricular activities.
Course offerings vary from semester to semester. Exact course offerings are determined by Nanzan University shortly before the start of each semester. For this reason, you register for courses upon arrival.
You must take 15–18 credits per semester. Complete and up-to-date course descriptions are available by visiting Nanzan University’s Center for Japanese Studies website.
Japanese language course (required, 8 credits)
The remaining 7-10 credits may be taken from a combination of the following optional course options:
You may enroll in the following course options:
Japanese Language Courses (8 credits, required)
All courses taught in fall and spring:
Japanese Studies Courses (English-taught Area Studies Courses) (3 credits)
These courses are offered to all CJS students. Previous courses have included:
Japanese Arts Courses (Japanese-taught cultural arts courses) (2 credits)
These courses enroll both Japanese and international students. Previous courses have included:
Japanese Seminar Courses (Japanese-taught seminar courses) (2 credits)
These courses are available to students based on their Japanese language class level placement. Previous courses have included:
Additional Course Disciplines
During the fall semester, certain additional courses at Nanzan University are open to IES Abroad students. These 2-credit courses are part of the regular undergraduate program at the university and are available in several fields. In recent years, courses have included:
Nanzan University reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond its control.
*Independent Research Opportunity
Language Test Score Requirements
To prove your language proficiency, you can use any of the following:
When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.
The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.
A limited number of placements with host families are available throughout Nagoya. Housing details vary by family, but you will have a single room, and eat breakfast and dinner each day with your host family. You can purchase lunch at student cafeterias on campus or in restaurants in the area.
Consistent with the daily lives of most Japanese people, a commute from home to school is normal. Living with a host family may make your commute longer than students who live in dormitories, but the cultural opportunities are more than worth it. Those with particularly high commuting costs receive a monthly stipend to help defray transportation expenses.
Surrounded by mountains, hot springs and national parks, Nagoya is Japan’s fourth largest city. It has speedy connections with Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, all in under two hours. Studying at Nagoya’s IES Abroad Center at Nanzan University campus puts you in the heart of a city renowned for its food scene and cultural attractions. When you’re not honing your language skills with your newfound friends, visit nearby Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Jingu, and the Toyota Museum.
Even though your adventure starts in Nagoya, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
See Japan’s first capital city, which is the site of many famous Buddhist temples, including Kofuku-ji Temple.
Full of wide boulevards and crisscrossing rivers, Hiroshima is located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with excellent cuisine, parks, and museums. See the Hiroshima Peace Park and enjoy the beauty of the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit nearby Miyajima, historically considered a holy site, to tour the island’s Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
Kyoto was Japan’s capital city from the late 8th century to the late 19th century. One of the oldest cities in Japan, Kyoto is home to many famous temples, shrines, lively markets, and closely packed neighborhoods. Visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple and Kinkaku-ji, design cloth towels with colorful dyes, be entertained by maiko and geiko, and take a rickshaw ride through Arashiyama.
Kanazawa is a traditional city on the coast of the Sea of Japan. You will visit the gardens of Kenrokuen, and the old tea houses of Higashi-Chayagai. Experience making sweets and crafts with gold leaf, and stay at a ryokan.
Shirakawago is a historical village located near Takayama in Gifu prefecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its houses built in the gasshō-zukuri architectural style. Explore the village, visit the Toyota Shirakawago-Eco-Institute, and go on a night hike through the woods. The next day, go to Takayama, a beautifully preserved historic city in the mountains.
Explore the hidden passages and escape routes of the Iga Ninja house. Additionally, you’ll learn the techniques of making special local clay pottery known as Iga-yaki.
The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.
Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.
Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
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