Columbia Programs

Program Information

KCJS offers an intensive, two-semester academic program primarily for undergraduates who wish to do advanced work in Japanese language and Japanese studies.

Japanese class karaoke night
"Altogether, my year abroad in Japan has been amazing. Academically, I was able to learn about Japan through the different courses I had to take in the program relating to Japanese culture. But, more importantly were the things I learned outside the classrooms." The program is open to all qualified students who have completed two or more years of college-level Japanese language at the time of enrollment. A limited number of students may be admitted for single semester study in the fall or spring.

The KCJS curriculum provides intensive Japanese language study and the opportunity to choose from a broad spectrum of social sciences and humanities courses on premodern and contemporary Japan. The program takes advantage of the numerous social and cultural resources of Kyoto by incorporating into the curriculum field trips, guest speakers, and research projects based on local field work.

Students in Kimono -- Adam Goldstein, Academic Year 2007-2008

 

Students are encouraged to integrate into the local community by living with a Japanese family and through participation in a variety of extracurricular activities that provide a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.