CET Japan: Summer Study Abroad

CET Japan: Summer At-A-Glance

20 hours/week of intensive Japanese language

Small class sizes, lots of support

Full-time language pledge

Live with a Japanese student

Out-of-class learning and assignments

Summer

CET Japan summer study abroad students are motivated learners interested in a term packed with language progress. With our intensive curriculum, your commitment to a full-time language pledge, and your housing with a local Japanese student, language isn’t just in the classroom in Osaka—it’s in everything you do.

Academics in Japan

Summer
Snapshot

Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of Japanese
20 hours/week of Japanese learning
Complete an entire textbook of Japanese in a summer
Full-time language pledge
Host University: Osaka Gakuin University

Curriculum & Syllabi

You take one comprehensive Japanese language course for a total of 9 credits.

Japanese Language

You are placed into one of these 9-credit courses:

Your Japanese will grow by leaps and bounds

1 Textbook = 1 Summer. You will fly through your textbook (and the textbooks we use are the same ones favored at US universities, so it’s easy to keep track of where you are). That pace, along with a small class size, a full-time language pledge, and plenty of out-of-class language practica, puts your Japanese skills on the fast track.

I pledge to…speak Japanese 24/7. As intimidating as a full-time language pledge might sound, you won’t be without support. Throughout the summer, a Japanese in Daily Life class segment teaches you the language you need to thrive in your new day-to-day.

Japanese in practice. Your summer in Osaka culminates in a final Language Project. Interview locals on a topic related to your home country—dig into restaurant culture, political issues, LGBTQ+ awareness, or even music trends. Present your findings (in Japanese, of course!) to locals in the community at the end-of-term open house.

Housing and Meals

Apartment or sharehouse
Off-Campus Housing
Live with CET peers & local roommates
2-10 people/apartment or sharehouse
1 person/room
Simple communal kitchen or kitchenette, washing machine access, shared bathroom
10-40 minute commute to campus
Internet access, A/C and heat, bed linens, basic furnishing, kitchenware

Living Like a Local

Local Roommates. Want to find the kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant with the best bang for your buck? The quietest study lounge on campus? Sharing a home with a local student from Osaka Gakuin University gives you insider access to the city, language, and culture…to say nothing of the instant support network. Learn more about living with a local student.

Eating in Osaka. For meals, take full advantage of living in the “The Nation’s Kitchen” by diving into the local food scene and enjoying the city’s many cheap eateries. For busier days, try out the campus cafeteria or your neighborhood konbini (convenience store). Feeling a home-cooked meal? Try your hand at a local dish with common Japanese ingredients, or cook something from back home for you and your roommates. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Japan.

Life in Osaka

Known locally as: 大阪 Ōsaka
Population: 2.809 million
Local Currency: Japanese Yen
Famous for: entertainment capital of Japan, amazing food scene, outgoing and friendly locals, less English prominence, major transport hub, strong culture of small family businesses

The city center is just a 15-minute train ride away. Go to as many summer festivals as you can fit in your schedule. Shop for unique souvenirs and stock up on Japanese stationary. Strike up a conversation with the owner of your favorite ramen shop. Find out what makes okonomiyaki an Osakan specialty. Visit Universal Studios Japan, where iconic Hollywood franchises meet popular Japanese anime and video games. Craving nature? Hike to breathtaking Minoh Waterfall and soak your feet downstream.

Experience Japan with CET

In and around Osaka. Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that let you see the city, learn about Japanese culture, practice your language skills, or just unwind with your friends. You might explore local temples, go for day trip outside Osaka, or even attend Japanese Game Day to play popular board and video games with classmates and local roommates. And there’s more of Osaka to explore on your own—sing your heart out at karaoke, try out a public bath, or explore a game center in the Dotonbori area.

Every program tells a story

See Japan through the eyes of students and staff.

Student Resources

"The narrow roads, tiled rooftops, and overhead power lines show a slower, everyday side of Japan beyond the busy city centers. When I looked back to take the photo, I took in the feeling that this would be part of our daily routines, connecting the classroom learning while living a life in a local Osaka neighborhood."

— Lin Han Lu,
Brandeis University | Summer student

READ LIN HAN'S BLOG

"The real-life experience of studying in Japan allowed me to quickly adapt to grammar and essential words, which is also hardly possible just in university courses. Also, studying here gives you many opportunities to travel around Japan and make relationships, which makes me want to come here again, maybe with bigger plans, like work or my career study. I really hope it is not my last time being here!"

— Anton Melnychuk,
Yale University | Summer student

"Teachers are kind and want you to succeed, and the program director is excited to work with you to make your study abroad experience the best it can be. Filling in the gaps are those I believe to be the unsung heroes and backbone of the CET Japan experience, our OGU roommates."

— Ilana Goldman,
William and Mary | Summer student

READ ILANA'S BLOG

"I came into this program not having taken a single Japanese course at my home university. I really expected it to be incredibly difficult and to feel behind. However, through just living in Japan, I was able to use my Japanese every day and try to read the kanji I saw, which I believe significantly improved my learning experience."

—Tanush Korde,
University of Washington - Seattle | Summer student

"Hanabi, otherwise known as fireworks, are a hugely popular spectacle in Japan—especially at the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival. On the banks of the Yodogawa River between Juso and Minamikata, I ventured with a group of CET and OGU students, as well as thousands of locals, to watch one of the best fireworks displays I’d ever seen."

— Nicholas Yee,
Yale University | Summer student

READ NICHOLAS'S BLOG

"There are four hours of class everyday, but you will learn the most from those real conversations after classes end. This can be done with your housemates, other classmates, and random people you come across in Japan! I believe that the language pledge is the best thing this program has to offer, but don’t beat yourself up if you can’t always meet those expectations."

— Kaella Glenn,
University of Oklahoma | Summer student

Explore more resources:

On-the-ground support

Navigating a new city, country, and culture is a big challenge worth taking—and we’re here to help you on this adventure. Our on-site team is bilingual, provides round-the-clock support, and is passionate about sharing their love of Osaka (and Japan!) with you.

Program Fees

Summer

$9,990

What's Included

Tuition

All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.

Housing

We arrange your housing in a fully-furnished apartment or sharehouse. Your program fees go toward rent, utilities, furnishing, and other management costs.

Staff Support

From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.

Insurance

You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan that even includes medical evacuation coverage.

Activities & Excursions

The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee.

Visa Support

We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You do the legwork, but we’ll make sure you have the documentation and information you need, when you need it.

Course Materials

Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.

Transcript

You’ll receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and OGU. If your home institution requires a School of Record transcript, CET is able to provide one through the University of Minnesota.

More on finances

Program Fee Breakdown. Of the total program fee, $7,000 goes to tuition and fees, and $2,990 goes to housing and other student life fees.

Local Cost of Living. Osaka’s cost of living is higher than most of Japan—though not as high as Tokyo. Relative to other countries in Asia, the cost of living in Japan is closer to that of a mid- to large-size US city. Spending always varies, but past students have reported spending 5–10 USD per meal, and 140–280 USD/month for groceries.

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:

additional resources

How to Apply

Eligibility

• Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of college-level Japanese
• Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation
• Open to students from any US college or university
• GPA: 3.0 or higher is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application

Online Application Form

Complete the application through your CET Compass account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.

Language Evaluation Form

The language evaluation form in your CET Compass account helps staff get a better idea of your abilities before your arrival.

Passport Information

Upload a scan of your passport to your CET Compass account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.

Language Level Recommendation

This is an online form that your current or most recent language instructor completes to help us get an idea of your language level. Use the link in your CET Compass account to send the recommendation request.

Study Abroad Office Recommendation

This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your CET Compass account.

Official Transcript

Your CET Compass account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.

Application
Deadline

Priority Deadline

February 1

Final Deadline

March 1

Have a question? Get in touch!

Tara Strauch

Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7325
[email protected]

Price Subject to Change:

CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation, or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.

Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability, student course rankings, and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us!

CET Japan: Summer At-A-Glance

Summer