CET Japan Study Abroad

CET Japan: At-A-Glance

6 or 12 credits of Japanese language
Small program, lots of support
Direct-enroll electives in Japanese or English
Studio arts electives taught exclusively for CET students
Full and limited language pledge options
Live with a Japanese student
Out-of-class learning and assignments
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Fall

SPRING

Fall

SPring

With a curriculum that delivers meaningful opportunities to engage with the local language, culture, and people, CET Japan study abroad students are ready to build a deep understanding of Japan. Choose how much Japanese you want, then add electives that fit your interests—try studio arts or direct-enroll at our local host university. And when you add housing with a local Japanese student, a language pledge, and out-of-class activities to cement your learning… you’ve got a well-rounded semester in Osaka, Japan.

Academics in Japan

Semester
Snapshot

Curriculum & Syllabi

You take 6 or 12 credits of Japanese language, then choose CET or OGU electives to meet 12 to 18 recommended credits.

Japanese Language

You choose either one CET elective or one to three OGU electives to meet the 14 to 18 recommended credits.  

CET Electives

This 4-credit electives are taught exclusively for CET students in Japanese with English interpretation. 

Direct-enroll electives at ogu

Select 1 to 3 direct-enroll electives at Osaka Gakuin University for a minimum of 14 total credits (including language). Electives come in many shapes and sizes, and are taught in Japanese or English. Options differ each term and are either 1.5 or 3 credits each. Some past courses have included: 

  • Japan’s Environmental Issues
  • Japanese Technology Companies
  • Japanese Business Culture & Practices
  • Japanese Culture & Society
  • The Power of Japanese Pop Culture

CET converts final grades from OGU to US letter grade equivalents.

students in classroom holding fans

Choose your own adventure in Japan

Decide how much Japanese you want.  Interested in an intensive language experience? Pick 12 credits of Japanese and take on an entire textbook in just one semester. Want a more balanced term between language and electives? Choose the 6-credit option. Either way, enjoy small class sizes, a language pledge, and plenty of out-of-class learning.

Japanese in the real world. A front-loaded Japanese in Daily Life class segment teaches you the language you need to thrive in your new day-to-day. And your Language Project has you interviewing locals on a topic of your choice—dig into restaurant culture, LGBTQ+ awareness, or even Japanese music trends. 

Explore further with an elective. Fine tune your semester with a CET elective or a direct-enroll elective at OGU. Explore pop culture in Japan, dive into local environmental issues, or take a more artistic path—build your illustration skills with Character Design or learn to create digital works using Clip Studio Paint for Manga Creation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Housing and Meals

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Living Like a Local

Local Roommates. Want to get into local baseball culture and see a game? Looking for the best café to study at near campus? Sharing a home with a local student from Osaka Gakuin University gives you a baked-in community and instant insider’s access to the city and Japanese culture. And if one of your main goals is language progress, you can opt for language pledge housing to bring language into your home life, too.   Learn more about living with a local roommate. 

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. 

students and roommates having dinner

Life in Osaka

night market with neon lights

Take the train downtown and enjoy the neon lights of the city at night. Picnic at the beautiful Banpaku Park or blow off steam at Universal Studios Japan. Strike up a conversation with the owner of your favorite ramen shop. Gather some friends for a food crawl in a city famous for great eats. Hike to breathtaking Minoh Waterfall. And on weekends, enjoy the perks of living in a big, connected city—take the train and explore the neighboring cities of Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe… and then even more of Japan. 

Experience Osaka with CET

Around the City. The program offers different activities that allow you to explore Osaka, use your Japanese, or just unwind. You might attend a tea ceremony workshop, go on a scavenger hunt across the city, or embrace free-form design at a Saori weaving workshop. And there’s even more to see on your own.

Beyond Osaka. Join your local roommates and fellow CET students on an excursion off the beaten path. You might visit the sand dunes of Tottori or head to Tokushima and see the Naruto whirlpools after trying your hand at aizome, the local indigo dyeing tradition. 

Building a Community. Each term is designed to help you build a community. In the fall, embrace the campus community. Sell pancakes or run the ring toss at the campus festival. In the spring, explore off campus life and get to know the local community. Want to experience both? Stay in Osaka for a full academic year!

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Student Resources

"I myself love food in all ways—I love to see it, smell it, eat it, and buy it. So when I was told that one of Osaka’s nicknames is the kitchen of Japan, I knew I made the right decision to come to this place. I tried a curry bun for the first time while I have been here and it’s safe to say I’m in love!"

— Samara Mroczkowski,
Washington State University | Fall student

READ SAMARA'S BLOG
"I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into when I applied for CET Japan, but it truly changed my life. The location of CET Japan is unbeatable. Being in Osaka, especially as a student at the beautiful Osaka Gakuin University, is as good as it gets while abroad. Being in the Kansai region was a great balance of city life, accessibility for traveling, and escaping to nature. After a few mere weeks in Osaka, I could picture myself living there long-term."

— Qi Schmidt,
Bates College | Fall student
"I went with some OGU students to the mountains of Kansai… it was about a 40-minute drive; luckily, Yuuta was nice enough to drive us. The other two who went were Ai and Seth, and I had a ton of fun with them and used a lot of Japanese. The mountain is named Hoshino Blanco; the autumn foliage was so pretty! Osaka is a bit devoid of parks, so it was a much-needed break in nature (even if the hike up was a little intense) and fresh air!"

— Elizabeth Grieve,
Lewis & Clark College | Fall student

READ ELIZABETH'S BLOG
"I love the extra-curricular activities and excursions. They break up the monotony of the classroom and I get to see more of Japan, its people and the local atmosphere while practicing my listening and speaking skills."

— Camille Nagasawa,
University of Washington | Fall student
"One of the most beneficial things about CET Japan is the language pledge—it forces you to speak Japanese inside and outside of the classroom. This can seem quite intimidating but it was so helpful for my Japanese. In addition, it strengthens camaraderie with other students who also took the pledge."

— Jeffrey Hart,
Brandeis University | Fall student
"Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, Mie, oh my! It feels like there’s an infinite list of places to visit while living in Japan, and recently I’ve been caught up taking full advantage of every opportunity CET has to offer. As a CET student, we have day trips and overnight trips arranged for us, as well as university-related events and the liberty to explore and travel on our own."

— Isabelle Shiiba,
Brandeis University | Spring student

READ ISABELLE'S BLOG
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On-the-ground support

Navigating a new city, country, and culture is a big challenge worth taking—and we’re here to help you along 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.

japan staff at dinner

Program Fees

Fall/Spring

$22,990

What's Included

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

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

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

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

The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!

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. 

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

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

group outside of osaka castle

Program Fee Breakdown. Of the total program fee, $17,990 goes to tuition and fees, and $5,000 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 4-10 USD per meal, and 150-230 USD/month for groceries. 

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses: 

How to Apply

•  Pre-requisites: None. Open to students of any Japanese level, including absolute beginners
•  Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation.
•  Open to students enrolled in a US university or recently graduated from a high school.
•  GPA: 3.0 or higher is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application

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.

Though you will be evaluated on site, the language evaluation form in your CET Compass account helps staff get a better idea of your abilities before your arrival.

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.

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.

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.

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

Application
Deadlines

Fall Semester:

May 1

Spring Semester:

October 1

woman smiling at camera

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.

Course Availability

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

Pick Your Pledge

Before the term begins, you decide on what type of language pledge commitment you want for your term in Japan. This choice directly influences your housing and daily life, so it’s important to think carefully about your decision. 

FULL LANGUAGE PLEDGE

Commit to speaking Japanese all the time—in your classes, out in the city, interacting with CET peers, and even your daily life at home. Under a full pledge, you’re housed with other CET students and local roommates who have committed to speaking only Japanese. 

LIMITED LANGUAGE PLEDGE

Commit to speaking Japanese while in classes, at the CET Center, when visiting a full language pledge house or speaking with a full language pledge student, and at certain program activities. In your free time, you’re required to speak an additional three hours of Japanese daily with local peers (many of whom don’t speak English!), other CET students, or local community members.

CET Jordan: Academic Consultation Board

Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of locally-based faculty that we’re proud to call our peers. These faculty make up our Academic Consultation Board—a select group of local voices and thought leaders that help advise and shape components of the CET Jordan program. 

Board members support the program in many ways, including but not limited to:

Academic Consultation Board Members

Learn more about studying abroad with CET

Learn more about studying abroad with CET