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 Study Abroad
CET Japan: At-A-Glance
Fall
- Arrival: 08/26/2025
- Departure: 12/15/2025
- Recommended Credits: 12-18
- Fee: $22,990
- Application Deadline: May 1
SPRING
- Arrival: 01/20/2026
- Departure: 05/18/2026
- Recommended Credits: 12-18
- Fee: $22,990
- Application Deadline: October 1
Fall
- Arrival: 08/26/2025
- Departure: 12/15/2025
- Recommended Credits: 12-18
- Fee: $22,990
- Application Deadline: May 1
SPring
- Arrival: 01/20/2026
- Departure: 05/18/2026
- Recommended Credits: 12-18
- Fee: $22,990
- Application Deadline: October 1
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
- Pre-requisites: None
- 6- or 12-credit options for Japanese language
- Studio arts electives taught exclusively for CET students
- Direct-enroll electives in Japanese or English
- Full or limited language pledge options
- Field-based activities to bring learning beyond the classroom
- Host University: Osaka Gakuin University
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
Choose between 6 or 12 credits of Japanese language:
6 credits of Japanese
- OS/LANG 105 Beginning Japanese 1
- OS/LANG 155 Beginning Japanese 2
- OS/LANG 205 Intermediate Japanese 1
- OS/LANG 255 Intermediate Japanese 2
- OS/LANG 375 Advanced Japanese Projects
12 credits of japanese
Electives
You choose CET electives and/or OGU electives to meet the 12 to 18 recommended credits.
CET Electives
These 4-credit studio arts 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 (Japanese language electives or 3 credits (area studies electives) 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
Osaka Dialect
CET converts final grades from OGU to US letter grade equivalents.
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
- Apartment
- Off-campus housing
- Live with CET peers & local roommates
- 2-10 people/house
- 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 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.
Life in Osaka
- Known locally as: 大阪 Ōsaka
- Population: 2.691 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
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!
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.
Program Fees
Fall/Spring
$22,990
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 through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
Activities & Excursions
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
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, $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:
- Round-trip Airfare: $2,800
- Meals: $1,800
- Personal Expenses: $1,200
- Cell Phone Plan: $15 - $20/month
- OGU Area Studies Trips: $20
additional resources
How to Apply
Eligibility
• 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
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
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.
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.
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.