Kansai University provides support to students who wish to fly abroad to study with "youthful motivation." A wide range of study abroad programs and support programs for studying abroad are arranged to match the needs of students, including programs organized by the Division of International Affairs for all Kansai University students and those organized by each Faculty/Graduate School, and the Career Center.

↓For more information about the following programs, see below↓

Programs organized by Division of International Affairs

Experiencing a culture

• Culture Immersion Program

Programs organized by Faculties/Graduate Schools

• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Business and Commerce
• Faculty of Policy Studies
• Faculty of Health and Well-being
• Faculty of Engineering Science
• Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering
• Faculty of Engineering Science, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering
• Faculty of Foreign Language Studies
• Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of East Asian Culture
• Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of Foreign Language Education and Research, Graduate School of East Asian Culture
• Faculty of Science and Engineering
• School of Law

Studying specialized subjects (six months to a year)

Student exchange program

This program allows students to study at an overseas university that has entered into a partnership agreement with Kansai University (hereinafter referred to as "Partner University") for one or two semesters.
The period of studying abroad counts as a period of studying at Kansai University and the credits earned can be transferred to Kansai University.
While you have to pay tuition fees to Kansai University, you will be exempt from the tuition fees of the Partner University.
Moreover, you will be awarded a scholarship from the Kansai University international exchange aid fund.

Approved study-abroad program (specialty course)

This program allows students to study abroad upon obtaining approval of their faculty or graduate school. In the specialty course, you are able to take special subjects relating to your specialty in overseas undergraduate or graduate courses.

Studying a foreign language (one week to six months)

Approved study-abroad program (midterm foreign language training course)

This program allows students to study abroad upon obtaining approval of their faculty or graduate school. In the midterm foreign language training course, you mainly receive foreign language training at a language school attached to a regular university. Students who wish to study a foreign language from the basics or who wish to improve their language skills for job hunting often apply for this program.

Language seminar program

Kansai University offers short-term, study-abroad programs in which students can study English or another language for about three to four weeks during summer or spring vacation from among various countries overseas.
This language seminar program enables you not only to study a language at an overseas university but also to feel and experience the culture, history, mindsets and customs of your destination country through after-school activities, excursions and local life. This program provides you with valuable opportunities not merely to develop your language skills but also to develop international common sense.

Studying with international students (8 days to one month)

COIL Plus (Blended Mobility) Program
This study abroad program incorporates "COIL," (Collaborative Online International Learning) a learning method in which students in various countries collaborate online and work on projects in a variety of fields.

Learning about Environmental Protection in Hawaii (Hawaii)

This experiential program takes place in two locations* in Hawaii, Oahu (Waikiki, Honolulu) and Hawaii Island (Hilo), and allows the students to collaborate with students at two universities, the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) and University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo). The aim is to foster understanding about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been attracting attention in recent years, and help them think about what they can do now for them.
Prior to the training, the students interact and engage in collaborative learning with the local students online. In Hawaii, various activities are carried out in a short period of time, such as class tours, fieldwork in the suburbs of Waikiki and Hilo, nature experience tours, and company visits.
*Sometimes it is held only in Honolulu.

Japanese TA Experience Overseas (New York (United States))

At Cornell University and the Fashion Institute of Technology located in New York, United States, the students work as assistants in Japanese language education courses (not the main teachers) and engage in activities to introduce Japanese culture. It allows the students to raise awareness of Japanese as a foreign language, and develop the ability to communicate in an easy-to-understand manner as part of the intercultural communication skills training. Since there are many opportunities to interact with the local students and teachers, this program looks for students who can communicate actively.

Global Leadership Development Program (North Carolina, United States)

In North Carolina, where many Japanese companies are establishing a presence, a great opportunity awaits for you to take your first step as a next-generation leader. In the Global Leadership Development Program, the students learn about sustainable global business.
They can actively engage in workshops, discussions and presentations on leadership and intercultural communication. Feel the charm of North Carolina through visits to local companies and cultural exchange events

Entrepreneurship in Singapore (Singapore)

This entrepreneurship-themed program takes place in partnership with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and local companies there.
Through internships at local companies, visits to local NGOs and government agencies, and interactions with intellectuals in each industry, the students can experience the Singapore market, the cutting edge of Asia.
They also work on team projects through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), and give presentations on their business plans at the end. In this way, this program incorporates project-based learning activities that provide a lot of learning in a short period of time. In addition, during their stay, they can connect with local students of the same generation and experience the daily lives of local students and multiethnic culture and society.

Business in Thailand (Thailand)

Many Japanese companies are expanding into ASEAN countries, and this program allows the students to experience business settings in the Kingdom of Thailand. Approximately 10 days of on-site training are provided, including an internship at CP ALL, a group company of Charoen Pokphand, which is a conglomerate in Thailand. Although it is a short period of time, it is a valuable program that includes work experience at the office of CP ALL in Bangkok.

Sustainable City Development and Community (Portland, United States)

This is a program to learn about sustainable urban development and community initiatives at Portland State University in the United States. It allows the students to learn about various issues in detail through lectures, field surveys and interviews. They can also experience volunteer activities at local food banks and the Student Sustainability Center, and consider solutions to local issues. They give presentations on the last day. It is a valuable opportunity to deepen cross-cultural understanding and gain a broader perspective.

Blended Mobility in Spain (Spain)

Architecture, design, and social design —
Considering the coexistence of past and present
In Tarragona, a coastal city about an hour from Barcelona, the students collaborate with not only Spanish students but also American students (Florida International University in 2023), and engage in fieldwork focused on the urban architecture and design of Valencia from the Roman period to the present, and the lifestyle and culture of the people living in the city. This program is based on highly interactive activities and learning that also include group work where the students bring considerations of cities around the world, such as Kyoto and Miami. English is the common language of the program, but it also includes lectures on the locally used Spanish language and Spanish culture.

Innovative Solutions : SDGs and Sustainability in Malaysia (Malaysia)

This program allows the students to learn about sustainable society and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the National University of Malaysia. The students participate in interactive sessions focused on leadership and multiculturalism, and experience cooperation with different cultures. They also visit local companies and SDG Center Kuala Lumpur to learn about initiatives in Malaysia. Through the program, the students can develop leadership and presentation skills, and gain a deeper understanding of challenges in global sustainability and the roles of universities.

Participating in volunteer activities (one to four weeks)

International Service Learning Programs

International Education Volunteer Program Practical Training A

The students can develop a foundation for becoming international cooperation experts by passing selection criteria for international cooperation volunteer activities (e.g., JICA’s overseas cooperation volunteers or activities of the United Nations or an NGO) or international internships (e.g., internship at a foreign ministry) sponsored by external organizations, and participating in the activities.

International Education Volunteer Program Practical Training B

This program focuses on enabling students to develop the skills and competency required of "Kansai University students with initiative" through original projects while being accompanied by faculty staff members of the University. * Note: This program is not offered in academic year 2016.

International Education Volunteer Program Practical Training C

[Overseas] This program allows students to develop the cross-cultural understanding and skills required for adapting to international settings through various activities while living with children at the House of Joy, an orphanage on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

[In Japan] In this program, students participate in volunteer activities at Children and Child Rearing Plaza in Chuo Ward for two hours from 6 p.m. every Tuesday for the purposes of providing study support and creating a space for children with foreign culture backgrounds. Enforced learning and Japanese language learning are provided by volunteers on a one-to-one basis. In addition to conventional education classes, there are activities for children to receive social training and play a role in society.

Experiencing a culture(1 to 4 weeks)

Culture Immersion Program

This program lets you experience life overseas for around 1 to 3 weeks during the summer or spring vacation. The destinations are safe, and the contents of the program are familiar and include a number of fulfilling activities. Thus this program is easy to take part in even for students who will be going overseas for the first time. This experience program aims to introduce you to something new and help you to determine your next goal.

Faculty of Economics

Global leadership development (GoLD) Program

This program allows students to develop their communication skills in a foreign language, learn and experience the local economy and culture of their destination country, and gain specialized expertise in international economics, in order to play an active role in the world in this global age.

Faculty of Business and Commerce

Overseas Business English Program (BestA) four-week course

This program is offered at the University of York (established in 1963) based in York, an ancient city with a tranquil atmosphere located in the north of England. The University of York is a relatively new university, but its high level of excellence in education and research has earned a reputation within and outside of the country. Both four-week and one-semester courses have been designed originally by the Faculty of Business and Commerce to teach practical business English through the following activities: (a) visiting a local business to conduct interviews, (b) making a presentation on the results of the interviews and research, and (c) planning a trip in England and promoting the plan.

Overseas Business English Program (BestA) one-semester course

This program is offered at the University of York (established in 1963) based in York, an ancient city with a tranquil atmosphere located in the north of England. The University of York is a relatively new university, but its high level of excellence in education and research has earned a reputation within and outside of the country. Both four-week and one-semester courses have been designed originally by the Faculty of Business and Commerce to teach practical business English through the following activities: (a) visiting a local business to conduct interviews, (b) making a presentation on the results of the interviews and research, and (c) planning a trip in England and promoting the plan.

Business Leadership Special Program (BLSP) "Overseas Workshop"

This program is offered in collaboration with the James Cook University Singapore so that students can develop the practical skills required for proceeding with a project and their proficiency in English. Students are required to spend five nights and seven days visiting local companies, experience task-oriented learning, and make a presentation on their research results in a workshop in English. They have the opportunity to visit a local multinational company and make a presentation on their research results in English.

Faculty of Policy Studies

Overseas English Training Program

This program is an international education program aimed at training students to be active in global society from a global perspective with language proficiency.

Faculty of Health and Well-being

International Health and Public Welfare Practical Training Program

This program is designed to allow students to engage in practical learning by visiting a welfare facility in Hawaii, participating in a recreation program (indoor and outdoor) and learning community welfare through gardening, as well as prior classroom discussion, aiming at developing their understanding of multicultural communities and international well-being.

Faculty of Engineering Science

Global human resource development program: Overseas Experience Training Program – Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

This program is provided in collaboration with Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan. Unique to the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the program aims to foster sociality, internationality, and independence through diverse activities in foreign countries. Its main feature is the provision of opportunities abroad to experience multiple activities on site.

Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering

Global human resource development program: Short-Term Study Abroad Program and Medium-Term Study Abroad Program – Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering

[Short-Term Study Abroad Program]
For about one month during summer vacation, you are hosted by a laboratory at our international partner university (in Thailand) (international laboratory internship), where you take part in various activities including basic experiments in the lab, seminars, and interactions with local students.
[Medium-Term Study Abroad Program]
For about three months, you are hosted by a laboratory at our international partner university (in the U.S. or Thailand) (international laboratory internship), where you take part in various activities including basic experiments in the lab, seminars, and interactions with local students.

Global human resource development program: Overseas Experience Training Program – Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering

This overseas experience training program held for 10 days during the summer vacation is provided in cooperation with Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

Faculty of Engineering Science, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering

Global Human Resources and Company Visit Program in Silicon Valley

This training program is focused on education and is held in Silicon Valley in San Francisco. With an intention of developing true "global professionals," this program provides opportunities to visit companies located in Silicon Valley, the center of the IT industry, interact with local university students, and learn about how the world is changing to help you determine which path you should choose in a globalizing world.

Faculty of Foreign Language Studies

Study Abroad Program

This program is compulsory for all students of the Faculty of Foreign Language Studies. This program is designed such that students can develop not only linguistic and specialized knowledge but also skills to "survive" by experiencing the local culture and history of their destination country through dormitory life or a home-stay.

Double Degree Program

This program allows students who participate in the Study Abroad Program (SA Program) offered by the Faculty of Foreign Language Studies and who meet certain requirements to earn two degrees in four years from Kansai University and Beijing Foreign Studies University by extending the period of study abroad by six months to obtain the required credits.

Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of East Asian Culture

EU Workshop Program

This is a support program for research cooperation mainly for graduate students enrolled in the Graduate School of Letters. This program is provided as part of the sub-major subject "EU-Japanology." The graduate students, in cooperation with those of our partner universities, hold workshops and events.

Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of Foreign Language Education and Research, Graduate School of East Asian Culture

Dual Degree Program

Through this program, you will be awarded a master's degree from both Kansai University and Yeungnam University at the same time. To do so, you need to study at Yeungnam University for one year after entering the master's degree program at the Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of Foreign Language Education and Research, or Graduate School of East Asian Culture (the first semester) at Kansai University. Then you have to satisfy the requirements for completion of the programs of both universities (passing tests designated by each graduate school, including thesis examination for the master's degree).

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Double Degree Program

Through this program, you will be awarded a master's degree from both Kansai University and the University of Giessen at the same time. To do so, you need to study at the University of Giessen (master's program in Material Science) for one year (the fall semester in the first year and the spring semester in the second year) after entering the master's degree program (the first semester) at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Kansai University. In addition, you need to satisfy the requirements for completion of the programs of both universities.

School of Law

Overseas Externship

As part of the regular subject Overseas Externship, several students are dispatched every year to take part in a practical externship program held under the Technical Assistance Project for Legal and Judicial System Reform. The program is held at the office of the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Technical Assistance Project for Legal and Judicial System Reform in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Consultation for studying abroad

Studying Abroad Counselor

Professional studying abroad counselors provide students who are interested in studying abroad or participating in an internship or volunteer program abroad with information and know-how on studying abroad, and provide support for and advice on their plans and future career on a case-by-case basis.

Study Abroad Peer Advisor (SAPA)

Students who studied abroad provide information based on their own experiences. They can share information that only a person with actual experience can provide. If you want to speak to a study abroad peer advisor, visit the Division of International Affairs office between the second and fourth periods (including lunch time) on a weekday during the school period.

Applying for a subsidy for English proficiency examination fees

Students who take TOEFL iBT and IELTS for the purpose of applying for the Student Exchange Program can receive a subsidy for examination fees (10,000 yen per exam). The purpose of this subsidy is to encourage students to obtain scores required to apply for these programs and provide economic assistance for expensive examination fees. The University expects many inspired students to apply for the Student Exchange Program by using this system.