Japanese

Program Calendar & Courses

Program Calendar

Day 1Check-in
Opening Ceremony and Orientation

All students are required to attend the Opening Ceremony and Orientation.
Day 2Placement Test
Orientation
Announcement of Test Results
Day 3Classes begin
Day 40 (Last day)Last day of classes
Closing Ceremony
All students are required to attend the Closing Ceremony, which is a part of the Summer Program. Students can check-out AFTER the Ceremony.

Bedding and Room Inspection
Students must be present for bedding and room inspection when moving out.

Check-out
Day after the program endsBedding and Room Inspection

Check-out
Students are allowed to stay in the dormitory after the program ends, but are required to check out by 5:00 pm on July 31.

All students are required to check out between 9:00am to 5:00pm ONLY. Students leaving before 9:00 am must check out during the check-out time THE DAY BEFORE, and arrange their accommodation on their own for that night.

Program Calendar is subject to change.

Courses

The Summer Program will offer the following three elementary courses. Participants are required to take a Japanese Placement Test upon arrival at AIU. Each student will be assigned to one of the classes according to the results of the test.

Course Syllabi

JPL105Elementary Japanese 105 
(Old Curriculum Course Code and Title: JPL 120 Elementary Japanese 120)
JPL125Elementary Japanese 125 
JPL215Elementary Japanese 215 
(Old Curriculum Course Code and Title: JPL 220 Elementary Japanese 220)

Daily Schedule

WeekdaysWeekends & Holidays
9:00 am – 9:50 amJapanese Language ClassNo classes
(field trips, events, free time, etc.**)
10:00 am – 10:50 amJapanese Language Class
11:00 am – 11:50 amJapanese Language Class
12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLunch in the Cafeteria
1:00 pm – 1:50 pmConversation Practice*
2:00 pm –Japanese Culture Workshops* etc.

*Conversation Practice and Japanese Culture Workshops are only on scheduled weekdays.

**In their free time, participants can join AIU club/circle activities, the Foreign Language Conversation Partner Program, and Japanese Conversation Day (Themed House activities), alongside AIU Degree-seeking and regular-semester international exchange students.

Program Schedule

Please refer to the schedule below.
Example of the schedule of the previous program

Japanese Culture Workshops and Field Trips

Summer Program will offer culture workshops and field trips to local sites and opportunities to appreciate traditional Japanese culture. Students in previous Summer Programs participated in the following culture workshops and field trips:

Japanese Culture Workshops

Shodo (Calligraphy) is one of the Japanese traditional arts. Students learn how to write Kanji and Hiragana in an artistic way with a brush and India ink called sumi.

The Kimono, a beautiful traditional garment, is a source of pride for Japanese people. Up until the Edo period, the Kimono was worn as everyday attire by both Japanese men and women. In this program, participants will be taught how to wear a summer cotton Kimono called a Yukata.

Sado (Tea Ceremony) is the traditional Japanese way of drinking tea in accordance with set rules of etiquette. Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness during the tea ceremony.

Field Trips

Oga Peninsula is one of the most beautiful and famous sightseeing spots in northern Japan. Students who participated in our previous summer programs visited the following places on this trip:
Oga Aquarium “GAO” 
Namahage Museum 
Cape Nyudo 
Mt. Kanpu (Kanpuzan) 

Kakunodate is an old castle town located in eastern central Akita prefecture. Kakunodate was established in 1620 by Yoshikatsu ASHINA, the ruler of the Kakunodate area. This town has been known for its historic samurai mansions since the Edo era and remains popular with tourists from all over the world. It has an atmosphere truly appropriate to its nickname of “Little Kyoto.” The feel of traditional Japan is preserved in this quaint town.
Students who participated in our previous summer programs visited the following places on this trip:
Lake Tazawa (the deepest lake in Japan) 
Samurai Mansions 
Tsurunoyu Hot Spring 

Semboku City Sightseeing Information:
https://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/en/ 
Tazawako-Kakunodate TRAVEL GUIDE:
https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/en/ 

*Japanese Culture Workshops and Field trip destinations are subject to change.

Optional Activities

Sitting in meditation is known as Zazen in the Zen School, with za meaning “sit” and zen meaning “meditation.” The seated posture is one of stillness and relaxation, and expresses a tranquil mind and a settled body. In the practice of zazen, one maintains the body in a position free of tension and movement, and focuses the mind on a single object of attention. This state is one of union of body and mind deepened through the relaxation and regulation of one’s breathing. During this activity, participants visited a temple near AIU for their zazen experience.

*The optional activities are subject to change.

Center for International Affairs
Akita International University
Yuwa, Akita-City 010-1292 Japan
Tel. +81-(0)18-886-5927, +81-(0)18-886-5937
Fax. +81-(0)18-886-5853
Email:[international-summerprogram]
Office Hours (Mon – Fri) 9:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 17:00