Kansai Gaidai, Japan

Student Life

Student organizations, known as Clubs and Circles, abound. They range from sports to traditional Japanese cultural activities such as tea ceremonies or flower arranging. Clubs are very serious organizations; members are expected to Student group be at every meeting. Circles are more laid back--just a chance to have fun with Japanese students.

During orientation in Japan, you can also sign up for the International Buddy program, which matches you with a Japanese student who wishes to practice English. One past student reported, "My international friends and I would all eat lunch together with our speaking partners. This way, we all became one big group of Japanese and international friends."

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Even if you live in the dorms, you can sign up for the Host Visit program. This is a chance to stay with a Japanese family on weekends and get a taste of Japanese life off campus. Gaidai will also give you information on possible volunteer opportunities. In addition to meeting people and giving back to your host community, you may be able to complete your service learning requirement.

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
Hirakata City is well situated for exploring Japan. Osaka, Kyoto & Kobe are within easy reach. Recent participants also report visiting Gifu (to see old Japanese-style architecture), Hiroshima & Miyagima (on a class trip), Takamatsu (on Shikoku island), Tokyo, Nara (to see the deer park & large temple), Okayama, (a beautiful nature area), and Wakayama (to stay in a temple and see the ocean.)

STUDENT COMMENTS
"My experience in Japan is something that I will truly carry with me for the rest of my life. I built friendships with students and teachers from around the world; I saw new places; I tried new foods; I learned a new language; and most of all, I learned to see the world and see myself a little differently". - Nick

Japan has been a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and encounter new ideas. The Kansai region provided me with a wonderful opportunity to see historic Japan by visiting Kyoto and Nara, and modern Japan by visiting Osaka. If you stay a year, you will find yourself becoming a part of society with many Japanese friends. This will undoubtedly be the most rewarding year of my college experience." -Chris

"My Japanese skills and confidence are probably triple what they were before I came here, and I've learned so much about Japanese culture. The campus is situated about halfway between Osaka and Kyoto, which makes the area perfect for venturing off and seeing some of what Japan has to offer." -Nate

"Studying in Japan was a great way to experience a nonwestern culture." -Mark

"It was my dream to come to Japan since I was in 9th grade, and Kansai Gaidai made my experience a dream come true."-Laura

"Japan has forever changed me as a person. I will not return to America with the same feelings and views as when I left. After being in Japan I feel I have a better understanding of myself and the rest of the world. It was the best decision of my life." -Beverly

"This has been one of the most intense and educational experiences of my life. The thing I gained most was the learning I did about myself, and how I fit into my own culture and the world in general. -Tim