DATES:
Fall:
September - January
Spring: March - July
Note: The academic year in Japan begins in April and runs through the end of March. Students are welcome to attend either spring or fall semester or a full year. However, special arrangements may need to be made when studying in Japan during the fall as the semester conflicts with the start of Mason's spring semester.
PROGRAM FEE:
Paid to Mason:
--
$125 Application Fee
--
$350 Administrative Fee ($550 for year long)
-- George Mason Tuition
Paid to Momoyama University:
-- Semester fee (~$375)
-- Overseas student health insurance required (~$88)
-- Housing (~$3050 + utilities)
Not Included:
-- International Airfare
--
Passport Fees
--
Visa Fees (U.S. citizens exempt from fee, but still need to apply)
-- Personal Expenses
NOTE:
If a student applies and is accepted into a direct exchange program and then drops out of the program,the $350 administrative fee is non-refundable. In addition, program fees are subject to change.
ELIGIBILITY:
This program is open to Mason students ONLY. Students must have completed at least 45 credits at the time of departure and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students should not study abroad the last semester of senior year if they plan to graduate on time.
Credits
Students may enroll in a variety of courses and may transfer between 12-16 credits per semester back to Mason, provided the letter grade received is equivalent to a "C" or above. The courses are transfer credit, and therefore will not factor into the GPA of the participant.
Students may enroll in a variety of courses including:
-- Business Administration
-- Economics
-- International Studies
-- Japanese
-- Japan Area Studies
-- Sociology
*
All courses are conducted in English.
HOUSING:
The University provides apartment accommodations are within walking distance of the campus for all exchange students.
Rooms are equipped with a mini-kitchen, bath/lavatory/toilet, desk, chair, desktop lamp, book-stand, TV set, rice cooker, refrigerator, bed, futon set, air conditioner, closet, washing machine, and internal phone. Internet access is also available (fee required).
Contact
Email Daria Stepanova or call (703) 993-2154
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Now accepting online applications!
Fall Semester: March 8
Spring Semester: October 1

HOUSING INFO
DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
A friendly campus in Western Japan offers the perfect setting in which to advance your Japanese language skills while absorbing the exciting and diverse culture of Japan.
Located just outside of Osaka, Japan, Momoyama Gakuin (St. Andrew´s) University proudly promotes its educational policy to foster "Citizens of the World." As one aspect of that policy, the university has created affiliations with educational institutions throughout the world in order to facilitate international student exchange. Every year it welcomes dozens of international students and also sends large numbers of Momoyama students to one or another of its overseas affiliated schools on short- or long-term programs. Students on direct exchange are administered by the Study Abroad Office while at the University.

Mason students Nhu-Y Tu and Sharlen Smith with some of their
fellow exchange students on campus.
The Kansai region, where Momoyama is located, is steeped in Japanese history, and the southern part of that region where the university campus is located has cultural remains dating back more than 1000 years. If you choose to spend a semester or year abroad as a student at Momoyama, you'll see what both traditional and modern Japan have to offer. You will find a community of warm-hearted teachers, staff, and students waiting for you who will provide overall support for every aspect of your stay, in Momoyama´s unique spirit of international open-mindedness.

Momoyama's campus, just about a minute train ride from downtown Osaka.
Students are encouraged to participate in the Buddy System, which pairs incoming exchange students with local Japanese students. This is a great way to have an instant friend when arriving on campus - something that is greatly beneficial when far from home and traveling independently of a group-based program. These buddies can serve as Japanese language partners, local guides, and excellent resources to life in Osaka and Japan in general.

Mason student, Sharlen Smith (second from right), taking in the majestic Osaka Castle with some of her friends at Momoyama.
VISA INFORMATION:
Once accepted into a program, it will be your responsibility to apply for a student visa and/or residence permit (if required, based on your citizenship). You will receive details on this with your acceptance letter. Do not apply for a visa until after you have been officially accepted. Visit the Embassy of Japan's website for further information.
MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
Osaka Tourist Guide
Guide to Japan
U.S. State Department Travel Information
HOW TO APPLY:
Consult the How to Apply section first and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for a direct exchange program. Next, attend a Direct Exchange program information session. Do this prior to starting an application to ensure that you understand how to choose the right program and what is expected of you during the application process.
Check the course offerings at the school you are interested in applying to and check to ensure that they match your course requirements. See “Choosing Courses Abroad” section below.
Once you’ve selected an appropriate program that offers courses that match your major, complete the online application and pay the $125 application fee. Please note that all supplemental documents are also required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please contact the program officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.
CHOOSING COURSES ABROAD:
There is no list of pre-approved classes for you to take on a direct exchange program. It is your responsibility to select courses and get them approved for transfer credit. Please refer to the “Departments and Courses” link on the left-hand side of this page for a list of course options on this program. You must then complete a Petition for Transfer of Credits Form to ensure that your courses will transfer back to Mason. Download a petition form here.
Download petition form instructions for Momoyama here.
You can fill out the petition form prior to acceptance into a specific study abroad program and in fact, you should begin this process when you first consider applying. Identify courses at the host institution that are similar to those at Mason that you need to take. This will increase your chances of receiving transfer credit approval from the Departmental Advisors who must sign your petition form. Follow complete instructions from the link above and contact your program officer if you have questions.
**Note: Make sure you find plenty of primary AND alternate course options before deciding on a specific program. Schedules are subject to change and registration in your preferred classes is not guaranteed, so you should have sufficient alternate course options. Also, please keep in mind that you must enroll in the equivalency of at least 12 U.S. credits per semester.
*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

