DATES:
Fall: September - January
Spring: April - July
Note: The academic year in Japan begins in April and runs through the end of March. Students are welcome to attend for 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 Mason's spring semester.
PROGRAM FEE:
Paid to Mason:
--
$125 Application Fee
--
$350 Administrative Fee ($550 for year long)
-- George Mason Tuition
Paid to Sophia University:
-- Overseas student health insurance required (~$150)
-- Housing (~$4000)
Not Included:
-- International Airfare
--
Passport Fees
--
Visa Fees (U.S. citizens exempt from fee, but still need to apply)
-- Personal Expenses
Financial aid should apply, but you are recommended to discuss aid with your financial aid counselor when planning your study abroad.
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 3.0 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 any of Sophia's schools including:
-- Comparative Culture
--
International Business & Economics
-- Social Sciences
--
Japanese Language
-- Japan Studies
*All courses are conducted in English.
HOUSING:
Students are housed with Japanese students in dorms, all of which are off-campus. Single-sex housing is available, on a limited basis. Other apartment style facilities available for rent through outside agencies. Home stays can be arranged through Japan Travel Bureau.
If arranged in advance, students can be met at the airport and escorted to accommodations by Sophia students upon arrival in Tokyo.
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
Sophia University is one of the most renowned private universities in Japan. The university has been a leader in internationalization in Japan by providing educational opportunities and has an outstanding reputation in the fields of international relations and foreign studies.
International students and Japanese students in the GLNet student group make a trip to the famous Asakusa Shrine.
Founded in 1913, Sophia University - or Jochi Daigaku, in Japanese - was the first Catholic university in Japan. Students choosing to study abroad in fascinating Tokyo, Japan, will have an experience like none other! Experience the latest high-technology and funky street fashion, then retreat to another era by visiting the Imperial Palace or taking in a traditional kabuki performance. Students on direct exchange are administered by the Study Abroad Office while at the University.

Campus building at Sophia
Bundled up against the cold temps in Northern Japan at Sapporo's annual Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival) is Mason student Minami Kurose, far left.
There are more than 800 international students from over 50 countries enrolled at Sophia University, and about 100 foreign professors from 20 different countries. All courses in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, where exchange students enroll, are taught in English.

Guard building at the Imperial Palace of Tokyo
Sophia is located in the heart of Tokyo near the Imperial Palace and a short 5-minute train ride from one of the most exciting and popular areas of Tokyo, Shinjuku. The school falls at the junction of three subway lines, as well as two local trains, making commuting and sightseeing easily accessible and reliable. Students should expect long commutes from home to school - over an hour one way is not abnormal - as the cost of rent in Tokyo is extremely high and most students commute to school from home. Students can choose from several apartment style residences (although space is very limited) where they would live with Japanese students and other international students.

Asakusa Market in Tokyo

You can't study abroad in Japan without developing a love for ramen, pictured above. A far departure from the instant Top Ramen noodles many college students know well!
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:
Tokyo Tourism
U.S. State Department Travel Information
Sophia University Facebook Page
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.
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 Sophia 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.
NOTE:
This program is open to Mason students ONLY. Students must be at least a second semester sophomore at the time of departure and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students should not study abroad the last semester of senior year if they plan to graduate on time.
*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.

