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FUKUOKA UNIVERSITY Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 15 |
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- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Japan
While retaining its time-honored culture, Japan rapidly absorbed Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After its devastating defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become the second most powerful economy in the world and a staunch ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s following three decades of unprecedented growth.
Fukuoka City
Fukuoka City may be referred to as Hakata due to a merge between the once separate cities in 1889. This pleasant city has a population of 1.3 million and is the biggest city in its region, Kyushu. Fukuoka is easy to get around so it's no fuss to visit its sights. You can get a look at spirituality from a Zen point of view in the Shofuku-ji Temple or by visiting any of the other shrines and temples. Other attractions include the Fukuoka Tower, Genko Historical Museum, and the Marine World Umi-no-Nakamichi seaside amusement park.
Japan is a country with a rich culture that is very different from that of the West. Japan is Asia's most developed nation with a population of around 127 million. Before traveling to Japan it would be wise to do research on the country's customs. To find out more about Japan's unique history, culture and current economic status check out the Lonely Planet travel guide (available in most book stores and the Study Abroad Office) where you will find tons of interesting and useful information.
PROGRAM DATES
Academic Year: mid September - early August
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for a full academic year only.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
1997
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Situated in the foothills of the Sefuri Mountains in the southern suburbs of Fukuoka City in Kyushu, the university campus is one of the largest integrated campuses in Japan and covers about 136 acres. With student enrollment numbering more than 23,000, Fukuoka University is one of the leading private institutions for higher education in Japan.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Japanese
Language Information
Participants can take Japanese language and culture courses.
Course Information
For detailed course information, please contact OIE. Top
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
Japanese Language Course for Exchange Students = 18 GT credits
GRADING SYSTEM
Fukuoka uses the following grading system listed below:
Fukuoka Grade = US Grade
90-100% = A
80-89.9% = B
70-79.9% = C
60-69.9% = D
0-59.9% = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally apply at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT.
Keep in mind the cost of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. In general, Japan is more expensive than the United States. In fact it is one of the most expensive countries to travel to in the world. The currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Students who apply for this program may be eligible for a scholarship provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) which will cover a monthly stipend of about 80,000 Yen, and a settling relocation allowance of about 150,000 Yen. For more information, click here.
Following are cost estimates for one semester at Fukuoka that may help you prepare for your terms abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $718 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $750 Roundtrip Airfare $1,800 Room and Board $2,800 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $9,503 (in state) $9,753(out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
For more information, click here.
Meals
There are nine cafeterias on campus at which university faculty and students have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a wide variety of cheap dishes and both Japanese and European menus are provided. Top
INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The extracurricular activities students engage in voluntarily in their free time play an important role at Fukuoka University, where they are seen as a field of training and hence supported administratively and financially as an integral part of our holistic education system. Altogether about 9,000 students, some 40% of all students, participate in these extracurricular activities, which cover an extraordinarily wide range of interests. This participation helps enrich both students' individual characters and their sense of camaraderie, and in so doing makes a major contribution to the dynamic social life of the campus.
At the center of our extracurricular activities is the Student's Union, whose membership comprises all of the students and some staff at Fukuoka University. The Union is managed by the Committee for General Affairs, composed of student representatives elected from each class, which coordinates university club activities and organizes various events. Extracurricular activities are grouped into two categories: the academic and cultural section, and the sports section. As of March 2001, there are 38 clubs and two societies in the academic and cultural section, and 42 clubs and one society in the sports section. Besides these there are 103 hobby circles, and in the Commerce Evening School 10 academic and cultural clubs, nine sports clubs and three societies.
All of these clubs and societies are very active and play a crucial role in university life. Some of the academic and cultural clubs are engaged in unique research activities, while others are highly evaluated for their voluntary service in Fukuoka city. Fukuoka University has a long and proud tradition of sporting prowess, and its sports clubs have a successful record in both Western Japan and national competitions and tournaments.
CLIMATE
The combination of Japan's mountainous territory and the length of the archipelago, as well as Japan's proximity to the continental land mass make for a complex climate with a high degree of seasonal variation. Fukuoka's winter, January through March, has temperatures ranging from 33ºF to 40ºF and the summer, July through September has temperatures ranging from 73ºF to 90ºF. Fukuoka's rainy season usually occurs during June and July.
Keep in mind that these weather pattern are common to Fukuoka, which is located in the southern part of the archipelago in the Kyushu region. Japan's mountainous territory and length creates big climatic differences. You will want to note the different climates of Japan's many regions, including areas of volcanic and earthquake activity, if you plan to travel while studying at Fukuoka University.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here
Unless you are a Japanese citizen, you'll need a passport and a visa to participate in this program. In order to obtain a student visa for study in Japan, you will need to gather several documents and take them to the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta. You should contact the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta to obtain information on how to apply for a student visa click here
One of the documents you will need to obtain your visa is a Certificate of Eligibility. After receiving your application documents, Fukuoka will request a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Office in Tokyo. The Certificate of Eligibility, which takes a several weeks to be prepared, will be sent to us in the Office of International Education and we will forward it to you.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Jennifer Evanuik, Study Abroad Advisor (Exchange Programs)
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: jennifer.evanuik@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Fukuoka
Japan
Asia
Semester
15
12
Japanese
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host universitys students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GTs International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan. For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here