Kansai Gaidai University-Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Kansai Gaidai University is located in Hirakata City midway between Osaka, Japan’s "second" city and Kyoto the former Japanese Imperial capital. The university is located in the cultural heart of Japan. Kansai Gaidai University campus provides an excellent starting point from which to begin an exploration of  Japan's past, present and future.

• This program is offered in either the fall or spring semester or for the full academic year.
• The fall program starts in late-August and ends in mid-December.
• The spring program starts in late-January and ends in late-May.

• Students participate in Kansai Gaidai University's Asian Studies program.
• This program is best designed for students who have a General Business, International Business, Social Science, Global Studies or Humanities major, but all students with a broad range of core and electives can apply.
• Courses will be taught in English.
• All students must take a Japanese language course worth 5 credits while at Kansai Gaidai University .

This exchange program offers:

• Round trip airfare
• An independent study abroad experience
• The opportunity for an immersion language experience
• Airport pickup
• Orientation
• University trips at cost

Students have access to the Asian studies support  staff while studying at Kansai Gaidai University.

Students will experience a similar class setting to Loyola (small seminar-style classes). However, students must be prepared for a more independent semester and typically grades consist of a midterm and final exam only. Most classes take place in the classrooms. Class sizes vary from fifteen students and above.

For housing  option, students may choose from either:

• Global Commons: Apartment style campus dorms.
• Homestay: Arranged by the Asian Studies Program.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• Study Abroad Program fee
• International Insurance Premium

Items not included in the Loyola charges but should be budgeted for on this program:

• Meals for living in the Global Commons are not included.
• Students living in a homestay have meals provided by their host family.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

It good to find out if your current bank has a partner bank in Japan. If your bank does have a partner bank, they can use their ATMs and branches to minimize the international fees. 

We have advised students to contact their banks and credit card companies to inform them that they will be out of the country so that their accounts are not frozen once international activity occurs. While doing so, they should also check to see what international fees are incurred when using each of their cards i.e. ATM withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, etc. We also advise that students are aware of the current exchange rate. If using a credit card, check to see if they have foreign transaction fees as this has the potential to save you money in the long run if you’re a frequent card user.

Students will be required to obtain a student visa before going to Japan for their semester or year abroad. Visas cost around $100 (prices vary year to year) and will allow students to stay in Japan during the entirety of their program term. More information can be found in consultation with your program director.

Loyola will arrange and pay for travel to and from Osaka. Any change to the students booked itinerary is done at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes. Group flights are arranged for students traveling to Osaka.

Application Requirements 

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

• Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
• Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad.
• Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 3.00
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
• ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
• An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.