Summer Intensive Japanese Language Program
The Summer Intensive Japanese Language Program is designed for students who want to concentrate on Japanese language study while experiencing life in Japan. Since it began in 1992, JCMU's summer program has welcomed many students to Japan of various majors, ages, and backgrounds. No prior Japanese language study is required. The summer program runs from the beginning of June through the first week in August.
Intensive study of a language in its country of origin is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences one can have in a short period of time. Unlike foreign language study in the U.S., students have an immediate context to apply and develop their skills. The JCMU program involves several hours of daily instruction, supplemented by time in the language lab and with Japanese conversation partners. The instruction emphasizes all four basic skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Students are placed into one of four levels based on placement exams given at the beginning of the program. (A curriculum guide is available upon request). Unless arrangements have been made with their home universities, JCMU summer students will be registered at Michigan State University (MSU) and receive MSU credit, which is widely recognized as eligible for transfer.
Beyond classroom training, JCMU students are able to apply their increasing language skills in the local community and throughout Japan. Field trips, demonstrations, and other activities, whether organized by the JCMU staff or initiated by students, complement language study. Optional homestays with local families [see below] offer the ultimate opportunity to meet and interact with Japanese people. From within the Japanese family structure, students will gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese values, behavior, and sense of balance between personal and group responsibilities.
Housing
Students may either live with community families ("homestays") or in the JCMU apartments. Homestays are an important part of the Japan experience. JCMU arranges homestays of various durations, based on family availability and student preferences. Students may, for example, live for one month in the Center apartments and stay one month with a family, or live for the whole summer in the Center and spend an occasional weekend with a family.
Student apartments are designed for double occupancy, each with a private bedroom/study and shared kitchen and bathroom. Each apartment is separately metered for utilities, including telephones. The residential building also contains a new computer lab, laundry, television room, weight room, and lounge. It is part of a larger JCMU complex including an academic building and a traditional Japanese garden overlooking Lake Biwa. The spacious academic building houses classrooms, a library, language labs, a traditional tatami room, a public restaurant, and offices.
Fees & Expenses (Program Fee and JCMU Consortium Scholarship have been updated and are effective starting Summer 2008)
The summer Program Fee is $6,650 includes tuition, books, and health insurance. A housing fee of $1,320 is also assessed. For students participating in homestays, this covers at least two meals a day and commuting costs between the homestay site and the Center. For students living in the JCMU apartments, the housing fee covers apartment rent, utilties, maintanence, and cleaning.
The fees are to be paid in full before departure. The Program Fee is not refundable. Students contemplating stays beyond 90 days will need to notify the East Lansing office and submit all documents needed for the visa process by the first Friday in March (see the application instructions for details).
Students will make their own flight arrangements within the program schedule.
Sample Summer Budget
Program Fee
$6,650
Housing Fee $1,320
TOTAL $7,970*
*JCMU reserves the right to change program fees at any time
Students will arrange their own transportation. Round-trip airfare is estimated at $1100. Additional out-of-pocket expenses are very difficult to estimate, given variations in the yen/dollar exchange rate and personal spending habits. Students should budget up to $1500 for these expenses, which include food, personal travel, entertainment, gifts, and other miscellaneous items.
Note: Degree-seeking students at JCMU consortium members (the public universities of Michigan) are eligible to receive the JCMU Consortium Scholarship of $1,800 to defray the Program Fee expense. The award is automatic to admitted consortium students whose applications are received by the deadline.
ApplicationThe application should be returned with a $100 nonrefundable deposit, a current official transcript, 2 passport photos (6 if you are an international student or continuing into another semester or also participting in the May seminar) and all the supporting documents listed in the application instructions. Students are urged to apply early. Applications are due on the first Friday in March. Late applications will be accepted, but space is limited!
If you do not have a current passport, please apply for one immediately!
For the Summer Schedule, please check the JCMU Schedule page.
Students may move into the JCMU apartments on the "move-in" date indicated above. Earlier arrivals will need to find their own accommodations until the move-in date. Students may not enter the program later than the last arrival date listed. Everyone must leave JCMU by the "Move-out" day, unless they are continuing into the next semester.