FAQ
Very few people are 100% confident in their language skills. In fact, many people choose to study abroad precisely because they want to improve them. The first step is to objectively assess your current level and sharpen your skills enough to seize the opportunity. Take a look at 'Evaluate and Elevate Your Language Skills!' and start taking concrete action today.
A. Please refer to the annually published "Study Abroad Guide: Application Guidelines for Outgoing Exchange Students" and the International Center website. Regarding partner universities, please gather information from each university's website. Also, the international coordinator at the Office of Student Services on each campus has reports from past exchange students. At the Yagami Campus Office of Student Services (International), we distribute the "List of Recommended Exchange Destinations for Faculty of Science and Technology Students" and provide introductions to professors from each department for career counseling including study abroad, so please consult the Yagami Office of Student Services (International) first. Additionally, participating in study abroad fairs held by embassies and other organizations is another good way to collect information.
A. Credits earned may be recognized as graduation credits. Generally, the following procedures are required.
Before studying abroad, check the courses offered on the host university's website and create a study plan. If you earn credits for the courses you plan to take, consult thoroughly with the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Board regarding which courses offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology they will be recognized as. If you are a third-year undergraduate student wishing for retroactive grade advancement after returning to Japan, check whether there are courses equivalent to the compulsory courses of the Faculty of Science and Technology and whether you will meet the advancement requirements if the earned credits are recognized. The recognition of credits is decided after deliberation by the Academic Advisory Board meeting upon your return. Note that fourth-year undergraduate students cannot graduate retroactively. For details, please consult with the Academic Affairs Section of the Office of Student Services or the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Board.
If you study abroad during a Master's program in the Graduate School, you may be able to complete the program within the standard two-year period depending on the timing and duration. For details, please consult with the Academic Affairs Section of the Office of Student Services or the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Board.
A. Third-year undergraduate students who wish for retroactive advancement should consult thoroughly with the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Board regarding laboratory assignment, in addition to checking their registered courses. If you return in the middle of a semester, even if you meet the requirements for advancement to the fourth year through credit recognition, it may affect the start of your graduation research, which is a compulsory subject for fourth-year students.
In such cases, please be sure to confirm whether the faculty member you wish to be supervised by will accept you—for example, by receiving guidance via email from your study abroad destination until your return and then attending the laboratory after returning. Since the method for laboratory assignment after studying abroad varies by department, please consult thoroughly with the Vice Chair of the Academic Advisory Board.
A. The cost of studying abroad varies depending on the cost of living at the destination. Even within the same country, living expenses change depending on the region and lifestyle, so it is possible to keep costs down to some extent. Please refer to the reports from past exchange students, as they sometimes include information on expenses.
Information on scholarships for students studying abroad is posted as needed on the Scholarship page of the International Center website, so please make use of it. Additionally, general scholarships are introduced on the Scholarship System page of the website for Keio students.
A. As frequently reported in recent news, an increasing number of major companies are launching bold initiatives aimed at globalization, such as making English their official internal language or hiring international students for half of their new graduate positions. In this environment, if you can confidently highlight what you gained from your study abroad experience and your global network during your job search, it is highly likely to be an advantage instead. Furthermore, job hunting is possible even while abroad by participating in local career forums or speaking with Japanese business professionals stationed overseas, depending on your resourcefulness.
However, depending on your desired career path, special job-hunting procedures may be required, so please consult with the career services office before studying abroad.
A. First, you should try asking your laboratory professor about universities that are well-known in your field of interest. Alternatively, researching universities where researchers who have written papers you are interested in are affiliated is also a good method.