Sophia University

UW-W Partnership Program

 

Location	Tokyo, Japan
Academic Focus	Across the Curriculum
Eligibility	2.5 GPA, All Majors
Language of Instruction	English and Japanese
Winterim Dates	For 2019: January 8 - 31
Partner Website	Click Here

Sophia University is located in the capital city of Japan, Tokyo, the largest metropolitan area in the world. Founded in 1913, Sophia University has grown to be one of Japan’s leading private universities. Its reputation for excellence in undergraduate education, for outstanding graduate programs, and a competitive research environment have allowed Sophia to maintain its ranking as one of the top Japanese private universities. Sophia University has a population of about 12,000 students, and every year the University hosts approximately 800 international students, including over 200 exchange students.

The aim of this program is to invite university students from outside Japan and create a stimulating learning environment for promoting globalization and diversity.
 

Academics

The program consists of 5 courses:

• Japanese Business and Economy.pdf
• Education in Japan.pdf
• Media and Contemporary Issues in Japan.pdf
• Contemporary Japanese Culture and Society.pdf
• Basic Japanese (Beginner Level.pdf or Pre-Beginner Level.pdf)

Among those courses, students take a minimum of two. Each course consists of fifteen 90-minute sessions, and participants will learn about aspects of Japan comprehensively and intensively in 4 weeks. Other than class lectures, some cultural events are offered with no or a small amount of extra cost. (Events may be cancelled, and the number of participants may be limited.) This program is designed in such a way that the participants will be able to learn about and experience Japan both inside and outside classes.

Accommodation

There are 3 choices to arrange your accommodation (Housing_Information_List_JS2019.pdf).
 

1. Recommended accommodation on the Housing list
   Choose the accommodation option when you apply online. 
   The hotel or apartment companies will contact you directly after you pay the program fee.
   
   *As the apartments and hotel rooms are taken on a first-come-first-served basis, you may not be able to reserve a room even if you choose an accommodation from the pull-down menu.
   
   For details, please contact the hotel or apartment companies directly.
    
2. Other accommodation on the Housing list
   Contact one of them individually and make a reservation.
   When making a reservation, mention that you are a participant of a Sophia program.
   If you don’t, you will not be able to get a special discount.
    
3. Your own choice
   Arrange your accommodation on your own.

Student Life and Surroundings

Tokyo, one of the most exciting cities in the world. Unlike other capitals of developed countries, Tokyo is still growing up dramatically and the enthusiasm that comes from its rapid changing attracts people from all over the world. At over 12 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo, which has a population of 35 million people. This huge, developed, and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan. Tokyo is a unique and modern city that has something for everyone. Living in Tokyo, students will also have easy access to many other interesting cities and locations throughout Japan.

Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

Students participating in the Sophia winterim partnership program are subject to Sophia program rates. The Global Experiences Application fee and CISI international insurance are billed to the student’s UW-W account.  Other expenses, estimated in the table below, are paid individually (e.g. airfare, personal expenses) or to the host university (e.g. accommodation, program fee).

As with all approved study abroad programs, UW-W financial aid can be used on this program.  Eligible students are encouraged to apply for the Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad, and UW-W and external study abroad scholarships are available.

Estimated Cost of Attendance 

 

Billed by UW-Whitewater
Application/Administration Fee	225
Contingency Fee	50
CISI Insurance	35
Subtotal	$310
Additional Estimated Expenses
Passport and passport photos	150
Accommodation*	650
Meals	500
Sophia Winterim Program Fee** (tuition, Japanese insurance) (2 courses: 153,000 YEN; 3 courses: 173,000 YEN)	1,354 or  1,531
Personal/Miscellaneous	500
Transportation (in-country)	140
Books/Supplies	50
Round-Trip Airfare	1,500
Subtotal	$4,844 or $5,021
Total***	$5,154 or $5,331

*Accommodation is an estimate; individual options may vary
**Sophia winterim program fee will vary depending on how many courses elected.  See above for current program rates.  Exchange rate taken 9/28/2018.
***For comparison, the UW-W Financial Aid office estimates the cost of attendance on the UW-W campus for one semester to be $9,521.  

Passport and Visa Requirements

Students will need a passport to study abroad that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of their program. 
 

Key Dates

 

Term	Application Deadline	Term Dates
Winterim	October 15	January

 

Contacts

Office of Global Experiences
Office: McCutchan 204
Phone: 262-472-5759
Email: studyabroad@uww.edu