Middlebury C.V. Starr School in Japan
Middlebury School in Japan
International Christian University
3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka
Tokyo 1818585 JAPAN
+81-422-33-3230 (calling from the U.S.)
0422-33-3230 (calling in country)
www.middlebury.edu/study-abroad/japan
Director: Sanae Eda: seda@middlebury.edu
+81-90-5307-8771 (calling from the U.S.)
090-5307-8771 (calling in country)
International Programs
Sunderland Language Center
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
tel. 802-443-5745
fax. 802-443-3157
schoolsabroad@middlebury.edu
www.middlebury.edu
Copyright 2016 by Middlebury College. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
Middlebury College. Please note that information in this handbook is subject to change.
学生の皆さん、
このたびは、ミドルベリー大学日本校へのご入学おめでとうございます。
日本への留学を決心したあなたは、きっとこれまで一生懸命に日本語を勉強してきたこ
とでしょう。でも、私は、いつも学生にこうアドバイスします。
｢日本語が上手になることを目標にしてはいけませんよ。｣
日本語は、意志を伝えるための道具です。そして、道具は何かの目的がなくては役に立
てることが出来ません。皆さんは誰に会って、何を伝えたいですか？自分の才能や夢
を、どう表現しますか？地域をよくするためにどんな貢献をしますか？
日本語が上手になるために日本語を勉強するのではなく、日本語という道具を使って自
分が何をしたいのか、何が出来るのかを、留学中にじっくり考えてみてください。ま
た、日本で出会う様々な人から、今まで知らなかった何かをを学んでください。
皆さんが日本で過ごす時間が、輝く瞬間であふれていますように。そのお手伝いを出来
ることを、とても楽しみにしています。
ミドルベリー大学日本校
所長 江田早苗
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pre-departure ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Approximate Program Costs ......................................................................................................... 6
Expenses ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Student Visa...................................................................................................................................... 6
Japanese Consulates in the U.S. by Jurisdiction .......................................................................... 7
Customs ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Registering with the U.S. Department of State ........................................................................... 9
International Students ..................................................................................................................... 9
Travel to Japan ............................................................................................................................... 10
TSA Regulations........................................................................................................................ 10
Airline Luggage Regulations .................................................................................................... 10
Travel Arrangements ................................................................................................................ 10
Immunizations ............................................................................................................................... 10
Checklist of Items to Pack ........................................................................................................... 11
General Packing Suggestions ....................................................................................................... 11
Clothing ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Bed and Bath Linens ................................................................................................................ 12
Prescriptions .............................................................................................................................. 12
Electrical Appliances ................................................................................................................ 12
Computers .................................................................................................................................. 13
Gifts ............................................................................................................................................ 13
Arrival in Japan ................................................................................................................................... 13
Flights .............................................................................................................................................. 13
Immigration .................................................................................................................................... 14
Transportation from the Airport to Campus area .................................................................... 14
Orientation ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Placement Exam ............................................................................................................................ 15
Academic & Administrative Matters ............................................................................................... 15
Academic Calendar ........................................................................................................................ 16
Credit ............................................................................................................................................... 16
All Undergraduates ................................................................................................................... 16
Middlebury Undergraduates .................................................................................................... 16
Students from Other Colleges and Universities ................................................................... 17
Educational Differences ............................................................................................................... 17
Exams .............................................................................................................................................. 17
Learning Outside the Classroom ................................................................................................. 17
Living in Japan .................................................................................................................................... 18
Housing ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Living with Japanese Roommates ............................................................................................... 19
Living with a Japanese Host Family............................................................................................ 20
Meeting Japanese ........................................................................................................................... 20
Sexual Relations ............................................................................................................................. 21
Cultural Differences ...................................................................................................................... 21
Heritage Learners .......................................................................................................................... 22
Travel Within Japan ...................................................................................................................... 23
Public Transportation in Tokyo.............................................................................................. 23
Health and Safety ............................................................................................................................... 23
Medical Facilities in Tokyo........................................................................................................... 24
Psychological Health & Counseling ............................................................................................ 24
Allergies and Accommodations ................................................................................................... 24
Global Rescue ................................................................................................................................ 24
Sexual Assault and Harassment ................................................................................................... 25
On-Site Money Matters ..................................................................................................................... 25
Currency Exchange ....................................................................................................................... 25
Money and Banking ...................................................................................................................... 25
Emergency Cash ............................................................................................................................ 26
Working in Japan ........................................................................................................................... 26
Communication with Home and Friends ....................................................................................... 26
Communication and Immersion ................................................................................................. 26
Language Pledge ............................................................................................................................ 26
Mail .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Internet and Email......................................................................................................................... 28
Phones ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Communication with School in Japan Office .......................................................................... 29
Local Information .............................................................................................................................. 29
PRE-DEPARTURE
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM COSTS
Estimate of program costs for full and half-year students as of February 2016 can be found on our
website. Middlebury College will bill you for the tuition, room, and health insurance (and the $1,500
per semester study abroad fee for Middlebury students); the remaining expenses will be out-ofpocket. Figures may vary depending on individual lifestyles and situations. Please note that the
“personal” figure covers only some basic necessities and does not and is not intended to include
students’ discretionary spending (e.g. entertainment and travel).
Fluctuating exchange rates make advanced planning of costs challenging. We advise that you
overestimate your costs to accommodate these fluctuations. Please be sure to confirm the exchange
rate shortly before your departure so that you budget accordingly.
EXPENSES
Keep in mind that the amount of money you spend ultimately depends on the lifestyle you choose.
One School in Japan staff member noted "I would even make a direct relationship here: the less
money you spend, the better the experience. The more money you spend, the more you alienate
yourself from the Japanese experience and miss a main point of the program."
Remember to budget extra if you are
planning to travel before or after
your program. If you are a big
spender in the U.S., bringing more
money would be a good idea. Many
students have found that they spend
more than expected on gifts,
transportation (trains and buses),
dining at restaurants, etc. Students
who plan on regularly sampling the
nightlife of their cities should budget
extra money for taxis.
For the most part you will find things in Japan more expensive than in the U.S. Please visit
http://www.tokyoprices.com/ to get a better idea of what things cost.
STUDENT VISA
All students are required to have a “College Student” visa (Ryugaku visa in Japanese) for entry into
Japan as a student. This procedure requires that a student already have a valid passport. Students
must apply for the visa from their local consulate. Some consulates allow students to apply through
them if either their permanent or their home school address falls under their jurisdiction, but you
should verify this with the consulate while you are researching your options.
Please call or check the website of your consulate for instructions as soon as possible, and before
making your travel plans. Some consulates require visas to be applied for and picked up in person;
others will process them by mail. At the time of printing, the Japanese Consulate in Boston allows
students to apply for their visas through the mail. Please note when applying by mail, you must send
your passport by a traceable mail service (i.e. FedEx or UPS) and must also include a prepaid FedEx
or UPS envelope for its safe return to you.
ICU will initiate the visa application
process by applying on your behalf to
the Ministry of Justice in Tokyo for an
official “Certificate of Eligibility of
Residence (COE)”. The COE will be
sent to you late-July or early August.
You then must go to a Japanese
consulate/embassy (or apply by mail
where available) with the COE to obtain
the college student visa in your passport.
Please note that the COE is not the
actual visa, but one of several required documents for the application.
Students must be prepared to submit the following documents to the consulate:
o
o
o
o
One application form, completed and signed. Blank forms are available without charge at
the Japanese consular offices. You can also download blank forms of PDF document from
the website of the Foreign Ministry of Japan.
Valid passport with sufficient space for visa stamp. If, instead of a national passport, you
submit a PERMIT TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES or a REFUGEE TRAVEL
DOCUMENT issued by the U.S. government, it must have a validity date at least six months
beyond the day of application.
One photograph 1.7 inches square, taken within the previous six months of application,
attached to the application forms.
Certificate of Eligibility, original and one photocopy
Students from countries other than the United States may have additional requirements.
JAPANESE CONSULATES IN THE U.S. BY JURISDICTION
The following list is current to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.
Embassy of Japan
[Area Served: District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia]
2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington D.C., 20008-2869
Tel: (202) 238.6700, 238.6800 [Visa Section]
Fax: (202) 328.2187, 328.2184 [Visa Section]
Anchorage
Consular Office of Japan
[Area Served: Alaska]
3601 C Street, Suite 1300
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Tel: (907) 562.8424
Fax: (907) 562.8434
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Atlanta
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia]
Alliance Center Suite 1600
3500 Lenox Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Tel: (404) 240.4300
Fax: (404) 240.4311
Boston
Consulate General of Japan
[Area served: New England]
600 Atlantic Avenue, 22nd Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: (617) 973-9772
Fax: (617) 542-1329
Los Angeles
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Arizona and California (South)]
350 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1700
Los Angeles, California 90071
Tel: (213) 617.6700
Fax: (213) 617.6727
Miami
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Florida]
Brickell Bay View Centre, Suite 3200
80 S.W. 8th Street
Miami, Florida 33130
Tel: (305) 530.9090
Fax: (305) 530.0950
Nashville
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee]
1801 West End Avenue, Suite 900
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Tel: (615) 340.4300
Fax: (615) 340.4311
New York
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico
and Virgin Island]
299 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10171
Tel: (212) 371.8222
Fax: (212) 319.6357
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Portland
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Idaho (South) and Oregon]
2700 Wells Fargo Center
1300 S.W., 5th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201
Tel: (503) 221.1811
Fax: (503) 224.8936
San Francisco
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: California (North) and Nevada]
50 Fremont Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, California 94105
Tel: (415) 777.3533
Fax: (415) 974.3660
Seattle
Consulate General of Japan
[Area Served: Idaho (North), Montana and Washington]
601 Union Street, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98101
Tel: (206) 682.9107
Fax: (206) 624.9097
CUSTOMS
Customs regulations vary from country to country; there are usually limitations on liquor, cigarettes,
and other goods.
REGISTERING WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
In addition to securing a visa, all U.S. students are required to register themselves with the U.S.
Embassy in Japan before departure from the U.S. In the event of international, political, or family
emergencies, or in the event that a passport is lost or stolen, the U.S. Embassy will be much better
able to assist registered students. Please visit the Department of State’s website and follow the links
to register.
Registration is fast and costs nothing. Please print the confirmation page after you have registered;
leave one copy at home and take a copy with you. Students of other nationalities should check to see
if it is possible to register with your own Embassy in Japan.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you are an international student in the U.S., you should meet with the international student
advising staff at your home institution as early as possible to discuss how study abroad may affect
your international student status in the United States and the ways it may impact your future plans.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires re-entry documents for some foreign
nationals. If you are living in the U.S. but are a citizen of another country, check with the USCIS to
Middlebury School in Japan
Page 9
determine the regulations that apply to you and be sure to obtain all necessary re-entry documents
before you leave the United States.
TRAVEL TO JAPAN
TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration regulates what items may be carried aboard the aircraft
and, as these regulations are subject to change frequently; you should consult their website close to
your date of departure. Possessing certain items while going through security may result in fines or, in
the case of firearms, may be considered a criminal offense.
Airline Luggage Regulations
Students should contact their airline to confirm exact luggage allowances. We strongly suggest you
stick to these guidelines, or be prepared to pay excess baggage fees, which can be quite expensive. We
also suggest that you consider insuring your luggage through a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
We always recommend packing a change of clothes, necessary medications, all documents, and any
valuables in your carry-on bag in case a checked bag should go astray temporarily. If your luggage
does get lost, be sure to fill out a lost luggage report before leaving the airport. You need to notify
the Director immediately upon your arrival.
Travel Arrangements
Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements. We recommend using a student travel
agency for flexibility and the best rates:



http://travelcuts.com/
http://www.studentuniverse.com/
http://www.statravel.com/
Consult the School in Japan calendar when planning your travel dates. You must arrive at ICU
campus on the day specified in the calendar. Dorm rooms will not be available to students until the
day before the orientation at ICU begins. All students are required to attend orientation. It is also
important that you not plan your return to the United States nor travel to another destination before
the date of your last final exam. Exam dates will not be changed to accommodate students’ travel
plans. No exceptions will be made, so please don’t ask.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Although no agency requires proof of any immunizations for travel to Japan, experts strongly
recommend that travelers take certain precautions. You should ask your doctor for advice regarding
inoculations. We suggest you inquire as to the advisability of tetanus, flu, and encephalitis
inoculations, as well as immunoglobulin injections for hepatitis A and/or B. You may also check the
most recent CDC recommendations.
Some immunizations require waiting periods in excess of six months between doses and others may
cause brief discomfort, so, if you decide to be inoculated, we suggest you plan ahead; do not wait
until only a month before you depart. Also find out if you are allergic to penicillin, as it is often
prescribed abroad.
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CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO PACK




Visa/Passport (and photocopy)
Airline ticket/itinerary (and photocopy)
Calling card (optional)
Insurance card (to be printed from the HTH Worldwide website after Middlebury
enrolls you)


Credit/Debit cards
U.S. driver’s license or certified copy of birth certificate (in case your passport is lost or
stolen

Medications in original containers with generic drug name and with the
corresponding doctor’s prescription (even OTC medications must be kept in original
packaging)

One set of dress clothes and shoes
GENERAL PACKING SUGGESTIONS
Pack your luggage carefully, keeping in mind that you will
have to carry your luggage on your own while traveling over
great distances or on crowded trains. One rule of thumb is to
pack your bags and walk around the block with them three
times; then re-pack! It is also prudent to bring at least one
bag or container that can be securely locked for storage of
money or valuables, and a smaller bag which can be used for
weekend trips out of town.









If you don’t need it, don’t bring it. Mobility is key
and you’ll undoubtedly be taking home more than you brought. Conversely, if you do need
it, then bring it.
Besides your casual clothing, pack one or two outfits for specific situations: swimming,
exercise, rain and formal occasions.
Bring things that make you feel at home: iPod, journal, books, magazines, pictures (Japanese
roommates are very curious about what your home, friends, and family look like), camera
etc.
Packing thin clothes that can be layered is better than a few bulky items.
Do not bring items that you want to keep white and/or need special laundering (such as silk
or items that need dry cleaning).
Toiletries and personal hygiene items are readily available in Japan. You may wish to bring
small amounts to use when you first arrive, but you can always buy more there.
Contact wearers should remember to bring eye drops, saline solution (for preferred brands)
and a pair of glasses.
Don’t forget to bring your medications as discussed in the Health Issues section. Also, you
may wish to bring over the counter items such as Advil, aspirin, Pepto Bismol, vitamins, and
laxatives, as well as heartburn relief, anti-diarrhea, athlete’s foot, and motion sickness
medications. These items are relatively expensive in Japan.
Other misc. items you may wish to bring include: a travel-sized first aid kit, note cards for
writing thank-you notes, USB drive, a small flashlight, a travel alarm clock.
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
Middlebury strongly recommends buying a money/document pouch that can be worn or
hung underneath your clothes.
Clothing
Choose each item carefully and avoid duplication. Tokyo is a temperate climate and has four distinct
seasons. Spring and fall are mild and will last for three months each. The summer is very hot and
humid. The winter months are relatively dry and the temperature rarely goes below freezing.
Japanese people rely heavily on public transportation and that means you will be walking a lot in
Japan. Make sure to pack bring very comfortable pairs of shoes and sandals.
Please dress appropriately in public spaces. Your appearance is regarded as a sign of respect for the
Japanese community. Please avoid, for instance, tank tops or very short shorts (for men and
women). No one wears pajamas to classrooms in Japan, either. Going clothing shopping with your
friends while in Japan will be a lot of fun. Make it a part of your plan! You will find a wide variety of
styles and prices to choose from. (Uniqlo is just a 10 minute bike-ride away from campus.)
Women who are over 5’6” and men over 5’9”, however, may have a hard time buying clothing there.
Also, it is quite difficult to find shoes that fit American feet.
Bed and Bath Linens
Students must supply their own towels and toiletries. These can all be purchased in Japan. You do
not need to bring sheets, blankets, or pillows with you. You will be asked to lease bed linens through
ICU’s housing office.
Prescriptions
Pharmacies are plentiful and reliable in Japan, and can meet most prescription needs – although there
is no such thing as a refill on a prescription in Japan. To obtain a refill you will need to get a new
prescription from a Japanese physician. A psychiatrist has regular office hours every Friday at ICU’s
counseling center. Those who need a refill for ADHD and/or other conditions will be able to obtain
a prescription by visiting this office.
Please also note that in the event that a prescription must be replaced in Japan, you must have the
GENERIC NAME of your medication on the prescription, in addition to the American 'brand'
name. Local doctors will not be able to assist you in filling a prescription unless you know the
generic/Latin name of the drug that you need.
Japan carefully controls medications entering Japan, so please review this website well before you
depart for Japan. The authorities even pay attention to “quasi-drugs” which include things such as
cosmetics.
If you are allergic to any commonly prescribed medicine such as penicillin, be sure to notify the
Director and any doctors you see while abroad, and ask your personal doctor to suggest some
alternatives to the medications before leaving the U.S. If you regularly take or are allergic to any
medicines, it is very important that you write down the generic name of that medicine. Ask your
doctor to help you with this.
Electrical Appliances
Voltage in Japan is 100 volts. Japanese power outlets are the same as U.S. outlets (ungrounded, 2pin). Most U.S. electrical appliances will work fine in Japan without an adapter.
Middlebury School in Japan
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Computers
Computer resources in Japan may be more limited than in
the U.S. You are therefore encouraged to bring your own
laptop. (There are computers in the Library for student
use, but it is closed during weekends!) Please back up
anything that you have stored on your hard drive.
Previous students have recommended that you take a
USB drive abroad. It is very difficult to find WiFi signals
in Japan outside the campus.
Gifts
We suggest bringing small gifts for your future roommate. Something simple from your local area
such as candy, pictures/postcards, key-chain, baseball cap, t-shirt (medium size) etc. will be much
appreciated by your new friends and acquaintances in Japan. You will find gifts in Japan are always
wrapped, so bring items along with bags or tissue paper to wrap them in upon arrival. Thank-you
notes will be much appreciated, as well.
ARRIVAL IN JAPAN
FLIGHTS
All students are required to attend a three-day arrival orientation that Middlebury School in Japan
organizes, ICU’s Matriculation ceremony, AND the ICU orientation. Please note that the arrival date
for the participants of Middlebury School in Japan is different from the ones that are announced by
ICU and that they set different arrival dates depending on your housing arrangements. Please pay
attention to the announcement of Middlebury’s arrival date BEFORE you purchase your plane
tickets.
If you are arriving in September:
 One-term students will live in Dialogue House, and this dorm has the earliest arrival date on
campus. Please plan to arrive on the
day you are instructed by ICU.
 Full-year students will be spending two
nights in a hotel before moving into
the campus dormitory. Please check the
arrival date for Dialogue House
students and plan to arrive in Tokyo on
that day.
If you are arriving in April:
 All students will live in Dialogue House
but Middlebury School in Japan will
start in mid-March. Please check the arrival date with our office.
Our director will be at the airport on the official arrival day to assist you in your transition from the
airport to the campus area. If you plan to arrive in Japan early to travel in Japan, please inform your
director of your arrival date and contact information during your stay in Japan. Please enter your
itinerary on StudioAbroad (your on-line account where you first applied to study abroad) so that our
Middlebury School in Japan
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director can track you down in case of delays, etc.
IMMIGRATION
You will receive immigration documents on the plane that you must complete prior to clearing
customs and immigration at your port of entry. These will include a Disembarkation and
Embarkation Card and Customs Declaration Card.
After you pass through immigration, pick up your luggage and proceed to Customs. When filling out
your customs declaration, make certain that you accurately state the amount of dollars and other
foreign currency (cash and travelers checks). Your declaration will be examined and stamped by the
customs agent. Students who do not have anything to declare may exit through the Green (“nothing
to declare”) line.
All passengers will be required to be fingerprinted and have a photograph taken.
You will be asked to provide the address at which you are staying in Japan. Please make sure to have
this information readily available with you. You may use director’s phone number as a part of the
contact information:
3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi
Tokyo, Japan 181-8585
090-5307-8771
In the airport, you will receive an “entry card.” You will need to go to the Mitaka City Hall to
register your address. (This will be a part of our orientation.) This guide will be useful:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/pdf/language/007.pdf
Our director will be at Narita airport on the day of the arrival. Look for a Middlebury Banner at the
Meeting Place (located in the center portion of each of the two Terminals).
TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT TO CAMPUS AREA
Students headed to the ICU campus should take a shuttle bus (Airport Limousine Bus) from Narita
Airport to Kichijoji Station. It will cost 3100-yen and the schedule can be found here:
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/. Their ticket counters are located right in front of the luggage
area. It is very well marked and it is hard to miss their bright orange sign. The bus does not make
any other stops on the way to Kichijoji. When you get off the bus, the taxi station is right next to the
drop off spot of the bus.
Take a taxi from Kichijoji to ICU campus (cost approx. 2500-yen). You may wish to coordinate with
other students in the group to share the taxi ride. Tell the taxi driver to go to the ICU campus (say “I
see you” and the driver will understand it). Here is the address—we recommend you print it to show
it to your driver:
三鷹市大沢 3-10-2
国際基督教大学内
ダイアログハウス
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Students in the one-year program will stay in a hotel near Musashi-sakai Station. You will take a
shuttle bus from Narita Airport to Kichijoji (as explained above) and take a taxi from Kichijoji to the
South Exit of Musashi-sakai Station (武蔵境駅南口).
シティテル武蔵境
http://www.hotel-citytel.jp/citytel_sakai/index.html
ORIENTATION
Upon arrival in Japan, all students will participate in a mandatory orientation
program that is organized by Middlebury School in Japan, as well as the one
organized by ICU for all incoming students. Please note that even though all
orientation meetings organized by ICU are held in English, the spirit of the
Language Pledge is always in effect while you’re abroad. Staff will be
available to answer questions throughout orientation, so you will be ready to
dive into the Language Pledge and your first day of class. Middlebury will organize a visit to a cell
phone shop and a group dinner on the first weekend of orientation.
PLACEMENT EXAM
Japanese Language Placement testing will be administered during orientation to determine language
level. This placement test is mandated by the Japanese Language Program (JLP) at ICU, and
Middlebury College will not be able to change the placement once the result is given. Students do not
need to prepare for this exam, but we highly recommend that you to review kanji before the
placement test because ICU’s Japanese Language Program weighs heavily your ability to read and
reproduce kanji characters when placing you in your language class. Some students in the past felt
that they were placed “lower” than what they thought they were capable in terms of speaking and
listening. Review kanji during your flight to Japan!
ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Middlebury College considers a semester or academic
year abroad equivalent to a semester or academic year in
the United States. Students are not permitted to carry
either lighter or heavier than normal loads, even if their
home schools would allow it.
Because an
undergraduate student's home institution determines the
number of credits awarded for work abroad, students
are urged to consult with their advisers well ahead of
time.
Students are required to enroll in a Japanese language
course (JLP) according to the results of the placement
test during the fall, and proceed to the subsequent levels during the winter and spring trimesters.
Middlebury School in Japan
Page 15
Students will also enroll in the Cultural Portfolio and Community Engagement / Internship courses,
offered by Middlebury College, all year. Students will add one content course in the winter and two
content courses in the spring trimester.
Courses at ICU are taught in either Japanese (J), Japanese with some English (J/E), English with
some Japanese (E/J), or English (E). Students will choose a content course (J or J/E course) by
consulting the course catalogue prepared by ICU prior to the university's winter and spring course
registration day. Upon approval, students may also be permitted to enroll in E/J or E courses in
their major field of study when doing so is absolutely necessary to fulfill the major requirement while
studying abroad. Students who wish to do so must consult with his or her major advisor, program
coordinator, and director and be approved PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Students must be prepared for the fact that the professor's approach to teaching may be very
different than what they are accustomed to. Students must write final project papers in Japanese even
if instructors of J/E courses may leave the choice up to the student. Students will work closely with
the Middlebury Writing Advisors to complete a research paper IN JAPANESE on the topic that is
appropriate for the course he or she is taking.
Students will purchase textbooks and required course materials at ICU.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
You can view the School in Japan calendar here. Students are expected to remain in Japan until they
have finished all academic obligations including program courses and exams, university courses and
exams, internships and all associated work. Students who choose to leave before the established date
for the end of the trimester or year may forfeit credit for the entire program.
Students should take careful note that the fall trimester ends in late November. There is then a twoweek break, followed by a second trimester (including another two-week break from Christmas
through the new year) that goes until the end of February. There is a month-long spring break
followed by the third trimester, which finishes in late June.
CREDIT
All Undergraduates
Every student’s academic program must be approved by the Director of the School in Japan.
Students are not permitted to take lighter loads, nor will they receive additional credit for heavier
loads. Forms are available at the School in Japan office to help students document all information
relevant for course recognition and transfer to their home institutions.
Middlebury Undergraduates
Middlebury College students receive three units of credit for the fall, six units of credit for the
fall/winter, four units of credit for the spring, and nine units of credit for the academic year.
To receive major credit for courses taken abroad, you need to bring the following information back
with you:
· Course syllabi
· Course work
· Any other material you think will be useful in determining the course content
Middlebury School in Japan
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Students from Other Colleges and Universities
Middlebury College considers a semester/academic year abroad equivalent to a semester/academic
year in the U.S. Students who transfer their credits to other institutions typically receive 15-16 credit
hours per semester or 20-25 quarter units per semester for a full course load. Because an
undergraduate student’s home institution determines the number of credits awarded for work abroad,
students are urged to consult with their advisers well ahead of time.
EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES
The relationship between teachers and students in Japan is different from that in the United
States. It is often warmer and yet more formal at the same time. If you keep a few of these
differences in mind, it will help prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication between you and
your teachers.
Students should show a high level of respect toward their teachers. This respect may be shown in
ways that are somewhat different from in the United States. It is expected that students will go to
class on time, turn their cell phones off, be well-prepared, notify the instructor if they take a sick
leave in advance of the class, or will otherwise miss class.
Keep in mind that some behavior that is acceptable in the United States may convey a message of
disrespect in Japan. For instance, “asking questions” or “offering unsolicited comments” may
sometimes be regarded as impolite, or even inappropriate, in classrooms. This tendency might be
more common among older male professors who received academic training in Japan. The best
advice is for you to be aware of such differences and use your judgment. Remember that the same
intentions (for instance, “being respectful”) are expressed differently in different cultures, and you are
there to learn a new way of such expressions. The School in Japan maintains a strict “no eating in
class” policy. We also ask all the participants to use polite-level Japanese with professors.
When you miss a class due to illness, it is not unusual for your teacher to show concern by calling
you. This does not mean the teacher doesn’t believe you are sick or is being overly nosy; instead the
teacher is demonstrating care for your well-being.
EXAMS
Students are required to take all exams when and where they are scheduled, even if students on other
study abroad/exchange programs are allowed to opt out or rearrange exam schedules. This means
that you are required to sit for exams at the same time and place as students in the host country.
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
In addition to the JLP and main stream courses at
ICU, the Middlebury program offers the Cultural
Portfolio where students are sent around Tokyo for
information-gathering expeditions and to engage in
structured reflections as a group.
All students choose one community engagement
activity and complete a 24-hour practicum. The School
in Japan staff will assist with the placement process
and will be available for consultation. Year-long
Middlebury School in Japan
Page 17
students in their second and third trimester may pursue a credit-bearing internship. The School in
Japan requires that all community engagement / internship activities take place in an environment
that is at least 80% Japanese-speaking. Detailed applications and instructions will be provided during
the fall semester.
Students will participate in a variety of cultural
excursions to relevant sites, some as a School in Japan
group, and sometimes independently. Students will also
participate in other activities organized by the Director.
Students have a variety of co-curricular options in sport
and arts. On-campus clubs include aikido, folk dance,
taichi, karate, music, flower arrangement, soccer, rugby,
baseball, water-polo, among many others.
More than most other clubs on campus, ICU's Kendo club
was a fantastic way to immerse myself in the culture and
tradition of Japan. While it required a considerable
commitment of time, the strong friendships, discipline, and
cultural immersion that came with being a member of this
club easily made it one of the highlights of my study abroad
experience! -- Gregg Thomas, ‘14
GRADE EQUIVALENCY
ICU Course (JLP and direct enroll) Scale
A
83-100
A- 80-82
B+
77-79
B
73-76
B- 70-72
C+
67-69
C
63-66
C- 60-62
D
50-59
F
0-49
Middlebury Course (Cultural Portfolio)
Scale
A
93-100
A- 90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B- 80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C- 70-72
D
60-69
F
0-59
LIVING IN JAPAN
HOUSING
Life in a Japanese dormitory will provide you with an excellent opportunity to study and experience
Japanese culture. Those students who are participating in the full year program will live in one of the
ICU campus dormitories and will be assigned a Japanese roommate. We recommend the traditional
dormitory for an authentic, demanding and rewarding cultural experience where all residence hall
members participate in meetings and activities to govern themselves (Second Men’s Dormitory,
Canada House (male), Third Women’s Dormitory, Fourth Women’s Dormitory). The new dorms on
the ICU campus (Ginko House, Zelkova House, and Oak House) are more modern, but do not
come with dorm traditions and may not give you as strong a sense of belonging. Also keep in mind
that new dorms have a strict curfew.
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Students who are applying to ICU through the Middlebury School in Japan are NOT allowed to
apply to live in Global House. This dorm is designated as an “English House” for ICU students;
therefore their mission is incompatible with the spirit of our Language Pledge.
Students who study in Japan for only one trimester
live in the Dialogue House, which is the dorm on the
ICU campus for international students. Your
roommate in this dormitory will, by definition, have
to be another international student. We realize that
this housing arrangement will give you an additional
challenge for upholding the spirit of the Language
Pledge. The School in Japan will provide support to
help you find organizations in which to volunteer or
participate so that you become integrated into the
local community life outside campus.
Canada House is one of the oldest guys-only dorms on campus.
Because it is old, the rooms and building itself are not the
prettiest or cleanest. Despite this, it’s still a pretty good place to
live. As an old dorm, it’s considered one of the more “traditional”
dorms, meaning that it has features like an onsen-style
bathroom. Also the rules are pretty chill, meaning that there is
no curfew and that you can bring girls over, etc.
–Alberto Servin ‘14
Both short-term and full-year students may apply for a home-stay program through ICU, but we do
not recommend this option to our participants Home-stays certainly offers an opportunity to learn
much about Japan outside of campus; however, one significant limitation is that home-stay families
are located at a distance from the university. Please know that this is the reality of Tokyo life; a oneto two-hour commute to the workplace is considered normal. We encourage you to focus your time
engaging in community activities on and around campus than to spend the time commuting.
A small kitchenette is available in the dormitory for
preparing light meals.
There is also a small
convenience store on campus (inside the bookstore,
Sanseido) where you can buy boxed lunch, rice balls,
breads, snacks, noodles, etc.
Students are not permitted to move into the dorm
room earlier than the day before the start of
orientation.
LIVING WITH JAPANESE ROOMMATES
All full-year students live with Japanese roommates in dormitories on the ICU campus. Room
assignments are made before student arrival. Having a Japanese roommate should be considered a
privilege. Former students have found this experience to be one of their favorite aspects of the
program. Both challenging and rewarding, living with a Japanese student gives you the opportunity
to make local friends while simultaneously improving your language skills. Your roommate is not
your teacher or your dictionary, though roommates are almost always happy to help you if you have a
question about Japanese culture or your language studies. It is simply the daily interaction between
you and your roommate that makes this living arrangement so productive for both sides.
There are lots of ways you can strengthen your relationship with your roommate, eating meals
together is one. There are several cafeterias on campus and all are convenient to the classrooms and
dorm.
Not all roommates become best friends, but many do. Should you encounter a problem in your
relationship with your roommate however, you are encouraged to try and work it out with him or her
as you would if you encountered a problem with any other roommate. Talk things out, compromise,
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and try to be more sensitive to each other’s needs. If this does not work, the “dorm parents” and the
Director can help.
LIVING WITH A JAPANESE HOST FAMILY
We highly recommend you to take a tutorial at the following site to prepare yourself for your homestay experience in Japan.
http://athome.nealrc.org/index.html
This tutorial will help you realize that the most important preparation for inter-cultural
communication begins by learning to know that one’s own “common sense” might not be valid in
the host culture and that most well-meaning natives of the host culture would not hold the same set
of values as yours. Be ready to appreciate the warm welcome of your host family by learning to
recognize the signs of hospitality in appropriate contexts. If you are able to do so, this home-stay
experience will become the most rewarding and most memorable part of your study abroad!
MEETING JAPANESE
Developing friendships with locals can add significantly to your learning experience in
Japan. Besides language practice, you can also gain insight into the local culture and
society. Middlebury encourages you to meet and talk to local citizens. Being on campus, you will be
surrounded by friends your own age, with your kind of background. Real Japan extends far and wide
beyond the limit of ICU campus. Talk to strangers on the street and ask for directions, strike up a
conversation with someone at a bus stop. Take the initiative to communicate with a wide spectrum
of people, all of whom represent some segment of Japan.
Because English is considered the language for “international” communication, many of your
Japanese friends will want to practice English with you. The School in Japan is located in Tokyo
where you are more than likely to be surrounded by friends whose primary interest in you is to
improve their English skills. Now in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, the government is
encouraging Japanese to speak to foreign visitors in English. All of these, we realize, are going to
send you a discouraging message upon arrival in Japan. We understand that it will be difficult for you
to convince them that you really want to speak Japanese with them – but don’t be discouraged! Help
them understand that you are there to learn the language, and use tactics to communicate your
commitment to speaking Japanese. We will discuss strategies to help you “negotiate” this with locals,
but remember that ultimately it is you who will uphold the spirit of the language pledge and use the
target language consistently in your everyday interaction with others.
One of the strategies in making friends is for you to join groups, such as sports clubs or local
community organizations. They are meeting because they share a certain interest, and you are likely
to be welcomed as one of “them.” As a part of
Volunteering has allowed me to get out into Japanese society and
our Community Engagement activities, past
students have volunteered at local elementary
integrate myself there, seeing and participating in regular Japanese lives
schools, nursing homes, Mitaka City Tourism
far from international student culture and large-scale international
Office, a Rakugo performance group, organic
relations. When I volunteer, I feel like I'm getting to know about real life,
farms, and publishing companies. This list will
everyday life in Japan, more than the politics, gender studies and agegrow as you come and help us identify more
groups to work with. Come prepared to learn to
old literature that they teach you in class. – Katherine Jordan, ‘14
be a contributing member of the local
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community, and tell us how we can assist you in that process.
SEXUAL RELATIONS
Friendships between Japanese and foreigners should also be handled with sensitivity. The locals
might see a relationship that an American student might consider a casual friendship as a serious
relationship that will lead to marriage. Even a casual relationship does not go unobserved by
others. Japanese society is much more conservative than Western society in this area. Sexual
relationships in Japan imply a different level of commitment than they do in the United States, and
the potential for emotional damage is great. For this reason, Middlebury strongly discourages
students from engaging in casual sexual relations with locals.
As a result of growing exposure to Western pop culture in the form of travelers, films, music, etc.,
you might find that some of your new friends seem very westernized, even to the point of having
acquired excellent colloquial English. Please keep in mind that while their understanding of our
culture helps make a good basis for friendship, their “Americanization” is often very
deceiving. Ironically, this superficial familiarity with our language and culture can cause even more
misunderstanding, especially surrounding issues of romance. Be careful. You may stay in Japan for
one semester or even one year, but your Japanese friends will likely spend their whole lives in
Japan. Youthful indiscretions now may hurt your friend later on.
One more note of caution: while the School in Japan has confidence in our students’ ability to make
good decisions and take care of themselves in an unfamiliar place, situations are sometimes not what
they appear. In Japan this is particularly the case with prostitution. The number of prostitutes has
increased dramatically over the last few years, particularly in large cities. It may be difficult to tell who
is a prostitute, especially in nightclubs, where it is normal to meet and socialize with many different
types of people. In the past, students have gotten into trouble by not realizing how others perceived
their intentions. Leaving with a person you just met can lead to conflicts with the police or
gangs. For your own safety, we ask that you be aware of what is happening around you at all times
and exercise good judgment in social situations.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
The language barrier and living as a foreigner in a strange city will present a variety of challenges.
Culture shock and cultural differences specific to Japan will be discussed in great detail in orientation
and in the Cultural Portfolio course throughout your stay in Japan, but it is a good idea to begin
preparing yourself for some of these challenges now.
During your stay in Japan, you will need to adapt to new patterns of behavior. The best way to begin
this is to keep in mind how you as a foreigner appear to local citizens. Notice the differences in the
behavior of students of your gender and age. Our participants do not go to Japan deliberately
indifferent to local sensibilities. However, some customs and attitudes differ from ours, and it is
possible to offend someone unintentionally. You will also sometimes be offended by the behavior
and comments of the Japanese. Beware that prejudices that exist in American culture (against
African-Americans; against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals; against Jews, etc.) are common in Japanese
culture as well and are spoken of much more openly. Be prepared for these comments on the street,
in the classroom, and in your dormitory.
Life as a foreigner in Japan can be fun, exhilarating, and eye-opening, but also frustrating at times.
Your experience depends to a large degree on your own expectations and approach. We have found
that if you go to Japan with unrealistic expectations, you will almost certainly be disappointed; but if
Middlebury School in Japan
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your expectations are realistic, you will be able to enjoy Japan to its fullest and take any frustrations
you encounter in stride.
One of the major differences between life in the United States as a student and your life in Japan is
that you will be perceived by many as a member of a group. In Japan, membership in groups is
considered more important than it is in the United States, and you will be expected to act as a group
member. For instance, Japanese dormitories have many organized activities and regular meetings that
all members are required to attend. As a member of a sport club, you may be requested to attend
meetings and parties; you may be told to clean equipment and grounds as a junior member. Former
students will tell you, without an exception, how such chores were felt as nuisance at the beginning,
but that they were indeed excellent ways to see the workings of “inner-circles” of friendship. Be
patient. Know that it takes a long time for a Japanese group to accept foreigners as an in-group
member, but once it happens, you will know that you have indeed accomplished true cultural
competence.
You will find it easier to adapt if you avoid spending a lot of time with other Westerners in Japan.
Western bars, restaurants, and clubs may be comfortable and fun, but resorting to them will hinder
your adjustment to life abroad. Instead, consider joining a student “club” on campus. Previous
students have participated in many sport clubs, such as baseball, rugby, badminton, kendo, judo,
aikido, Frisbee, hip-hop dance, etc. Spending time with your Japanese friends and exploring the city
itself will also enhance your language learning and make it easier for you to understand why things
happen the way they do in Japan.
Please keep in mind that the local administrators of the School in Japan must operate under local
restrictions and conditions. There may be unspoken social conditions that you and/or the School in
Japan staff may not realize that affect everyday situations in Japan. The School in Japan works very
hard to solve whatever problems you encounter, but there will be times when there may be no
possible resolution or you won’t find the solution to your liking.
For these reasons, it may be easy to get discouraged. The best defense against this is to try to
understand the underlying reasons for difficulties, change what can be changed, and work around
those things that cannot be changed. You can
spend a lot of time getting frustrated over aspects
of life abroad that you as an individual cannot
change, or you can accept them and get the most
out of this experience by considering this a unique
opportunity to gain an insider’s view of Japanese
society up close and focus on becoming able to
describe accurately the features of such cultural
differences. Life in Japan can be exciting and
rewarding for those who approach it with the
right frame of mind.
Remember too that to the people you meet, you represent not only yourself, but your country. You
may be the only foreigner they have encountered, and they will often judge others by their
impressions of you.
HERITAGE LEARNERS
If you are of Japanese descent, studying in Japan may be the realization of a long held desire to learn
more about your own heritage and roots. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience first-hand the
country that you’ve heard and read so much about and, of course, to improve your language skills. It
Middlebury School in Japan
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may also be an important phase in developing your understanding of yourself. At the same time,
some former students felt they were psychologically unprepared for the challenges to their selfidentity that they met in Japan. There is often a feeling of being “caught between two worlds.”
You may be surprised by the assumption made by classmates, locals and even some teachers, that,
since you are Japanese-American, you should speak the language well. When off campus with your
classmates, some locals may mistake you as their official interpreter. Or they may tell you how poor
your language skills are while your non-Japanese peers are complimented for being able to say just
“ohayoo gozaimasu”! While being of Japanese descent will help you blend in and avoid the stares that
your other classmates may regularly encounter, at other times you may be envious of the “novelty”
treatment your fellow classmates receive—everything from photo requests to spontaneous
invitations home for a meal. There may be times when you encounter discrimination. The vast
majority of the time, however, people will simply be curious about your upbringing and eager to hear
about your experiences in the U.S. as a Japanese-American. Many Japanese citizens will be pleased to
learn that you have “returned” to study the language.
TRAVEL WITHIN JAPAN
The School in Japan’s on-site office has several travel and guidebooks for your use.
Due to the intensive nature of the program, the Director has the right to restrict or refuse an
excursion if he/she does not feel it is safe or if the student is not maintaining satisfactory academic
performance.
When you are traveling outside Tokyo, please complete a travel form and inform your
director of your travel plans. This is a required safety precaution.
Public Transportation in Tokyo
Bus, subway, and train service in Tokyo is extensive. Most
students at ICU rely exclusively on public transportation when
travelling off-campus. Bicycles are considered the most
common means of transportation among local students and we
highly recommend you to purchase one, especially if you are
living in Japan for a year. There are bicycles for purchase
(including more affordable used bikes) near campus. Dialogue
House (on campus dormitory for short term students)
provides bicycles to check out for the residents.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
As an international student, you should take the same precautions you would in any large city,
anywhere in the world. During orientation, we will address the issue of security in greater depth. For
more information about general conditions in Japan, consult the State Department information page.
Middlebury does not permit students to travel, even independently and even while on break, to areas
under a State Department warning while enrolled in the program abroad.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES IN TOKYO
There is a clinic on the ICU campus which should be the first stop for ill students. The staff at the
clinic will refer students to other hospitals if the students’ situation is more complex. Students can
also refer to the HTH website for physicians and hospitals in Tokyo.
Adequate and inexpensive medical and hospital services are available in Japan. All international
students are required by law to join Japan’s national health insurance upon arrival. Once you receive
the insurance card in country, you should carry it with you at all times. This card serves as your ID
(an equivalent of your SSN in the U.S.) and, if you need to consult a medical doctor, you are required
to present it. You are expected to present your Japanese National Health Insurance card to receive
treatment at any local hospital, and you will automatically receive 90% discount of ordinary medical
treatment (surgeries and hospitalization will not fall in this category). You will pay the amount as
requested out of your pocket, then file the HTH claim form to receive reimbursement of what you
have paid.
Students are strongly advised to contact the Director of the School in Japan before going to a
hospital.
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH & COUNSELING
Students should be very realistic about their abilities to function in a high-stress environment. Japan
is a difficult and stressful place in which to live, and, rather than disappearing in the new
surroundings, conditions like depression and eating disorders are often exacerbated by a stay in
Japan. ICU Counseling Center is conveniently located next to School in Japan’s office and English
speaking counselors are available; a licensed psychiatrist is available every Friday, as well. Visit the
office to receive advice if you recognize symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, etc. Middlebury
staff will always be happy to see you in the office, too.
ALLERGIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have any serious allergies that may be an issue in Japan or require accommodation for any
condition while abroad, please be in touch with the Middlebury staff before making a final
commitment to the program to ensure that your needs can be met abroad.
GLOBAL RESCUE
Middlebury has partnered with Global Rescue LLC to provide travelers with access to an intelligence
platform (GRID) that ensures that you are well informed and prepared before and during your
travels. This arrangement allows you access to Destination Reports which outline medical and
security risks in your host country and other countries you may visit. Through GRID, you are also
able to view alert notifications for events that are happening around the world. In addition, while
abroad, you will automatically receive health, safety, and security reports based on your destination,
along
with
expert
analysis
and
advice.
You will receive user log-in information and instructions directly from Global Rescue in order to
access this resource. (This email is not junk. Please save it!) If you have access to a
smartphone/mobile device while abroad, we strongly recommend that you also download the Global
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Rescue GRID application which is available at the Apple Store (iOS 5 and above), Google Play
(Android 4.4 and above), and BlackBerry App World (10.2 and above). Through this application,
you will be able to reach out directly to Global Rescue in an emergency situation via its in-app
emergency call button as well as run Destination Reports, view event alerts, and "Check-In" if there
is a crisis (or even a sketchy situation) in your host country, and you want to notify key staff
members of your whereabouts. This "check-in" feature should not be used if you are in a real
emergency situation, and need immediate assistance, unless you're asked to do this by your resident
staff. In cases of emergency, please contact your resident staff or contacts that they will give you
during orientation, and if that fails, then Global Rescue.
For more information on Global Rescue, please visit www.globalrescue.com.
Contact Global Rescue Operations Center 24 hours a day by calling:
+1 (617) 459-4200 (collect calls accepted) or emailing operations@globalrescue.com.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
A recent study has shown that studying abroad may increase your risk of unwanted sexual contact.
The Department of State has this to say:
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/smarttravel/forwomentravelers.php
Our on-site staff is your primary resource for advice to keep yourself safe and can also direct you to
local support resources, including the Human Rights Commission on the ICU campus.
ON-SITE MONEY MATTERS
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
We highly encourage you to cash your travelers’ checks and/or exchange money at the airport if do
not take cash (yen) abroad with you. We recommend you to have an equivalent of at least $500 in
cash with you during your first week in Japan. You will need to buy a cell phone and do some other
shopping to start your new life during the first week. Please keep in mind, also, that ATMs are not
open during the weekends in Japan!
MONEY AND BANKING
Japan is primarily a cash-based society; large transactions in cash are common. Credit card use is
much more limited in Japan than in the U.S., and people rarely use credit cards for purchases of less
than the equivalent of $50. We therefore suggest that you travel with several sources of money:
ATM/debit card, credit card (Master card or Visa), and cash. This will ensure that even if one of
your means for accessing money fails, you will not be stranded without money.
If you plan to use debit or ATM cards while overseas, be sure to notify your U.S. bank that you will
be living in Japan for the semester/year. You may want to request the bank to raise the daily limit of
cash withdrawal. You should also check with your bank regarding applicable fees which can
Middlebury School in Japan
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sometimes be steep. ATM machines in convenience stores and post offices can be used to withdraw
money from foreign bank accounts, and there are some on the ICU campus.
It is possible to open a bank account at a Japanese bank once you are in Japan and this may make
sense if you are staying in Japan for a year. This way funds can be transferred most easily in a lump
sum and you will be able to get a local ATM card.
EMERGENCY CASH
BEFORE you leave the U.S., you should discuss with family and friends a plan for getting more
money during the program. Check Western Union details and service fees, credit cards, and ATM
daily limits and availability.
WORKING IN JAPAN
Students participating in study abroad programs are not allowed to work even though it is legally
permitted. For instance, it is very common for international students to be offered well-paying jobs
to tutor English. Please remember that this contradicts the spirit of Middlebury College in two ways:
students are here to study and they are here to speak Japanese. If, however, you are invited to work at
a place where you may be speaking in Japanese more than 80% of the time, please consult with the
Director of the program to turn it into an (unpaid) internship so that you have guidance and approval
while participating.
COMMUNICATION WITH HOME AND
FRIENDS
COMMUNICATION AND IMMERSION
Students who seek maximum immersion in Japan should also note that regular communication with
home can significantly hinder their language progress and their adjustment to the new culture. If
your goal is maximum immersion, you should prepare family and friends for the reality and explain
to them that regular calling or e-mailing may interfere with your language acquisition. If something
has gone wrong, your family will learn about it immediately. Otherwise, you can remind them that no
news is good news.
LANGUAGE PLEDGE
Among the many things that Middlebury College expects during study abroad is for students to
develop a degree of independence and to take responsibility for them. Here is a copy of the pledge
you signed when you enrolled in the program:
To take fullest advantage of my time abroad, I will maintain the spirit of the Middlebury Language Pledge to speak
only the language that I am studying. I understand that no English is to be used in the School’s offices, except in
emergency consultations with the Director and his or her staff. I recognize that the Language Pledge plays a major role
Middlebury School in Japan
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in the success of the academic, social, and personal dimensions of my time abroad, both as a symbol of commitment and
as an essential part of the language learning process, as proven by the successes of the summer Language Schools. I
understand that speaking the target language with other students on the program as well as with locals will help me
focus my energies on the acquisition of the language and internalize the patterns of communication and the cultural
perspectives associated with the language.
Violation of the Language Pledge deprives me and my fellow students of a valuable opportunity. By signing this, I agree
to abide by the Middlebury College Language Pledge.
Calls to family and friends overseas are permitted, but students should realize that frequent contact
with anyone back home removes them from the experience they signed up for.
MAIL
Please have your family and friends keep the following things in mind when mailing materials to you:
 All mail sent to the student should be mailed no later than two weeks before the end of the
program. The student should not expect to receive mail or telephone messages during long
weekends or tours away from his/her home city, except in an emergency. Please note that
the School in Japan is not responsible for, nor will we be able to forward, any mail received
for students after they have left the program.
 Send everything by airmail and never surface mail.
 Airmail may take two weeks to arrive. UPS, DHL, FedEx, and USPS express mail take about
a week.
 Include a list of contents that should be in the package should the package break or items
become lost during occasional inspections.
 Carefully seal all items in a plastic bag if the item has the potential to leak or break apart.
 To avoid large customs fees, senders should label packages “used personal belongings” and
if anything new is shipped, it should have tags removed and have been washed.
Packages usually will not go directly to the student. The student will be notified in writing and will
have to go to the post office with his/her passport where the package will be inspected before being
released.
Your mailing address will be:
(Your name)
(Your dorm name)
International Christian University
3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka
Tokyo 181-8585 JAPAN
In case of an emergency, your family/friends may contact International Programs at Middlebury
College.
When writing home, first consider the effect your e-mail or mail will have on your loved ones
thousands of miles away. On a given day you may be feeling upset, but by the time your relatives
receive your messages you may be in good spirits again. Remember that your friends and relatives
will be very concerned about you and have little recourse from the United States to help you out at
the time of difficulty, however willing they might be. For daily troubles, therefore, nearby friends are
the best people to consult.
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Problems and inconveniences that you feel are significant enough to mention to your parents (by
mail, e-mail, or phone) should also be discussed with the Director. The Middlebury office often
receives calls from worried parents with valid concerns. If you have not communicated these
concerns to the Director, however, the Middlebury office is unequipped to address your parents'
concerns.
An informal journal can be kept by recounting your activities in letters home and requesting that
your friends and relatives keep the letters for you. You may want to number your letters so that all
letters can be tracked, and the people receiving them will know when one has been delayed or lost.
Blogging is also a great way of updating all of your friends and relatives at the same time while also
keeping a record of your experiences.
INTERNET AND EMAIL
Internet connection is available at your dormitory and in campus buildings. Bring your laptop to
Japan if you use it regularly. Be aware of how much time you spend on the computer and in your
room. It’s a good idea to set a weekly computer time limit and then stick to it. Most of your free time
should be spent exploring life outside of the virtual world.
PHONES
For safety reasons, you are expected to have a local number and keep your phone charged at all
times. The cost of this has been accounted for in your estimated personal expenses. The School in
Japan organizes a trip to a shop to purchase a cell phone during the orientation week. These are local
cell phones with an inexpensive prepaid service. A cell phone is a vital part of everyone’s life in
Japan.
There are four cell phone service providers, but they offer virtually the same services at the same
rates. Most students end up using Softbank by default because this is the only company in Japan that
offers pre-paid service, which many international students buy, and calls and text messaging between
Softbank accounts are free. All local cell phones can send and receive text messages, receive
international calls, and to add an option to place international calls.
We do not advise you to take your U.S. cell phones to Japan. Unlocking SIM cards is illegal in Japan
(as of Feb. 2016) and the ones that are available offer bad rates.)
Japan is 12-13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Tome depending on the time of year. The time
difference can be checked at: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
For dialing direct to Japan:
011: U.S. International Dialing Code
81: Country code for Japan
Example: 011+ Country code+ local phone number
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COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL IN JAPAN OFFICE
It is of vital importance that the director and staff in Japan always have your current phone number
and home address.
If your cell phone is lost or stolen, it should be immediately reported to the director. In the event of
an emergency, you should do your best to contact the staff abroad to let them know if you are
alright.
When you plan to travel out of Tokyo for weekend or during winter and spring breaks, please inform
the director of your travel plans (dates of your departure and return, destination, phone numbers at
which you can be reached, names of friends that will be traveling with you, etc.)
LOCAL INFORMATION
During the on-site orientation, students will receive an Emergency Card listing emergency
numbers, which they should carry on their person at all times.
In case of emergency, please contact Sanae Eda (Director, School in Japan)
Cell Phone: 090-5307-8771
E-mail: seda@middlebury.edu / seda.jp@i.softbank.ne.jp
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