Year in Japan
Year in Japan
Action Plan 2014-15
The Year in Japan is a compulsory element of the program. In order to be placed at
Japanese universities for the Year in Japan element of the MA program students going
to Japan must prepare for and attend the following sessions in September. At these
sessions students will be supplied with the necessary information 1) to apply to
Japanese universities that Leiden has an exchange agreement with 2) to apply for The
Sustainable Humanities Scholarship and an array of other scholarships 3) to conduct
compulsory medical examinations required by (some) Japanese universities.
Successful completion of the application process for both the universities and the
grants, and the assembly of the required documentation, is the responsibility of the
student.
List of places at Japanese Universities:
Sophia (3), Rikkyo (2), Kyoto (3), Waseda (2), Doshisha (2), TUFS (2),
Ritsumeikan (1), Kobe (2), Nagasaki (15), Yamagata (2), Tōhoku (2), Risshō (1,
pending).
Any student who does not want to go to Japan must consult their supervisor and then
submit a request to the MA Examinations Committee for exemption. They must show
that they can achieve the required level of Japanese and assemble enough sources to
complete their MA thesis without needing to spend a year in Japan.
Placement
The placement will be based on the evaluation of the grade average and your
Statements of Intent for MA Japan Studies University Placement (to be submitted to
Dr. Ewa Machotka, the Coordinator of Japan Studies Masters Program Year in Japan
by Friday, September 12th by noon to Dr. Machotka via mail:
e.machotka@hum.leidenuniv.nl). You will be informed about your placement shortly.
For the Statement of Intent form, statement writing guidelines and more information
refer to http://hum.leiden.edu/asian-studies/japanese-studies-120-ec/placement-atjapanese-university.html
It is also vital that you carefully check information about study programmes
available for exchange students at the universities of your choice before stating your
preferences in your Statement of Intent. Please keep in mind that Waseda University
requires the highest level of Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N 1), which needs
to be certified (“Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Certificate of Result and
Scores”) and for some other programmes high score of the TOEFL or IELTS test e.g.
the Sophia University requires Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS).
Other universities may have different requirements and it is important that you know
them before stating your preferences. You need to have all required language
proficiency certificates ready by the time you write your Statement of Intent (you
should note it in your letter). For more information please check the universities
webpages. You can also contact your prospective thesis supervisors and ask for
advice.
Please also note that if you are interested in studying at the Kyoto University and
Yamagata University you need to prepare your application earlier. Please contact Mrs.
Eksen as soon as you are informed about the placement.
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Year in Japan
Sessions
1. Information Session “Year in Japan”
Thursday, September 4th, 14-15.00 (Place: Huizinga 25)
2. Introduction Session for MA Asian Studies Programmes
Friday, September 5th (check for more info)
Instructors: Gaye Eksen (application procedures)
Karin Aalderink (scholarships)
Ewa Machotka (university placements)
3. Medical examination
You will be informed about date/time of your medical examination appointment in
due time. It is essential that you bring with you're your ID CARD (or passport) and
required forms (will be distributed in due time). Failing to show up to the
examination ON TIME could put at risk your application as the documentation needs
to be submitted to our Japanese partners on time.
Tuesday, September 23th, 10-13.00
Address: Poortgebouw Zuid, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden
Tel: 071 - 526 3643
Mail: J.M.F.van_Zundert@lumc.nl
LUMC coordinator:
Annemarie van Zundert
Unitcoördinator & Reizigersverpleegkundige
Afdeling Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu (VGM)
van het LUMC en de Universiteit Leiden
Application Submission
Please remember that to submit your application you need to contact the
International Programmes Officer, Mrs. Eksen (studyabroad@sea.leidenuniv.nl )
in advance and follow her instructions regarding the documents submission. If you are
interested in studying at the Kyoto University and Yamagata University please
contact Mrs. Eksen ASAP (as the external application deadline is on 30th of
September and 1st of October respectively).
Group 1 (Kobe, Nagasaki, Ritsumeikan, Sophia, Yamagata, Rikkyo)
before Friday 10th October – Final Version of Applications with all required
documentation (to Mrs. Eksen)
Group 2 (Rikkyo, TUFS, Waseda, Doshisha, Nagasaki, Tōhoku)
before Friday 17 October – Final Version of Applications with all required
documentation (to Mrs. Eksen)
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Year in Japan
Japanese Visa Application
You must obtain a College Student Visa in order to study in Japan. Your visa's term
of validity is the same as the length of your study term in Japan. You will need a
Certificate of Eligibility and a valid passport to apply for your visa at the Japanese
Embassy or consulates in your country. Consult with the Japanese Embassy/Consulate
for application procedures and any supporting documents http://www.nl.embjapan.go.jp/e/consulate/index.html
The Certificate of Eligibility is an official document issued by the Japanese Ministry
of
Justice
(http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/01.html).
University exchange offices in Japan will apply for your Certificate of Eligibility on
your behalf, and send it to you when issued. A special application form will be
included in the application package from your university. You will receive the
documents from Mrs. Eksen. For the sample please refer below.
Scholarship Application
1. Scholarships offered by the Leiden University:
1.1. All students participating the Year in Japan Programme are eligible for the
Sustainable Humanities Scholarship. This scholarship is a contribution towards the
travel costs. Students who spend one academic year abroad or stay in an expensive
country, will also receive a contribution towards the living costs.
http://hum.leiden.edu/internationalisation/grants/sustainable-humanitiesscholarship.html
1.2. The LUSTRA scholarship has been created by Leiden University for students
registered at Leiden University who want to study or do an internship/research at an
institution or in a company outside Europe. However note that if you receive the
Sustainable Humanities Scholarship, you are not allowed to apply for the LUSTRA
scholarship http://www.students.leiden.edu/your-study/studyabroad/funds/scholarships/lustra.html
1.3. You can apply for the Leiden University Fund (LUF) International Study
Fund (LISF) as well. The grant can be applied for by students, recent graduates and
PhD students of Leiden University who have an original plan for a project abroad
(study, research or work placement). Please note that LISF is very competitive grant
scheme.
http://www.students.leiden.edu/your-study/study-abroad/funds/scholarships/luf.html
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Year in Japan
2. Scholarships offered by Japanese government
2.1. JASSO Scholarship
Amount: about 80.000 JPY per month
The availability of JASSO scholarship depends on the host university in Japan. If the
scholarship is available at your university you will be nominated by the Leiden
University to apply for the grant. However, Leiden University can nominate only one
student per host university. The selection will depend on the results of the screening
procedures (based on your earlier study performance) conducted by the coordinator of
the Year in Japan Programme. You will be informed about the application procedures
in due time by Mrs. Eksen. Application forms will be sent to you by your university
or will be downloadable from its webpage. http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html
2.2. MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakushō or Monbushō Scholarship)
Amount: about 144,000 JPY per month
The availability of the MEXT scholarship also depends on the host university in Japan.
Please note that only a few scholarships are offered each year. Your university in
Japan may inform you about this opportunity (via Mrs. Eksen) however, the
nomination of the candidates will be conducted by the MA Japan Studies Programme.
The selection will depend on the results of the screening procedures (based on your
earlier study performance). http://www.mext.go.jp/english/
Note that:
- in case you are granted the JASSO scholarship your Sustainable Humanities
Scholarship will be reduced (50% of the amount of the JASSO scholarship).
- in case you are granted the MEXT scholarship, you will not receive the Sustainable
Humanities Scholarship
Other required documents:
1. Certificate of Enrollment
For your Certificate of Enrollment refer to 'Frontoffice Studentenzaken' van Plexus.
http://plexus.leidenuniv.nl/nieuws/informatiecentrum.html
2. Certificate of Financial Viability
For your Certificate of Financial Viability refer to your bank. It should state that you
have sufficient amount of money to support you during the study period in Japan.
Each university has different requirements so please refer to your university webpage
for more information. Example: the Keio University - “The average cost of living
expense is at least JPY 130,000/month if you live in university-subsidized student
housing.” The certificate must show the expected cost of your stay (in JPY or
equivalent in local currency) per month for the period of stay. For the sample please
refer to below.
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Year in Japan
You can select which financial resources you will provide from four options given
below:
1) Personal Funds
Documentation required: A bank statement or bank letter on official bank letterhead
indicating the type of account, the current balance and type of currency. The student's
name must appear on the bank document.
2) Family Funds
Documentation required:
2.1. A letter of support in English or Japanese signed and dated by a family member
who intends to provide for your expenses. The letter must indicate the amount of
funds to be provided, the duration of the support, and the individual's relationship to
you.
AND
2.2. A bank statement or bank letter on official bank letterhead indicating the type of
account, the current balance and type of currency. The name of the family member
providing support must appear on the bank document.
3) Sponsoring Organization Funds
Documentation required: a letter in English or Japanese from a sponsoring
organization that indicates the amount of funds to be provided and duration of the
award.
4) Loan Funds
Documentation required: Please provide a copy of the approval letter indicating the
amount of the loan.
Note that:
- A copy of your monthly bank statement will not be accepted.
- An authorized Japanese or English translation is required if the text is not written in
Japanese or in English.
- JASSO scholarship cannot be a part of your financial support as it cannot be
confirmed that you will be awarded JASSO scholarship.
- The Sustainable Humanities Scholarship can be included in the calculation. The
Sustainable Humanities Scholarship provisional letter can be used as a part of the
certificate. All students will receive a letter stating the amount of the grant, which
they will receive e.g. for 2013-2014 each student received €1300 + monthly
allowance varying from € 233,- (Fukuoka) to € 557,- (Tokyo). Other grants offered by
the Leiden University cannot be used for the certificate (the screening results will be
announced at later date).
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Year in Japan
More information:
For more information please refer to the attached documents and
http://hum.leiden.edu/asian-studies/japanese-studies-120-ec/placement-at-japaneseuniversity.html
Questions:
Questions regarding application procedures should be directed to Mrs. Gaye Eksen
(studyabroad@sea.leidenuniv.nl )
Questions regarding placement at Japanese universities, medical examinations and
MEXT/JASSO nominations should be directed to Dr. Ewa Machotka
(e.machotka@hum.leidenuniv.nl)
Questions regarding scholarships should be directed to Mrs. Karin Aalderink
(K.A.Aalderink@hum.leidenuniv.nl )
Questions regarding study plans and grade conversion should be directed to Mrs.
Stephanie
Kraakman,
MA
120
Programme
Coordinator
(s.v.kraakman@sea.leidenuniv.nl )
If you need advice on the university selection please contact your prospective thesis
supervisor.
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