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Studying Abroad in Japan

Japanese Studies students are encouraged to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and/or UC San Diego Global Seminars while still making progress towards completing their major or minor.

Please visit the Study Abroad Office website for information on programs, schools in Japan, and scholarship options. Contact the Study Abroad advisor via VAC directly if you have any questions.

Check out this short testimonial Youtube video which UC San Diego students created. 

Transfer Equivalency Criteria for Japanese Studies:


You may use your UCEAP courses for your Japanese Studies major/minor by petition IF

  • they are taken for a letter grade
  • they are upper division 
  • more than 33% (a third) of the courses focus on Japan-related topics

Note:

  • The course credit may be combined to make sense for the UC unit/course count (4 UC units = 1 course)
    Examples: two 3-unit study abroad courses (6 units) = one UC course (4 unit)
                      three 3-unit or two 4.5-unit study abraod courses (9 units) = two UC courses (8units)

  • Students must include supporting documents in their petition. Please save all your course syllabi, exams, papers, and other coursework electronically whenever possible.

Before Going Abroad:

  • Submit your complete Study Abroad Academic Planning Form (APF) as instructed by the Study Abroad Office before the deadline. 

  • Japanese Studies does NOT pre-approve or preview any study abraod courses on your APF. (Your study abroad course petition will be approved as long as they meet the criteria listed above.) All Japanese Studies majors and minors who wish to use their study abroad courses must petition the courses once they become available in their degree audit/academic history.

  • Japanese Studies majors and minors who are considering studying abroad in Japan are recommended to discuss their plans with the Japanese Studies Advisor before going abroad. Contact us via VAC for any questions you may have.

After Returning From Abroad:

  • Complete and submit the UCSD Undergraduate Student Petitions form and other required documents (see How to Petition Courses) once your UCEAP transcripts becomes available in your degree audit and academic history.

  • The Japanese Studies advisor will contact you via the VAC upon approval, and your degree audit will be updated. The whole process takes about 1 to 4 weeks. 

  • It is advised to take the online Japanese placement test (SPOT) as soon as you complete the study abroad program if you wish to continue your Japanese language studies at UC San Diego upon your return.