Study Abroad Programs in Fukuoka, Japan

Fukuwho? You may not have considered study abroad programs in Fukuoka, what with heavy hitters like Tokyo and Kyoto in the mix, but that would be a grave mistake—this city has just as much to offer international students as those bigger cities up north. Fukuoka is a hub for international students, with upwards of 10,000 attending universities in and around Fukuoka each year.

Popular subjects to study. Fukuoka is the economic center of the Kyushu region of Japan, and a few major Japanese companies have headquarters in the city. Studying business here offers plenty of practical advantages (and maybe even job opportunities) so you’ll Kill Bill both your finals and your job search.

Japan is obviously an ideal location to study Japanese or Asian studies, and what’s more, Fukuoka is perfect for those who have absolutely no experience with the language. There are a ton of programs that cater to novice students who know nothing about Japanese other than that it’s something they want to learn!

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs.  Three month programs are by far the most accessible in terms of quantity and cost, but don’t rule out long term programs (like semester or academic year)...after your first few months in Fukuoka, you’ll be wishing you had more time. Pro tip: be mindful of which time of year you choose to study abroad in Fukuoka if you do go short term—typhoons start hammering Japan in August and September, and you’ll be able to see cherry blossoms in late March and early April. 

Attending universities vs. other program types. While there’s a long list of options of universities for international students in Fukuoka, this city doesn’t necessarily have the same notoriety as bigger cities; therefore, a third party program (like the many awesome ones listed here) will probably be easiest when planning to study in Fukuoka. However, students with strong Japanese skills may want to look into applying directly to one of the many universities in Fukuoka! Note: knowing the words to “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto” doesn’t count as strong Japanese skills.