Study Abroad Programs in Osaka, Japan

Osaka is host to a large number of Japanese universities as well as study-abroad extension programs which are readily accessible to foreign students. Prestigious schools, such as Osaka University, host a modest number of international students, but classes are primarily taught in Japanese. Students interested in learning Japanese through study abroad in Osaka, should challenge themselves by enrolling in a local university. Those not as familiar with the Japanese language, however, may want to search for a program which connects to a partner institution or international school where courses are taught in English. Study abroad programs in Osaka will often incorporate Japanese language study into the academic curriculum regardless.

Students can study a wide variety of subjects in Osaka. Obviously it is a great place to learn about Japanese culture and history, as well as expand language skills. But beyond this, students who are interested in specific fields, such as engineering, international business, and applied sciences, will find no shortage of world-class academic opportunity in Osaka. Japan is known for its cutting edge technology industry, and Osaka University has been home to quite a few famed scientists and Nobel laureates. The city is also a rich cultural center of Japan, making studying entertainment and performance arts in Osaka a rewarding experience for adventurous individuals who want to be exposed to Japanese tradition in these fields.

Japan’s semester system is a bit offset from most Western universities, meaning that semesters typically run from April to September and October to March. This can cause a bit of a tricky situation for students on the semester system, so be sure to consult with your home university and foreign study-abroad program about the best way to reconcile the scheduling differences. Many study abroad opportunities in Osaka will offer some sort of cultural immersion or intensive language program at the beginning to compensate for semester differences.