1. WHAT IS OUSSEP?

Introduction to Osaka University Short-term Student Exchange Program

The Osaka University Short-term Student Exchange Program (OUSSEP) is designed to give students from overseas who do not speak Japanese well, or who have not studied Japanese at all, an opportunity to study at Osaka University for one year. It offers a special academic program of courses taught in English. Although a growing number of overseas students would like to study in Japan, the language has always been a barrier. OUSSEP was launched in 1996-97 academic year as a way to overcome this barrier and will begin its eighth academic year in fall 2003. OUSSEP has accepted around twenty-five students per year.

Students who come to OUSSEP study in a unique international atmosphere. The students come from many countries of the world. During the seventh academic year OUSSEP admitted thirty-three students from twenty-three universities in fourteen countries. Asia-Oceania, North America and Europe are almost equally represented among the students. Students come with different cultural backgrounds and various academic majors. At Osaka University they attend the same classes, spend a year together as classmates, and develop very close friendships. Of course, they also make friends with the Japanese student population. Students are expected to broaden their perspectives by studying subjects outside the topics studied at their home institutions..

	Class of 2002-2003 at the Suita Campus
	New International Student Center (left), Suita Suita Campus

The University grants credits to the students who attend OUSSEP, for the courses they take at Osaka University, and presents a certificate of completion to the student who successfully completes the requirements of OUSSEP. The credits may be transferred to the student's home university according to the provisions included in the pertinent inter-institutional exchange agreement.

Regular Short-term Exchange Programs

In addition to the English speaking OUSSEP program, there are two types of regular short-term (i.e. less than one academic year) exchange programs at Osaka University.
In the Regular Class Course,overseas students enroll as special auditor students in regular courses taught in Japanese in one of the faculties of the University. In the Regular Research Course, students usually enroll as special research students in one of the graduate schools of the University. Students who are interested in the regular short-term exchange programs should follow the admission procedures explained below.
In the case of student exchange under Inter-University Exchange Agreements, an Osaka University Inter-University Exchange Application Package must be obtained by the student at the international exchange office of student's home institutions. The International Student Division of Osaka University deals with the admission of exchange students, in cooperation with its counterparts in partner institutions. In the case of exchange under Inter-Faculty Exchange Agreements, contact should be made through the pertinent office of the faculty of the student's home institution and the individual faculty or graduate school of Osaka University. Contact information may be found at the following web site:

<http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/index.html>

Profile of Osaka University

Coordination and Administration

A student who attends OUSSEP is enrolled in one of the undergraduate* or graduate schools** of Osaka University as a Special Auditor***. The International Student Committee, which is made up of faculty members representing a variety of University institutions, is responsible for the management of OUSSEP. The International Student Center (ISC) is in charge of coordinating the program and takes care of the students in collaboration with the institutions. Two faculty members, who belong to the ISC, are appointed as the OUSSEP coordinators. They are responsible for the actual day-to-day operation of the program. The International Student Division of the Administration Bureau of the University takes care of administarative matters pertaining to the program.

	Undergraduate schools^*	Graduate schools^**
Dentistry	X	X
Economics	X	X
Engineering	X	X
Engineering Science	X	X
Human Sciences	X	X
Law	X	X
Letters	X	X
Medicine	X	X
Pharmaceutical Sciences	X	X
Science	X	X
Language and Culture		X
International Public Policy		X
Information Science and Technology		X
Frontier Biosciences		X

^***A "Special Auditor" refers to an exchange student who attends classes and is graded on course work, exams, etc. but does not pursue a degree.

	Toyonaka Branch, International Student Center
	Toyonaka Campus

Academic Calendar

The academic year for regular educational programs in most Japanese universities, including Osaka University, begins in April and ends in March. However, the OUSSEP year, which is divided into two 15-week semesters, runs from late September until early August of the following year.

We may consider accepting a limited number of students in April as well. Some students from Oceanian universities join OUSSEP in April and remain in the program until the following February. Please contact us for details.

*Academic Year: OUSSEP 2003-2004*

	September 25, 2003	Students arrive at Osaka.
	September 26-October 3, 2003	Orientation and opening ceremony

Fall-Winter Semester:
	October 7, 2003	Classes start.
	December 25, 2003-January 7, 2004	Year end / New Year break
	February 23, 2004	Classes end.

	February 24-April 4, 2004	Spring Break

Spring-Summer Semester:
	April 5, 2004	Classes start.
	July 23, 2004	Classes end.
	August 2, 2004	Closing ceremony

Year at OUSSEP

Meeting with host families, September	Opening Ceremony, September
General Orientation by the OUSSEP coordinators, September	Computer Orientation at the Cybermedia Center, September
Campus Tour at the Toyonaka Campus, September	Library Orientation at the Main Library, September
OUSSEP Presentation "My Country & My University", October	OUSSEP Class with Japanese students, October
The Spring Semester starts in early April	The Final Presentation in Japanese language, July
Closing Ceremony, August	"Sayonara!!" at the Farewell Party, August

[Contents] [Prev] [Next]