The Osaka University Short-term Student Exchange Program (OUSSEP) was launched in the 1996-97 academic year and will begin its eleventh academic year in the fall of 2006. The program was originally designed to give students from overseas, who do not speak Japanese well, or who have not studied Japanese at all, an opportunity to earn the transferable credits at Osaka University for one year. The participants have been offered special academic lectures taught in English. 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 can be transferred to the student's home university according to the provisions included in the pertinent inter-institutional exchange agreement.
Students who come to OUSSEP study in a unique international atmosphere. The students come from many countries of the world. The tenth academic year of the program (OUSSEP 2005-2006) admitted twenty-five students from twenty-two universities in sixteen countries. Asia-Oceania, North America and Europe are almost equally represented among the students. Students come with different cultural backgrounds and various academic majors.
The new program includes three study tracks which enable participants
to study flexibly at Osaka University, with respect to (1) study durations,
(2) expected outcomes and, (3) language used.
Full-year OUSSEP
Osaka University will admit about twenty students who opt to study
in the English speaking program for two semesters (Fall semester of 2006 and
Spring semester of 2007). These students will likely attend the same classes,
join several out-of-classroom activities and develop very close friendships.
Of course, they will also make friends with Japanese students. Students are
expected to broaden their perspectives by studying various subjects outside
the topics studied at their home institutions. Students are expected to earn
at least 13 credits in each semester (26 credits annually), including lectures
in English, independent study and Japanese language class, then transfer them
to their home institutions.
Half-year OUSSEP
This derives from the original annual OUSSEP program (Full-year
OUSSEP). Osaka University will admit students, who opt to join the English speaking
program for one-semester (half-year) only, either in the Fall semester of 2006
or in the Spring semester of 2007. The University will admit, in each semester,
about five of these semester-long participants in OUSSEP. These students are
expected to earn 13 or more credits, including independent study and Japanese
language class, then transfer them to their home institutions.
OUSSEP-AJLs (OUSSEP for Advanced Japanese Learners)
Osaka University introduces a brand-new exchange scheme for advanced
level Japanese learners, in which the participants join intensive Japanese classes
(advanced level 9~11 lectures a week; non-credit) in the Fall semester of 2006,
and pursue their own subjects with Japanese class-mates or laboratory colleagues
in the Spring semester of 2007 (credited). Note that the minimum requirement
of this course is to have passed Level 2 or above of the eJapanese Language
Proficiency Testf. The class size of this program would be limited to five students.
|
Duration |
Lectures |
Credits |
||
OUSSEP (1996~2005) |
September-August |
in English |
O |
|
New OUSSEP (2006~ ) |
Full-year OUSSEP |
September-August |
in English |
O |
Half-year OUSSEP |
September-February April-August |
in English |
O |
|
OUSSEP-AJLs |
September-August |
in Japanese |
X(Intensive Japanese) O(Specialized Subjects) |
|
Regular Short-term Exchange Programs In addition to the OUSSEP program, there are two types
of regular short-term (i.e. less than one academic year) exchange
programs at Osaka University. |
A student who attends OUSSEP is enrolled in one of the undergraduate* or graduate schools** of Osaka University as a Special Auditor*** Student. The International Affairs 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 Student Exchange Promotion Division of the Administration Bureau of the University takes care of administrative matters pertaining to the program.
***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.
| Undergraduate schools* | Graduate schools** | |
| Dentistry | X | X |
| Economics | X | X |
| Engineering | X | X |
| Engineering Science | X | X |
| Human Sciences | X | X |
| Law | X | |
| Law and Politics | X | |
| Letters | X | X |
| Medicine | X | X |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | X | X |
| Science | X | X |
| International Public Policy | X | |
| Language and Culture | X | |
| Information Science and Technology | X | |
| Frontier Biosciences | X | |
| Law (Law School) |
X indicates an institution in which a student may be enrolled.
 |
Toyonaka Branch, International Student Center |
 |
Medical Science Bruildings, Suita Campus |
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. Participants of Full-year OUSSEP and OUSSEP for Advanced Japanese Learners should follow this OUSSEP academic calendar. Half-year OUSSEP participants will join either of these 15-week semesters; September-February or April-August.
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Spring semester schedules can be revised, in accordance with the Osaka Universityfs
2007 academic year calendar, which will be finally approved in mid-2006.
 Meeting with Host Family; September |
 President and a student; September |
 Welcome Bazaar; September |
 General Orientation; September |
 Computer Orientation; September |
 My Country My University Presentation; October |
 Trip to Kibi; October |
 Cherry Blossom Picnic; April |
 Field Trip to Toyota Motors; June |
 Farewell Trip, Koyasan; July |
 Farewell Trip, Koyasan; July |
 Closing Ceremony; August |