1.OUSSEP Students

The Osaka University Short-term Student Exchange Program (OUSSEP) was launched in the 1996-97 academic year at Osaka University as an English speaking exchange program for those who have difficulties earning credits in Japanese. In this OUSSEP scheme, the participants have been offered special academic lectures taught in English under the close coordination of the Center for International Education and Exchange (hereafter referred to as the CIEE).

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 students who successfully meet the program requirements. The credits can be transferred to the student's home university according to the provisions included in the pertinent inter-institutional exchange agreement.

The Osaka University English speaking program will admit more than forty students who opt to study a variety of subjects such as medical sciences, natural sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences, arts and foreign studies. Students who participate in these programs will likely attend the same classes, join several extracurricular activities together and develop very close friendships amongst themselves. Needless to say, they will also make friends with Japanese students. Students are expected to earn at least 14 credits in each semester (28 credits annually), from lectures in English, Independent Study and Japanese language classes, then transfer the credits to their home institutions.

Students who enroll in OUSSEP are from a variety of countries around the world and study in a unique international environment. They come with different cultural backgrounds and various academic majors. In the eighteenth academic year of the program (Fall semester of OUSSEP 2013-2014) sixty four students were admitted from thirty eight universities in nineteen countries. Asia, Oceania, North America, Latin America and Europe were represented among the students. Students have a choice of participating in the program for two semesters (Full-year OUSSEP) or one semester only (Half-year OUSSEP). Although the regular OUSSEP semester starts at the end of September, if necessary, OUSSEP accepts a certain number of the enrollments in April. In so doing, this allows participants the flexibility of choosing the best duration and period for their studies at Osaka University.

2.Structure of the Program

The International Exchange subjects are offered by a variety of faculties, which are designed for mainly 3rd year undergraduate students. OUSSEP coordinators of the CIEE are in charge of the arrangements / coordination of the subjects.

i) International Exchange Subjects

In this English speaking program, the University tries to equalize the number of students majoring in the fields of the physical sciences including engineering and health sciences, and humanities and the social sciences. Students may select their courses according to their major and interests. At the same time, students are encouraged to take courses outside their own major as this will help them to broaden their perspective and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of Japanese society and culture. All participants are expected to earn at least 14 credits from International Exchange Subjects per semester.

ii) Independent Study

One of the unique features of the Full-year and Half-year OUSSEP programs is the Independent Study aspect (2 credits per semester). Students can propose a study topic and are then assigned to a supervising professor in an appropriate faculty. A student may wish to study a particular subject that is not found in the International Exchange Subjects (Individual Study) or to conduct a research project on a particular theme (Independent Research). The student and their supervising professor will agree upon the scope and depth of the study at the beginning of the program.* With respect to Full-year OUSSEP students, the study usually continues for two semesters. At the end of each semester the student will submit a report on his/her topic to the supervising professor. Refer to the "Guide to Independent Study" found at the OUSSEP Website for further details. Those who wish to undertake Independent Study must fill out the Independent Study Proposal along with the other application documents.

*When the amount of work required for the study is particularly large, the supervising professor and the International Affairs Committee may decide to grant up to 4 credits for graduate students instead of 2 credits per semester for Independent Study. Refer to the "Guide to Independent Study" for details.

iii) CIEE Japanese Language Course

In addition to the aforementioned courses, OUSSEP students may take any of the four levels of Japanese courses (4 credits each semester), according to their proficiency level. Students must take a placement test following which, Japanese language classes will take place three times a week.

3.Advisers, Supervisors and Course Instructors

We will assign each student to an Adviser at the faculty he/she belongs to. The Adviser will give the student some advice necessary for his/her study and life.

Students in the Independent Study course may submit a proposal for the study. The students will then be assigned a Supervisor to oversee their study at an appropriate faculty. The Adviser / Supervisor will in most cases be the same person.

Faculty members belonging to various faculties or to the CIEE will teach the courses of the International Exchange Subjects.

*Refer to "Guide to Independent Study" for more detailed information about the Independent Study course.

4.Registration

All the courses offered for Full-/Half-year OUSSEP including the Japanese language and Independent Study are electives.

Students select and register for the courses of their choice at the beginning of each semester. The minimum requirement in each semester for satisfactory completion of the OUSSEP program is 14 credits. The International Affairs Committee of Osaka University will award Certificates of Completion to those students who have successfully completed the Full-year OUSSEP. As for Half-year OUSSEP students, the participants will receive a (Half-year) Certificate of Completion issued by the International Affairs Committee if they take more than 14 credits during the semester.

Besides the International Exchange Subjects, Independent study and CIEE Japanese Language, the University will count two of the Osaka University's regular credits towards the completion of OUSSEP.

5.Grades, Credits, and Transfer of Credits

Students will be graded on the basis of class participation, examinations, reports, etc. Upon successful completion of the courses, the faculty to which the student belongs, will award the credits. Osaka University will issue an Academic Transcript to the student's home university. If the overall results satisfy the requirement of OUSSEP, the International Student Committee of Osaka University will issue a Certificate of Completion. Transfer of OUSSEP credits is up to the discretion of the student's home university.

6.OUSSEP Assembly

OUSSEP Assembly meets a few times a month for about 30 minutes at the CIEE. All the OUSSEP students must attend it. At these meetings OUSSEP coordinator will give them information and materials necessary in facilitating their stay. The Assembly serves as an opportunity for exchange of information between the students and the staff and among the students themselves. CIEE staff will be pleased to give them advice or counseling as needed.

7.Opportunities to Learn Japanese

It is important for them to try to socialize with Japanese students as well as the people in the local community. The staff at the Information Room for International Students (IRIS) on the 2nd floor of the CIEE will be pleased to assist international students in finding such opportunities. IRIS is also prepared to introduce each student to a host family, if they so wish.

8.International Exchange Activities & Field Trips

• In addition to the academic programs, students are encouraged to participate in various international exchange activities throughout the year, which the CIEE organizes. Other groups including those within the University (such as the student-organized international exchange group of Brothers and Sisters Program (BSP)), as well as those in neighboring communities, also participate in these programs. One example of a neighboring community group is the Osaka University Host Family Program (OHP), which is coordinated by the CIEE and provides international students with an opportunity to closely interact with a local Japanese family living nearby the university.
• The OUSSEP program offers field trips for students in order to give them opportunities to see as many things and to meet as many people as possible during their full-year or half-year stay in Japan. They visit industries and public institutions as a part of the academic courses and also go on trips, including overnight trips, to different parts of the country to meet local people and experience local cultures.

9.Miscellaneous

All OUSSEP students should routinely check the bulletin boards at the following locations.

• Center for International Education and Exchange(CIEE) (Suita Campus)

We will post, on these boards, information for OUSSEP students, including any changes to the class schedule.
In addition, some necessary information will be shared through OUSSEP mailing list.
Please regularly check any email sent by the OUSSEP coordinators.

OUSSEP students should strictly observe "No Food, No Beverage and No Smoking" in all the classrooms. Whenever they rearrange the desks and chairs in the rooms during the classes, they must not forget to return them to the original positions before they leave the rooms.

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