Summer Programs

Summer Intensive Language Programs

Summer intensive language programs teach a full academic year of language in a six to ten week intensive program. Classes usually meet several hours every day and have daily homework assignments. Many programs combine language study with cultural activities, language tables, and field trips.

For intensive language programs offered during the academic year and for summer programs not exclusively focused on intensive language training, please see the Study in Japan section of this website.

The programs listed below generally teach the equivalent of a full academic year of Japanese as taught at the University of Michigan. All programs are Summer FLAS eligible except as noted.

Programs in the United States

University of Michigan Summer Language Institute (U-M SLI) offers first and second year Japanese. Website: www.lsa.umich.edu/sli/

Middlebury College's Language Schools has a Japanese School for first through fifth year Japanese. Website: www.middlebury.edu/ls/japanese

Programs in Japan

Princeton-in-Ishikawa offers second and third year Japanese in Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecuture. Website: www.princeton.edu/~pii/

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) offers Advanced Japanese and Classical Japanese. Both are appropriate for students who will be at the fourth year level. KCJS is managed by a consortium of universities including the University of Michigan. The consortium office is administered by the Office of Global Programs at Columbia University. Note: Only the Advanced Japanese program is eligible for Summer FLAS; Classical Japanese is NOT eligible for Summer FLAS.

Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC) in Yokohama offers an advanced Japanese program appropriate for students who will be at the fourth/fifth year level. IUC is managed a consortium of universities including the University of Michigan. The consortium office is administered by Stanford University. Website: www.stanford.edu/dept/IUC/

CET Academic Programs offers second, third and fourth year Japanese on the Osaka Gakuin University campus in Hirakata-shi, Osaka. Website: www.cetacademicprograms.com; use the menu at the top and select Programs -> Japan -> Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Studies in Osaka.

International Christian University offers a six-week summer intensive program called Summer Course in Japanese, which offers eight levels of instruction from beginning to advanced. Website: subsite.icu.ac.jp/scj/index.html Note: This program does NOT meet the eligibility requirements for Summer FLAS.

Hokkaido International Foundation offers an eight-week Japanese Language and Japanese Culture Program at the second through fourth year level. All students in this program participate in a homestay with a Japanese family. Website: http://www.hif.or.jp/en/program/ Note: This program does NOT meet the eligibility requirements for Summer FLAS.

Other (Non-Language) Summer Programs

In addition to language programs, a wide variety of specialized programs are available during the summer. Many of these programs focus on topics and areas that are not normally available during the academic year. Programs may or may not include Japanese language instruction. These programs do NOT meet the eligibility criteria for Summer FLAS Fellowships.

Summer Translation Program, Western Michigan University: Four-week program consisting of two courses, Translation Practicum and Theory and Business of Translation. Enrollment is open to all college students; high school teachers, government officials and other professionals who rely on translation or foreign languages as part of their careers; and native speakers who want experience translating to English.
Website: www.wmich.edu/languages/summertranslation
Email: foreign-languages-info@wmich.edu
Phone: (269) 387-6240

Theatre Nohgaku offers short term summer workshops, taught in English, on the Japanese traditional theater Noh. 2012 workshop will be on Noh Costuming.
Website: http://www.theatrenohgaku.org/

Harvard Summer School offers an 8-week program at Doshisha University in Kyoto. Students enroll in two courses, stay with Japanese families, and participate in field trips. Non-credit language instruction by Doshisha staff is offered for students with no previous Japanese language.
Website: http://www.summer.harvard.edu/abroad/japan/

Western Michigan University offers Japanese Religion and Culture Seminar that travels to Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto. Undergraduate academic credit is available.
Website: http://international.wmich.edu/content/view/754/356*299

Funding for Summer Study

Following is a partial list of potential sources of funding for summer study:

Summer Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide full tuition and required fees plus $2,500 stipend for 2nd year level and above. Recipients must enroll in an approved summer intensive language program. Current University of Michigan undergraduate and graduate students who are US citizens/permanent residents and will be studying at the 2nd year level or above may apply. For more information and application, go to the FLAS website at www.ii.umich.edu/flas.
Center for Japanese Studies Summer Fellowships provide up to $5,000 toward a variety of summer projects for graduate students, including enrollment in intensive language study and specialized workshops. Current University of Michigan graduate students are eligible to apply. For more information and application, see the Student Funding section of this website.
Center for Japanese Studies Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarship provides up to $1,500 for summer study abroad programs sponsored by a University of Michigan unit, or in a FLAS-eligible summer intensive language program in Japan. Current University of Michigan undergraduates are eligible to apply. For more information and application, see the Student Funding section of this website.
Many summer programs provide their own merit- and need-based scholarships and financial aid. You will need to apply directly to each program for this type of funding.