Summer 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 supplement language study with cultural activities, language tables, and field trips.

For students who plan to continue studying Japanese at U-M following the summer program, it is important to select a summer program that covers the equivalent of one academic year of instruction at U-M.  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.  Courses are taught by regular U-M language instructors.  In addition to the regular summer half-term registration for U-M academic credit, a Program Fee option is available for those who do not need to take the course for academic credit.

Middlebury College's Language Schools has a Japanese School for first through fifth year Japanese.

Programs in Japan

Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) for Intensive Summer Institutes is a combination intensive summer language program that comes with full funding if you are accepted.  This program, administered by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, offers group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment activities overseas each summer.  Programs at the intermediate and advanced language levels are available in Japanese.  The scholarship covers travel, pre-departure orientation, applicable visa fees, room, board, group-based intensive language instruction, program-sponsored travel within country, and all entrance fees to CLS Program cultural enrichment activities.  All applicants must be US citizens.  Applicants must be enrolled in a US degree granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level (graduating seniors are eligible as long they are enrolled as an undergraduate student at the time of application).  Applicants must have completed at least one year of university level study by the beginning of the summer institute.  Note: This program is NOT eligible for Summer FLAS.

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) offers 2nd year, 3rd year, and Advanced (4th/5th year) modern Japanese and Classical Japanese.  Intermediate Japanese requires at least one year college-level Japanese prior to enrollment.  Advanced Japanese and Classical Japanese both require three years of college-level Japanese prior to enrollment.  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.  Students interested in the KCJS summer programs apply through Columbia University.  Note: Classical Japanese is NOT eligible for Summer FLAS; Second Year program NOT recommended for students who need 4^th term proficiency by placement test or who plan to continue in 3^rd Year at U-M following this program.

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 as well as a 3-week intensive course on kambun for students with advanced proficiency in modern Japanese and basic knowledge of classical Japanese grammar.  IUC is managed a consortium of universities including the University of Michigan.  The consortium office is administered by Stanford University.  Note: the intensive kambun 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 and keep a Japanese language only pledge.  Note: This program meets the Summer FLAS eligibility requirements for 3rd and 4th year only.

Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU), located in Hikone-shi, Shiga Prefecture, offers 9-week summer intensive programs at four levels from beginning (1st year) to advanced (4th year).  JCMU is managed by a consortium of Michigan public universities of which U-M is a part; the consortium administrative offices are located at Michigan State University.  Important Note: Students interested in the summer program apply directly to JCMU, not through CGIS.  Note: This program meets Summer FLAS eligibility requirements for 3rd and 4th year only.  Not recommended for 3rd year for students who need 6th term proficiency by placement test or for students who plan to continue in 4th year at UM following this program.

Princeton-in-Ishikawa offers second and third year Japanese in Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecuture. The program is administered by Princeton University. Note: This program meets the eligibility requirements for Summer FLAS for 3rd year level ONLY.

CET Academic Programs offers second, third and fourth year Japanese on the Osaka Gakuin University campus in Hirakata-shi, Osaka.  Use the menu at the top and select Programs -> Japan -> Intensive Japanese Language and Culture Studies in Osaka.  Note: Not recommended for students who need 6th term proficiency by placement test or who plan to continue in 4th year at UM following this program.

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. Note: This program does NOT meet the eligibility requirements for Summer FLAS.

Specialized Programs for Classical Japanese, Cursive Writing (kuzushiji) and Kambun

Short term workshops and intensive programs for specialized training in classical Japanese, reading kuzushiji (cursive brush writing), reading kambun (Chinese writing) and reading komonjo (historical documents) are often offered during the summer.  Many of these workshops are a week to three weeks long and rotate sites among several universities.  Watch for announcements in late winter term.  Note: These workshops are do not meet the eligibility requirements for Summer FLAS.  Rackham students may use the Graduate Student Research Grant for this type of workshop and may also apply for the CJS Summer Fellowship or CJS Short Term Travel Grant.

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) offers a 6-week summer intensive program in classical Japanese for those who have advanced proficiency in modern Japanese.

Inter-university Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC) in Yokohama offers a 3-week intensive kambun program for those who have advanced proficiency in modern Japanese and a basic knowledge of classical Japanese grammar.

Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge offers the Graduate Summer School in Japanese Early-Modern Paleography, a three-week program of wabun in cursive (kuzushiji and hentaigana), kanbun in non-cursive and sōrōbun in cursive. Students are expected to have advanced knowledge of modern Japanese as well as a solid knowledge of classical Japanese.

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.

Programs in Japan

Kyushu University offers Asia in Today's World, a 6-week program that combines Asian Studies courses taught in English with intensive Japanese language courses at the beginning and intermediate levels (1st and 2nd year).  Note: This program does NOT meet Summer FLAS eligibility requirements.

Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) is a consortium of Michigan's public universities of which U-M is a member.  JCMU is administered through Michigan State University and has a campus in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.  JCMU offers a summer internship program as well as a number of May and Summer programs focused on a variety of topics, such as Japanese politics, comparative health care, environment, tourism, religion, and digital video/photography.  Application deadlines and requirements for participation vary by program; see program website for more information.

University of Tokyo's School of Frontier Sciences offers a summer program for undergraduates in humanities and sciences completing their junior or senior year and are considering enrolling in a graduate program at a Japanese university.  Students participate in common lectures and Japanese language classes for the first week and are assigned to a faculty research group for the remainder of the program.  Students work on an independent research project in the research group.  Scholarships for living expenses and airfare are available.

University of Tokyo's Interfaculty Initiatives in Information Science offers a two week program focusing on Japanese popular culture under the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation Media-Content Research Project.  2014 theme is "media mix".  Program is taught in English though some Japanese proficiency is helpful.  Both undergraduates and graduate students are eligible.  Support for travel expenses and housing available.

Theatre Nohgaku offers short term summer workshops, taught in English, on the Japanese traditional theater Noh.  Three workshops in US and Japan are planned for 2014; see website for dates, topics, location, cost, and other information.

Traditional Theatre Training (TTT) offers summer intensive program in Kyoto on noh (Kanze school), kyogen (Okura school) and nihon buyo classical Japanese dance (Wakayagi school) through the Kyoto Arts Center. Website (Japanese)

Harvard Summer School offers an 8-week program at Doshisha University in Kyoto.  Students enroll in two courses (course topics vary from year to year), 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.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have completed one year of college.

Western Michigan University offers Japanese Religion and Culture Seminar that travels to Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto.  Undergraduate academic credit is available.

Programs in the United States

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.

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.
• 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 $5,000 for summer study abroad programs sponsored by a University of Michigan unit, or in a FLAS-eligible summer intensive language programs in Japan and the United States, including virtual programs.  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.
• In some instances, you may be able to use need-based financial aid administered through U-M Office of Financial Aid (OFA) for a summer program.  Contact a Financial Aid Officer at OFA for more information.