Kansai Gaidai University

Areas of Study:

Kansai Gaidai offers a wide variety of courses in English through their Asian Studies program for international students:

• Studio Fine Art and Music courses (like ceramics, manga drawing, japanese harp)
• Anthropology,  Art History, Asian Studies, Business (Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, Management, Marketing), Communications and Media,  Disability Studies (including Japanese Sign Language studies), Economics, Film Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, History, International Relations, International Business, Law & Society, Literature,  Philosophy,  Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, Visual Studies. 

[Search courses by Semester] [Review Course Syllabi]

All students are required to take one Japanese language course at their level. Courses on kanji and Japanese culture are also offered. 

Students may apply to add an internship in the summer to the end of their Winter exchange. Applications are competitive for the [Internship program] and happen in while you are in Japan. 

Course Requirements:

1 UCalgary half course equivalent = 3 Kansai Gaidai credits. All students are required to take the mandatory 5 credit Japanese course (provided at your level). All other courses are 3 credits and are at the 3rd and 4th year level. Students may take between 14-20 credits per semester (4-6 courses, including the mandatory Japanese course).

Full-year students may apply to take an independent study in the second semester. They must also meet academic requirements in the first semester to be eligible to stay for the second semester.

The academic year is divided into two semesters.

• Fall Semester runs from early September to late December. 
• Spring Semester runs from late January to late May.

Kansai is our only Japanese partner with study dates compatible with those at UCalgary, so students may choose a Fall semester and still be back to take Winter semester in Calgary!

Please note that full-year studies at Kansai Gaidai may not be guaranteed - students applying for full-year studies will apply to Kansai Gaidai for an extension of stay during the fall semester they arrive, which will be considered on a academic and behavioral basis by Kansai Gaidai. 

Students can choose from a variety of housing options, including homestay, dormitory and off-campus housing.

For the 2018/19 academic year, here are some cost estimates:

Accommodation TypeOne SemesterFull Academic Year

Homestay*320,000 yen640,000 yen

Dorms**230,000 yen460,000 yen

* Homestay includes breakfasts and dinner on weekdays, 3 meals on weekends. 
** Additional Reservation fee of 2000 yen, and Refundable Deposit of 10,000 yen.  

Spring 2018, Kansai opened a brand new international dormitory, "GLOBAL COMMONS 結 -YUI-" which provides a ratio of 1:1 international and local students, is designed to facilitate cross-cultural community and learning. Various events are held each semester to enhance interactions between international and local students to help foster the growth of global citizens. 

Smoking is also prohibited on campus grounds and all university-owned facilities (including athletic fields). 

You can see some updated and additional costs here. 

Kansai also offers an optional Home Visit Program for students that want to visit Japanese families and get acquainted with local aspects of Japanese culture over some weekends. 

Student Experience: "Kansai Gaidai had YUI Global Commons for exchange students. It houses both international and Japanese students with a balanced ratio. The building is new, only a year old. It was clean and almost felt like a hotel. It was very well kept and cleaned. Beside the residences was the cafeteria where fresh, hot food could be bought. The Resident Advisors host events for resident students to get to know each other."

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).

Students with no previous Japanese language are eligible for this exchange.

Kansai Gaidai has specific forms that references need to be submitted on. Two references are required, one of which must be from your Japanese instructor, if applicable. You may approach your professors to ask if they can provide you a reference specifically in February, after you have been accepted by our office. We cannot accept references that do not meet the partner's requirements and/or are on the school specific form.

Important Visa Info: Japanese citizens must travel on their Japanese passport.

What's special about Kansai Gaidai?

For students that want the independence of dorms but still experience cultural immersion with a host family can apply for the Home Visit Program to visit a Japanese family on weekends!

What resources are available for new students?

Kansai Gaidai offers Interaction opportunities with local students, like the Experience Japan Program and Speaking Partner Program.

What supports or services are available at Kansai Gaidai?

Counseling in English is now available on campus. An experienced U.S.-trained and licensed English-speaking counselor is present on campus on Mondays and available on call at other times to help students.