Sunday, August 23, 2015

Akita International University

Akita International Universi, or AIU, is a public university located in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2004 and model... thumbnail 1 summary
Akita International Universi, or AIU, is a public university located in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2004 and modeled on American liberal arts colleges, AIU is one of the few universities in Japan offering all of its courses in English. It has currently 157 partner institutions from all over the world.

Its undergraduate program offers bachelor’s degrees in Global Business and Global Studies, and its graduate program offers master’s degrees in Japanese Language Teaching, English Language

Teaching, and Global Communication Practices. The undergraduate program at Akita International University is unique in Japan. All courses are taught in English, with the exception of foreign language classes. Undergraduate students are expected to study overseas for one year of their academic program. Non-native English speaking students are prepared for using English in the classroom through the intensive English for Academic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Campus                                                                                                                                                            Akita International University campus is located in Akita city  the capital of Akita prefecture . The campus is located in a rural environment, but is accessible from downtown Akita city via bus and train and is less than 10 minutes by car from Akita Airport. Adjacent the university is a sports facility run by the local government (basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, and weight training, etc.). A variety of hiking, cycling, and golf courses are adjacent to the campus. A shopping mall is 10 minutes away from the campus by bus.

The new AIU campus is set on the same location as the previous academic entity known as Minnesota State University in Akita (1990-2003) which operated until the small town of Yuwa Machi was absorbed by Akita City. The idea for MSUA derived from Akita Prefecture's lengthy sister-city relationship with the city of St. Cloud, Minnesota.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Student life
Accommodation

One of the campus parks
Akita International University provides a genuine cross-cultural environment for all of its students. Exchange and non degree-seeking international students are guaranteed housing in either the Komachi Dormitory or in the Global Village Apartments. International students usually share a room with a Japanese student.

Clubs and Circles
Clubs and Circles at Akita International University are open to all students, including international students. Clubs include: Kendo, Tennis, Futsal, Table Tennis, Rubber Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Aikido, Hopping Runners, Dance, Breakdancing, Kanto[disambiguation needed], Brass Band, Publishing, Korean, Photography, Choir, Global Campus Talk, Light Music, Ecology & Environment, Japan Taiwan Conference, Volunteer, Service Travel ICC, Shorinji Kempo, Japanese Dancing, Broadcasting, Latin Culture, French, Debate, Sign Language, Igo & Shogi, Piano, Tea Ceremony, Judo, Karate, Football, Drama, Ikebana, Calligraphy, Italian, Mixed Martial Arts, Rugby

Off-Campus Activities
Akita International University offers its international students extra-curricular activities designed to improve their understanding of Japanese culture and people, and to provide community outreach opportunities.

Field Trips
Field trips are organized each semester. Past field trip destinations have included local manufacturing plants, a sake brewery, a natto (sticky fermented beans) factory, museums, various festivals and events, hot springs (onsen), various cultural and sightseeing landmarks throughout Akita Prefecture, and an opportunity to observe local carpenters build thatched-roof huts.

Home Visit Program
International students are invited to participate in the “Home Visit Program,” which is arranged by a local international organization. Students are introduced to volunteer host families and can visit their home during the weekends and holidays.

Meeting the Community
International students have opportunities to interact with local Japanese citizens. They visit elementary schools and junior and senior high schools, where they share their native language and culture. Students are also invited to community events, such as local festivals and cultural events.

Reputation

AIU's Library
In 2011, AIU received a grant for the Re-Inventing Japan Project from MEXT of  the first case for Japanese Public University.


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