Summary

This social science, English-language program focuses on Japanese perspectives on global studies, international relations, economic development, international security and conflict resolution, and politics and society in Asia. The program is jointly taught by UC and Meiji Gakuin International Studies faculty. It features course-related study trips led by faculty members, including multi-day trips to Hiroshima and/or Kyoto, and an integrative seminar that involves independent research. Japanese language instruction is offered to facilitate students’ integration into the local culture.

Meiji Gakuin’s small, inviting campus is located on a hilltop in a pleasant residential area of Yokohama, part of the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Students attend classes with UC students, international students, and a few host country students.

Duration

Fall semester: early September to late December
Spring semester: early April to late July

Academic Focus

Global studies, international relations, Asian studies, international security and conflict resolution, economic development in Asia, and other social science topics. Graduate students take the same course work as undergraduates.

Program course offerings vary from year to year but typically include:

• Seminar in Global Studies
• Economic Development in East Asia
• Theories of Peace and Conflict
• Politics and Society in Japan
• Japanese Economy
• Information Society
• Gender and Society
• Pacific Island Studies
• The International Court and Conflict
• Japanese Language
• Special course offered by a visiting UC professor

All students are required to take:

• A minimum of 21 UC quarter units in the Global Studies curriculum is required of all students. The number of courses required depends on the number of units of each course; courses are 3 or 6 units each.
• The integrative Seminar is required of all students (AS ST/ECON/POL S 101, Seminar in Global Security and Development, 3 quarter units).
• Additional courses (minimum 18 quarter units) are chosen from those offered by the Program in the particular semester, for a total of at least 21 quarter units.
• Courses taken at the Shirokana campus are in addition to the required minimum of 21 units in the Global Studies curriculum.

Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:

• Subject Area Chart to find general areas of study.
• MyEAP Course Catalog to search for courses previously taken by UC students.
  Additional courses may be available at host institutions or program locations and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
• Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
  • Meiji Gakuin University

With permission of the Study Center Director, you may take a course at the Shirokane campus in Tokyo in addition to the required 21 units of program courses.

Language of Instruction

English

Internships, Research, and Independent Study

Internships and special study for academic credit may be possible in this program. Arrangements are generally made at the Study Center after arrival at the host institution. Predeparture preparation may be required.

Units

You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad; 21 UC quarter units per semester are required.

Housing

Students live in single-occupancy dormitories with UC students. A few students may be placed in homestays with Japanese families.

On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC’s network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of their host country and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Student's Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).

Host Institutions

• Meiji Gakuin University, Yokohama

Meiji Gakuin University, Yokohama

Meiji Gakuin University (known as “Meigaku”) consists of two campuses—one in Totsuka and one in Tokyo—and has a student body of about 10,600 and a tenured faculty of about 250. The Faculty of International Studies organizes the Global Studies Program. (Meiji Gakuin also has faculties of Art History, Economics, General Education, Law, Literature, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work.) The library at the Totsuka campus is supplemented by access to the consortium of area libraries and Meiji Gakuin’s Shirokane campus library, which has a large number of English-language journals and books. You can request materials from these libraries for delivery in a day or two.

Visit the Meiji Gakuin University website

Academic Calendar

Academic calendars will be updated as they become available. Do not make any travel arrangements until the calendar for your academic year is posted.

Estimated Cost

The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.

The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:

• UC fees
• program-specific fees
• room and board
• mandatory insurance
• incidentals
• transportation
• books
• on-site orientation
• predeparture expenses
• intensive language program expenses where applicable

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

• Class level: advanced sophomore (spring only), junior, senior, graduate (undergraduate course work only)
• GPA: 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure. No exceptions.
• Other: Open to social sciences majors with interest in the program’s primary themes.

In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student’s UC degree program
• Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
• Willingness to abide by program regulations
• Endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)

These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection. The final admission decision is made by the host institution.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.

In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.

Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz