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Japanese In-country Program: Kanazawa

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Application forms are now available. (See Applications below)

This information is for the 2008-2009 program.

Overview of the Program



Given the demand for Japanese language graduates with high levels of proficiency, a growing number of students are seeking to attain the highest possible level of proficiency in Japanese whilst doing their degree. To assist students in the achievement of that goal the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics offers an intensive Japanese language course at Levels 5 & 6 and Levels 7 & 8 in Kanazawa.

The courses are offered from late November to late January/early February each year at the Ishikawa Japanese Studies Centre within the Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange , Kanazawa City , Japan . This intensive program is designed to give selected full-time and part-time students in the Level 4 or 6 Japanese course at Monash University (or a comparable course) the opportunity to complete Levels 5 & 6 or Levels 7 & 8 over the Australian summer break. This then allows students to progress to Levels 7 & 8, Levels 9 & 10 or a comparable course upon returning to Australia in February. The program is spread over ten weeks, including one week over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The program is offered on a full-fee-paying (non-HECS) basis, and Monash students will be awarded 12 points credit (one quarter of a full year load).

Kanazawa City is located along the coast off the Japan Sea in Ishikawa Prefecture and is one of Japan's most beautiful cities. With a long history, Kanazawa offers an ideal setting for experiencing the blend of traditional and modern culture in contemporary Japan.

A homestay is arranged for each student in the program. A variety of cultural activities and visits to various institutions are arranged along with a number of other excursions. These are seen as important ingredients which make the program a valuable and stimulating experience.

The number of students selected for the program each year will vary, depending upon the quality of applications. It is expected that approximately 10 students for each course will be sent for the 2008-2009 program.

The program covers a demanding workload, and applicants must be committed to studying very hard whilst in Japan. Note participants are not allowed to work in Japan.

Program Outline

Period: 22nd November 2008 - 31st January 2009

Subject offered: Levels 5 & 6 Japanese, and Levels 7 & 8 Japanese

Institution: Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange, Kanazawa, Japan

Eligibility

The following students are eligible to apply:

  1. All Monash undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled in Japanese 4 (for Japanese 5 & 6 course) or 6 (for the Japanese 7 & 8 course) in the Japanese Studies Program with a result of C (credit) or above for the first semester. Information about the levels can be found in the Monash University Handbook .

  2. Students from other institutions who are currently enrolled in a unit equivalent to Japanese 4 or Japanese 6 offered in the Japanese Studies Program at Monash University.

  3. Other applicants such as teachers or professionals (i.e. businessmen or academics) will be assessed by the Japanese Studies Program for their eligibility.

Selection Criteria

Selection of the students will be based on the following criteria:

  1. past academic performance in Japanese;
  2. past general academic performance;
  3. evidence of self-discipline and high motivation; and
  4. the overall benefit likely to flow to the student in terms of their career and future study plans.
Applicants will be interviewed when necessary.

Fees to Cover the Program in Japan

This course is offered on a full-fee basis, and does not attract HECS. It is subsidised by the Ishikawa Prefectural Government and classes are held in offices made available through the Government's Office for International Cultural Exchange. The fees for the 2008-2009 program are A$4000 for Monash students and A$4600 for non-Monash students, which is considerably below the cost for other similar programs. The fees cover tuition costs, homestays, and some excursions. The final cost will be determined in August and will depend upon the exchange rate at that time.

A scholarship of up to $4,000 will be awarded by the Japanese Studies Program to the top applicant(s) in each of levels 5/6 and 7/8.

All the participants will be required to pay the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics a 30% holding fee by a specific date in September. The remaining 70% will be due in October. Cancellations between these dates will result in forfeiting the 30% deposit, and between a specified date in October and 14th November, a forfeiture of 70% of the total amount. After 17th November, the School will retain the entire program fee unless another student is able to fill the cancellation.

Payment can be made by EFTPOS at the General Office (S423), or by cheque.

Cheques should be made payable to Monash University and addressed to:

Ms. Jocelyne Mohamudally
School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
Building 11, Room S423
Monash University
Clayton 3800.

Ph: (03) 9905 2223

Other Costs

The cost of a return airfare from Melbourne to Japan and related travel costs and insurance etc. will be approximately A$2000 to $2500 including airport tax.

Students will be required to buy textbooks which will cost approximately $100.

Past experience suggests that students will need an additional A$2000-3000 to cover daily lunches, transportation and various incidentals.

Please note that participants are not allowed to work in Japan.

Credit

Monash students, upon successful completion of the course of study, will receive credit for 12 points. Non-Monash students will receive a letter of certification stating that work and material equivalent to the Levels 5 & 6 course or the Levels 7 & 8 course respectively at Monash have been satisfactorily covered. However, it is up to each institution to decide whether they will allow the participant to transfer these credits to the degree they are undertaking there. Students are advised to check with their home institution before enrolment.

Please note that the course to be offered in Kanazawa is only the language component for second-year or third-year Monash students seeking to major in Japanese. In order to complete a major in Japanese, students must enrol in 12 points of electives, in addition to 36 points (3 years) of core language. The additional twelve points may be chosen from elective reading and writing subjects(JPL2752 / JPL3752 and JPL2852 / JPL3852 ) at the appropriate level, or studies subjects. For doing Honours, the normal prerequisite is ASN3071 (Theory and research in Asian studies). Alternatively, double-degree and part-time students may choose to study an extra semester or year of core language subjects in their fourth year of study. Language study abroad subjects may also be used to complete the major.

Monash Abroad Grant

Monash Abroad scholarship funds are available to Monash students to support language study abroad in a country where the language is used on an everyday basis. Applications for this grant will be processed by the school.

Once students are notified that they are successful in their application to study in Kanazawa, they have to pay up all the necessary fees, including purchasing a flight ticket, immediately. As the results for the application for the Monash Abroad scholarships may not be out by then, students will have to make available their own funds to pay for the course fees and airfares in the first instance.

Current Monash Level 4 or 6 students may be able to receive a grant. (Last year's grant was $1000, but this may change for the 2008-2009 program.).

Program Enrolment

It is the students' responsibility to complete all their enrolment before they leave for Kanazawa. Manual enrolment is only available for summer semester.

Students who are unsure of the correct code to use should consult the unit coordinator.

Students not enrolled at Monash must consult their own institution regarding enrolment procedures or application for credit transfer.

Pre-departure Orientation

(Early November, the date and venue will be notified later.)

All selected students must attend on this day.

The program will include:

Applications

The Application Forms for the 2008-2009 program are now available:

Levels 5 & 6 | Levels 7 & 8 (pdf format).

Applications will be accepted from August 2008.

Enquires

Dr Kuniko Yoshimitsu
School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
Building 11
Monash University
Clayton 3800.
E-mail: Kuniko.Yoshimitsu@arts.monash.edu.au
Phone: (03) 9905-2279

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