Kobe University, Japan

KOBE UNIVERSITY
JAPAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Scenic picture of Florence Italy.
PROGRAM DATES & ELIGIBILITY

FALL SEMESTER DATES: Mid-September– early February

SPRING SEMESTER DATES: March – late August

*Kobe University’s semesters are separated into two quarters.  See here for more information.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

CLASSES & CREDITS

Course-load: 12 credits—MANDATORY! 

Students are guaranteed elective credits. You may receive major electives upon consulting with your department. 

Number of Classes: 6-8 

Courses at Kobe are often 2 credits.  Language classes are 1 credit, and sometimes no credits. Therefore, students must enroll in enough classes that add up to 12 credits. 

Students MUST choose one of the following faculties abroad (faculty = major/department): 

-Faculty of Global Human Sciences 

-Faculty of Economics

You may take classes from other faculties as long as they are open and your language abilities do not restrict you from doing so. 

Types of Courses:

It is recommended that students take Elective Credits. 

    —> Courses HERE

 

NOTE ON TERMS & QUARTERS

Term I = Spring Semester 

Term II = Fall Semester

Kobe University has a quarter/semester system.  Each semester is divided into 2 quarters.  Your class may be for one quarter or for the full semester.

  • Patterns i and ii are “quarter classes”, and pattern iii takes the “semester class” format. Please see the syllabus for further information about each class.
    • i ) 1 class per week for 8 weeks (including examination days)
    • ii ) 2 classes per week for 8 weeks (including examination days)
    • iii ) 1 class per week for 16 weeks (including examination days)

You will not know exactly which courses you will be taking until you are in Japan, but you will have to write which courses you would like to take on the Kobe Application.

 

 

Japanese Language Courses (link here)

Japanese Language

Japanese Culture

-East Asian Studies 

 

Global Human Sciences Program (2025 Global Human Science courses here)

 

Global Cultures

  • Global Cultural Formation
  • Global Social Dynamics
  • Global Communication

 

 

Human Development and Community

  • Social Empowerment
  • Psychology
  • Active Life
  • Music Communication
  • Art Communication

 

 

Environment and Sustainability

  • Natural Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Human Life Sciences
  • Social Sciences

 

Child Education

  • School Education
  • Early Childhood Education

 

 

 

Economics Program (2025 Economics Courses here)

  • Economic Theory
  • Economic History
  • Econometrics and Related Studies
  • Technological and Environmental Analysis
  • Industrial and Social Policy
  • Monetary and Social Policy
  • International Economics: Theory and Policy
  • Comparative Economic Systems and Policy
HOUSING

Dorms 

See HERE for more detailed information.

**Students are responsible for researching housing options, prices and housing application deadlines on their own**

ESTIMATED TOTAL COST WITHOUT TUITION

~$7,000+/SEMESTER   +    CUNY Tuition

 

Email bzahran@qc.cuny.edu for a breakdown of these costs.

HOW TO APPLY & DEADLINE

SPRING 2026 PRIMARY INTEREST FORM DEADLINE:

Friday, September 5th 

 

Exceptions:

  • Nanzan: Friday, August 8th
  • CUNY-Italy: October 1st
  • CUNY-Paris Exchange: October 15th
  • Sorrento Semester Program: Deadline Coming Soon…

 

-After researching your program of interest, do the following. 

-You can only apply to one program (you can list your 2nd and 3rd choices).

NOTE: Program availability depends on exchange balances.  Programs are first-come, first-served, and some programs have a limited number of spots.

 

APPLICATION STEPS:

QUICK VIEW: (Order of 3-6 subject to change)

1. Primary Interest Google Form

2. Confirmation of Interest Google Form

3. Queens College Commitment Paperwork

4. Interview

5. Nomination to Host University

6. Host Campus Application

7. Visa Process

(Other CUNY students: ePermit Process)

 

DETAILED STEPS:

STEP 1: Primary Interest Form (linked here)

To express an interest in one of our Queens College Semester Programs, fill out Primary Interest Form by deadline above.

 

 

STEP 2: Confirmation of Interest Form

This form is first-come, first-served, and confirms that you would definitely like to study abroad.

(Will be sent to those who complete the Primary Interest Google Form the week after the Primary Interest Form Deadline)

 

 

STEP 3: Queens College Commitment Paperwork 

-Sent to those who complete the Confirmation of Interest Google Form

-You will be emailed a PDF with Commitment Paperwork; it is basically an application with basic information.

-Gather the necessary documents and then email your completed paperwork back to us by the deadline.

 

STEP 4: Interview

Every student participating in a Queens College Semester Program will be interviewed by Blanche.

 

STEP 5: Nomination to Host University

We will nominate your to your program of interest.  Once our partner university confirms your nomination, you will receive an email with “Next Steps.”

 

 

STEP 6: Host Campus Application

-Each of our partner universities have their own application processes.  You will be emailed information about this.

-Submit this application by our Queens College deadline (which is earlier than our partner’s deadline)

 

 

STEP 7: Visa Process

-After you are officially accepted to your semester program, you will be emailed information regarding the visa process for that country

-Follow all of the steps carefully and apply for a visa ASAP

 

OTHER CUNY STUDENTS: ePermit Process

-If you are a student at another CUNY campus who is participating in one of our Queens College Exchange Programs, you will have to apply for an ePermit so that your study abroad classes and credits will be transferred back to your home college.

-You must inform your home campus that you will be participating in a Queens College Program ASAP, as they have paperwork that you must fill out with them.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT COMMITMENT PAPERWORK:

Physician’s Statement:

Make sure that there is a Doctor’s Stamp on it.

Your doctor can fax this to us: 718-997-5055 (FAX)

Health Care Proxy: If something were to happen to you, who would you want to make medical decisions on your behalf?

The witness on the bottom of the page should not be this person.

Passport: Should be valid until at least 6 months after the end date of your program.

Renew your passport right away if it is expired or will expire!

FINANCIAL AID

Yes, in general, tuition may be covered, depending on your package.  For exchange programs, students pay CUNY tuition, so it is as if you are still at Queens College.

 

You must submit a Course Approval Form to the Financial Aid Office.

   —> Information on Course Approval Forms can be found HERE.

 

See our “Financial Aid for Study Abroad” Page HERE for more details.

SCHOLARSHIPS

-Kobe Scholarships HERE

-Inquire about the JASSO Scholarship & MEXT Scholarship

-See our Scholarships Page HERE

Look for:

-Queens College Internal Scholarships

-Gillman Scholarship

-Freeman Asia

-Bridging Scholarships from the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ)

TRANSFERRING CREDITS

In order for your credits to be transferred, you must fill out a Course Approval Form.

 

See our “How to Transfer Study Abroad Credits” Page HERE for more information.

KOBE UNIVERSITY LINKS

Kobe University Exchange Website HERE

Link to Courses HERE

Housing Link HERE

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GRADUATION

If your semester abroad is your last semester of college, you will not be able to graduate until one semester later.

 

For example, if you study abroad in the Fall, you will not be able to graduate until the Spring because it takes us a while to receive your transcript.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I take Major/Minor Classes Abroad?

It is highly recommended that you take Elective Credits abroad, since you will not know exactly which classes you will take until you are abroad.

 

 

It may be possible to take Major/Minor credits abroad if those classes are offered abroad and if your department approves of those classes on a Course Approval Form.  It is up to your Major/Minor Department’s discretion.

 

 

2. Can I take General Education classes abroad?

You will have to ask Advising about this.

PODCAST EPISODES
We have a podcast called “Study Abroad Stories.”

 

See our Podcast Page and look under “Japan.”

How to Apply

Deadlines

Scholarships

Study Abroad Office

King Hall, Room 203

Queens College, CUNY

65-30 Kissena Blvd. Flushing, New York 11367-1597

718-997-5050

718-997-5055 (FAX)

Email: studyabroad@qc.cuny.edu