Student Exchange Program
What is the Student Exchange Program?
NITech has a system (Student Exchange Program) in place in which students can go abroad to study while enrolled at our Institute. Not simply for improving language skills, the objective of the Student Exchange Program is for students to take courses or receive research guidance in their field of study.
Student Exchange Program Destinations
Students can study abroad for up to a year at a university that has concluded an International Academic Exchange Agreement with NITech
The universities/institutes marked with ● have signed a memorandum with NITech for waiver of tuition. This memorandum affirms that the student pays tuition at our Institute and is waived from paying tuition at the partner university.
The Minimum Requirements of the Student Exchange Program
Once you start thinking that you’d like to participate in the Student Exchange Program, check to see that you meet the following requirements. You must meet all the requirements in terms of academic ability, language skills and financial resources before your wish to study abroad becomes a reality.
1. Academic Ability
A requirement for studying abroad is that you must have the academic ability to keep up with classes and research at the study abroad destination while maintaining awareness of the responsibility that comes with receiving a recommendation from NITech to act as a representative of our Institute.
2. Language Skills
Do you have the language skills required by the institution abroad? Improving your language skills is a prerequisite to going abroad to study a specialized field in a foreign language.
Take time to prepare for tests such as TOEFL and aim to achieve the necessary test scores.
3. Financial Resources
Do you have the financial resources to ensure that you can focus your efforts on studying at the institution abroad?
Necessary Expenses:
- Return airline ticket
- Rent
- Food costs
- Books and stationary costs
- Medical costs
- Local transportation fees
- University-related costs
- Other miscellaneous costs
Example: You will need a minimum of 2 million yen for studying in Australia for a year (as of June 2013). Make a financial plan before studying abroad and prepare the money you’ll need.
As mentioned above, in order to make your plans to study abroad a reality, keep in mind that it will take a year and a half to a year to prepare for such things as passing English tests or saving up the necessary funds.
Key Points When Deciding on Participating in the Student Exchange Program
1. Decide on your objective for participating in the program
Why do you want to take part in the student exchange program? In which country or at which university do you want to study? Take a moment to think calmly and positively about the answers to these questions. “I just want to go overseas” is not a sufficient enough goal which will make it extremely difficult to maintain the motivation to complete a year-long study abroad program.
2. Using the Experience in the Student Exchange Program to Formulate a Plan for the Future
Studying abroad is not an end goal but an experience that will play a part in shaping your plans for the future. Formulate a plan for the future in which you can use the experience you gained studying abroad to the fullest.
Steps Leading up to Studying Abroad
- Attend the study abroad explanatory meeting
- Collect information and consult with family and supervisors regarding studying abroad
- Decide on the study abroad destination
- Take language tests (To study abroad in an English-speaking country you must pass the TOEFL or IELTS test)
- Consultation regarding approval of credits (If you wish to get your credits approved, please check with your academic advisor or Academic Affairs Division)
- Submit application documents to the International Affairs Division
- Internal selection (Screening of documents and interview)
- Candidate selected for recommendation
- Submit the complete set of admission forms for the destination institution to the International Affairs Division
- Receive acceptance notification from destination institution of choice (Letter of Acceptance).
- The internal selection carried out by NITech is for selecting candidates for the student exchange program. The final decision is made with the arrival of the Letter of Acceptance from the destination institution, or when an official decision is made by our Institute’s Educational Affairs Committee
- Submit the application form for studying abroad
- Deliberation by and approval for studying abroad from the Educational Affairs Committee
- Official acceptance to study abroad; receive Study Abroad Certificate
- Orientation before departure
- Travel procedures
- Departure
- Study abroad period. Submit various reports
- Return to Japan
- Submit documents, etc.
- Copy of passport (Make copies of the necessary sections in passport at the International Affairs Division)
- Report upon return, and report on study results.
- Scores issued by destination institution and research certificate
- Present report at debrief meeting
- Application for credit approval (only when necessary)
Internal Selection
Please submit the following documents before internal selection:
- Academic transcript (Japanese and English)
- Motive for studying abroad and research plan
- Language proficiency certificate (To study abroad in an English-speaking country you must pass the TOEFL or IELTS test)
- Letter of nomination for studying abroad
- Scholarship certificate (Recipients only)
Study Abroad Explanatory Meeting and Debrief Meeting
Explanation will be provided in regard to important points about applying for the student exchange program and the process leading up to studying abroad. You will also get a chance to hear directly about the experience of past exchange program students. Please attend this meeting if you are thinking about participating in the student exchange program. The date of the meeting will be announced via the Student Portal.
Point of Contact for Students Wishing to Participate in the Student Exchange Program
| Place | Building No.19, 2nd Floor, International Affairs Division |
|---|---|
| Hours of operation | 8:40am-5:10pm (Mon-Fri; Closed Sat, Sun and holidays) |
| Telephone No. | +81-52-735-5350 |
| international[at]adm.nitech.ac.jp * Please replace [at] with @ when contacting. |