Curriculum Contents―
Special Programs: Summer Program

Target Learners: This course is for complete beginners or learners who have just started studying Japanese.

Course Content: Students will learn basic vocabulary and expressions frequently used in daily life, as well as fundamental grammar. They will also study Japanese scripts such as hiragana and katakana. The goal is to enable learners to carry out simple interactions in familiar situations, such as greetings, shopping, and ordering at a restaurant.

Textbook: Genki I (Lessons 1–6)

Target Learners: This course is designed for learners who have studied approximately 55 hours of Japanese and have completed beginner-level material (including hiragana, katakana, and the content covered in JPL105). 

Course Content: Students will learn expressions frequently used in daily life and conversation (e.g., want to do~, want~, talking about experiences, giving advice, describing health conditions, etc.). The goal is to enable learners to talk about their family, discuss their plans for holidays, and explain their condition when they are sick.

Textbook: Genki I (Lessons 7–12)

Target Learners: This course is for learners who have studied approximately 110 hours of Japanese and have completed the lower-beginner levels (including the content of JPL105 and JPL125, as well as hiragana and katakana). 

Course Content: Students will learn vocabulary and expressions commonly used in daily conversation, such as talking about ability (can/can’t), hopes, guesses, and future plans. The goal is to help learners engage in conversations in various situations, including looking for a part-time job, exchanging gifts, and planning a trip.

Textbook: Genki II (Lessons 13–17)

A: The placement test consists of an online test and an oral interview. The online test includes grammar questions and reading comprehension. In the oral interview, the instructor will ask questions using beginner-level vocabulary and grammar, and you will respond accordingly.
Participants with no prior Japanese learning experience will be assigned to JPL105 and do not need to take the test.

A: Prior learning is not required, including hiragana and katakana. However, as this is an intensive program, studying them in advance will help you participate more smoothly in grammar practice and cultural activities.

A: No. Although there are three course levels, your course will be assigned based on the placement test results. Students who are learning Japanese for the first time will be placed in JPL105.

A: Please refer to the syllabus for each course.

A: Please refer to the information at the top of the page. Details regarding preparation will be provided to students who are accepted into the program.

A: Many participants study for approximately 2–4 hours every day.

A: At AIU, various types of support are provided mainly through the Active Learning Center. At the Academic Achievement Center, Peer Support Students offer assistance tailored to students’ learning progress and needs.
Also, course instructors are also available for consultation during office hours or by appointment.

A: Transcripts are sent by email to the study abroad office of each home institution in late August. They are not sent directly to students. However, if you need an AIU-issued transcript for purposes such as job applications, you may receive one by submitting a request by the specified deadline. Details on how to apply will be provided during the on-site orientation.

A: No. The check-out day is predetermined, and students can only check-out on the designated check-out day. Students need to be present during the damage check of the room and bedding just before their departure, so students are required to stay until the check-out day. 

Students may select their preferred check-out time on the check-out day. AIU will conduct a survey to confirm the time of departure that students prefer.  

A: Yes, attendance is required.

A: No. All classes and program events are mandatory, and you must participate in the entire schedule.

A: AIU offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs and organizations—including sports, cultural, and community service groups—and Summer Program participants are welcome to join any of them. AIU students and exchange students coming from all over the world can communicate in English smoothly, creating a comfortable environment for participation. A list of available clubs will be shared with you before the program begins. → Club Activities

In addition, various events are held on campus during evenings and weekends (For details of events, please refer to our Instagram). These events may be organized by students, faculty, or administrative offices, but all of them warmly welcome your participation.

To improve your Japanese, make new friends, and make the most of your six-week stay, we encourage you to actively seek out information and take part in different activities and events. 

→ Club Activities 

A: Because this program requires you to complete 6 credits’ worth of coursework in just 6 weeks, the workload is intensive, and attendance at every class is expected. Maintaining good health is essential not only for managing the academic demands but also for making the most of your six-week experience and fully enjoying the program. In fact, good health is one of the keys to success in this program.

The purpose of the Medical Form is to help prospective participants accurately understand their current health status. By doing so, you can take any necessary steps—such as adjusting your health condition in your home country or preparing adequately to stay healthy throughout the program—to ensure that you can spend a healthy and productive six weeks in Akita.

We hope you will use this opportunity as an important step to reassess your health and participate in the best possible condition.

A: The cafeteria provides options for vegan, halal, and allergen-free meals only. If you require special meals, please apply through the special meal request form, thelink for which will be shared to you after you receive your admission notification.

Please make sure to submit the form by the deadline. The cafeteria can only provide special meals once the necessary arrangements have been made, so if you do not meet  the deadline the special meals may not be available immediately unpon arrival.

A:There is no physician stationed at AIU. If students need to visit a hospital, the health office can provide support such as seeking hospitals to visit, but staff cannot accompany them or provide transportation. In such cases, students will need to either bring a friend to interpret or use a translation app during their visit. In Akita, finding medical facilities that offer English support can be difficult. This is especially true for psychiatric or psychosomatic clinics, where receiving care can be very challenging without the ability to communicate directly in Japanese. 

→ Medical Preparation

→ Medical Care & Counseling

A. Accommodation will be in a double room either in Komachi Dormitory or the Global Village, and you will always share the room with a roommate. Room requests cannot be accommodated, and your assigned room will be informed at check-in.

A. Your roommate will be either a regular AIU student or another participant in the same program, and will be assigned by AIU. You cannot choose or request a specific roommate. Roommate information will be provided upon your arrival on campus.

For this program, a survey on lifestyle habits is conducted for all participants, and AIU tries to pair students with similar lifestyles as much as possible.

In principle, room changes are not allowed.

A: No, you cannot. The number of single rooms on campus is very limited. If a single room is required due to illness, disability, or other special circumstances, you must submit a special support request by the application deadline. Please note that requests submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.→ Accessibility Service

A. AIU is surrounded by nature, providing a calm and ideal environment for studying. At the same time, the number and operating hours of public transportation are limited, so some students may find travel somewhat inconvenient.

A bus to AEON Mall Akita operates from campus (as of November 2025, one-way fare is 200 yen), running approximately once an hour. To reach central Akita, the most efficient way is to take the train from Wada Station, the nearest station to AIU, to Akita Station. However, buses to Wada Station run only a few times a day. By transferring at AEON Mall Akita, you can travel more flexibly.

Bus schedules and frequencies vary by semester and day of the week. When planning travel, please check the latest information on the website below and allow plenty of time for your journey.

On the other hand, Akita Airport is about a 10-minute drive from campus, making air travel to distant destinations such as Tokyo or Osaka relatively easy. There is no direct public transportation between Akita Airport and AIU, but the short distance makes taxi travel convenient and relatively inexpensive (approximately 2,000–2,500 yen one way, depending on travel time). Please note that taxis may not be available for last-minute bookings, so it is recommended to reserve one as soon as your schedule is confirmed. → Access

A: Japan has its own traffic signs, rules, and driving customs, and the roads are generally narrower than in many other countries. For those who are not yet familiar with living in Japan, driving can be dangerous. There have been cases of traffic accidents involving international students at AIU.

If an accident occurs, AIU cannot provide any support, including handling the accident, communicating with the other party involved, or dealing with rental car companies. Therefore, even if you hold a driver’s license that is valid in Japan, please refrain from driving. → Things to know about living at AIU, in Akita and Japan

A. There are no scholarships available for this program.

A. Suica can be used on the buses and trains (JR) serving AIU. Suica cards can be purchased at JR East stations within the Suica area, including Shinkansen stops. They can also be purchased at the “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket office at Akita Station. Please be noted that the stations where you can use it are limited in Akita.