Study Abroad in Fukuoka, Japan

Located in Fukuoka, spend a semester or a year in the heart of this vibrant diverse port city. Campus is walking distance from the beach, several large temples, the Softbank Hawks Baseball Dome, and has a subway stop next to campus, giving students easy access to the whole city.

Founded in 1949 as a Baptist Christian university, most of their university partners are also smaller faith-based institutions and they offer services on Sundays.


Quick Facts

  • Language of Instruction: English

  • Host University: Seinan Gakuin University

  • Semesters Available: Fall, Spring, Full Year

  • Semester Duration: 4 months

  • Recommended Credits: 12 - 15

  • Application Requirements: GPA 3.0

Program Highlights

  • Support from pre-departure through return. Learn about how we support you and help you get ready.

  • Visa-Free: No visa is required for this 12 weeks intensive semester.

  • Explore Fukuoka, the largest city on the island of Kyushu, known for their cuisine, gardens, fashion.

  • Study at Seinan Gakuin University in downtown Fukuoka.

  • A 3 day orientation at a Ryokan with a view of Mt. Fuji with EdOdyssey.

  • All international students get a Japanese buddy.

  • Regional day trip excursions to experience various aspects of Japanese culture.

  • A weekend excursion to Mount Koya.


Student Experience

Life in Fukuoka

Fukuoka, a vibrant city in Japan, offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Life in Fukuoka is often described as lively and comfortable, with a distinct local culture. Here are some aspects:

Culture and Tradition: Fukuoka embraces its rich cultural heritage. Visitors and residents can experience traditional Japanese arts like tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arranging), and various festivals throughout the year, such as Hakata Dontaku, a lively festival with traditional music and dance.

Cuisine: Food is a significant part of life in Fukuoka. The city is famous for its delicious food, particularly tonkotsu ramen, a rich pork-based noodle soup. There's also fresh seafood due to its coastal location. Yatai (street food stalls) are popular, offering a casual and tasty dining experience.

Cityscape: Fukuoka seamlessly integrates modernity with nature. Skyscrapers coexist with serene parks and gardens. The city is well-planned and relatively compact, making it convenient to navigate.

Quality of Life: Fukuoka offers a high quality of life. Its efficient public transportation system, including subways and buses, makes commuting easy. The city is known for its safety, cleanliness, and friendliness.

Overall, Fukuoka offers a balanced lifestyle, blending modern amenities with cultural richness, making it an attractive place to live for both locals and expatriates.

  • Students can choose between two housing options:

    • Dormitories (on campus)

    • Apartments (off campus)

    Student dorms are set up in suites with private rooms that connect to a shared recreation and kitchen space.

  • Not generic bus tours, these are documentary-worthy experiences that you’ll remember for years to come created by us, especially for you, our students. While Fukuoka will be your home in Japan, there’s more to discover! The best part is that these learning excursions are included in your study abroad experience!

  • The top priority while studying abroad in Fukuoka is to help keep you happy, healthy, and safe — whether that’s finding a local English-speaking specialist or therapist, preparing to navigate a food sensitivity, or understanding any potential challenges for your identity to help you stay safe. We know each of us is unique, and for those times you may feel overwhelmed by what’s going on around you, we will be there for you.

    Click here for more information about health and safety at EdOdyssey.


Pre-Departure Education, On-Site Orientation and Re-Entry Support

 

PRE-DEPARTURE EDUCATION & PREP

Once accepted, we start working with you 1-on-1 to prepare for your arrival and help you pre-approve all your courses. You’ll have access to our study abroad student portal full of cultural resources, student handbook, important dates, and health & safety information. Plus,

  • WELCOME MEETING: Several weeks before you travel abroad, your Program Director in Japan will schedule a video call with you to review important points related to your upcoming semester in Fukuoka. Most importantly, we’ll answer all your questions. Then, when you arrive, we’ll be waiting for you at the airport!

COMPREHENSIVE ORIENTATIONS

  • ON-SITE PROGRAM ORIENTATION + HEALTH & SAFETY: Upon arrival, we’ll review all the most important details, like Health & Safety. We’ll review expectations and specifics about life in Japan, and share resources and tips to get you acquainted with local norms and culture.

  • ACADEMIC ORIENTATION:  In addition to your program orientation with EdOdyssey, you’ll also meet with the academic staff at Seinan Gakuin University to review other important details and get acquainted with campus.

RE-ENTRY SUPPORT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

It’s true, studying abroad can be hugely beneficial for your future. During your time abroad in Fukuoka, we help tailor your experience to your future goals, and upon return, coach you on how to highlight your study abroad on your resume, portfolio, or application.


Study Abroad Team in Japan

When you study abroad in Fukuoka with EdOdyssey, you’re part of a small cohort. Our team takes the time to get to know you personally. Meet some of your study abroad team for our Fukuoka program:

Sarah Reid, Director of Program Operations

Sarah Reid is our resident Japan expert and site director. She studied abroad in Fukuoka on exchange as an undergraduate student, after which she taught English through the JET program for a few years in Akita. She completed her Masters degree research thesis in Shiga, Japan and is excited to welcome students to the country so that they can experience its rich culture.



Academics & Learning
 

Seinan Gakuin University

Course Language: Our partner institutions offer a set of courses in English specifically for international students and Japanese students with high enough language proficiency.

Enrollment: Students take 1 class of Japanese language and 3 classes in any other subjects they are interested in taking.

  • Japanese Language

  • Literature

  • History

  • Psychology

  • Japanese Culture

  • Traditional Japanese sports

  • Cinema & Anime

  • Sociology

  • Political Science

*Credits: Your EdOdyssey study abroad advisor will work with you to select and pre-approve your courses for easy transfer to your home university. If applicable, we’ll even help you “petition” if this program is not yet pre-approved.

 


Dates, Costs & Apply
 

Program Dates

Academic Calendar: Fall and Spring at our partner institutions are the same as a typical American schedule with fall taking place September - December and spring taking place January - May.

Here are the important dates and costs for our study abroad program in Fukuoka, Japan.

FALL SEMESTER 2024

  • Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

  • Start Date: August 16

  • End date: December 22

SPRING SEMESTER 2025

  • Application Deadline: September 15, 2024

  • Dates TBD: Mid January - Late May


Program Costs (2024-2025)

  • EdOdyssey program fee: $12,500 USD

  • Non-Partner Institution fee: $13,000 USD

Once accepted, a $500 deposit is due to reserve your spot in our Fukuoka study abroad program.

    • Tuition

    • Housing (includes a room cleaning fee and all utilities).

    • Bedding Pack

    • Orientation and EdOdyssey Excursions

    • International Health & Emergency Insurance

    • A rechargeable public transit card.

  • These are estimates and students should budget based on their lifestyle and spending habits.

    • Airfare: $1,600

    • Visa: Free

    • Emergency Travel Insurance: Included!

    • Book & Lab Fees: $150 (estimate, depends on course selections and may be less)

    • Meals: $1,600

    • National Health Insurance: $100

    • Personal Expenses: $1,800

    TOTAL ESTIMATED PERSONAL SEMESTER EXPENSES: $5,250 USD


INTERESTED IN STUDYING ABROAD IN JAPAN WITH EDODYSSEY?