FAQ

Program Staff: Jennifer Torres, Assistant Director of International Education

Academic Director: Dr. Noriko Ito Krenn

• Apply for the program online.

We had the pleasure of hosting many students from other universities such as:

• Louisiana State University
• Tulane University
• Austin Peay State University
• Loyola University New Orleans
• University of Georgia
• University of Pittsburgh
• Virginia Tech
• Brown University
• University of Florida
• Rutgers University
• Delaware State University
• Delgado Community College
• Old Dominion University
• The University of Arizona
• Goucher College
• Michigan State University
• Southeastern Louisiana University
• Auburn University
• Indiana University
• Red Rocks Community College

Undergraduates with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and graduate students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible to apply. Non-UNO students must submit an official transcript and other application materials to the UNO-Japan office. New students seeking college credit must meet the general admission requirements of the University of New Orleans.

• You will receive more information in an e-mail.
• We will continue to communicate with you about upcoming deadlines as we go along.

Get a passport NOW! Do not wait! It can take up to several weeks, maybe even months, to get a passport. This is very urgent. You will have to pay an extra fee to have it mailed to you in time for the trip if you apply late. Please check to see that your passport has not expired. Your passport must be valid 6 months after your return into the United States.

You may apply to the program even if you do not have a passport. Please notify the program administration of this as well as your plans to get the passport.

There are many ways to get to Kyoto from the U.S. Because Kyoto does not have its own airport, you will probably fly into one of the airports in Osaka: Kansai International Airport (KIX), or Itami Airport (ITM), formally known as Osaka International Airport.

KIX is the fancy newer airport built on the water, and is most likely the airport used for international travelers. Savvy travelers, however, may find less expensive flights from the U.S. to Itami. Check it out!

There are trains from KIX and ITM to Kyoto Station. Go to each airport's web site or do a web search to find that information. Be sure to notify us of your arrival information so we can try to meet you at Kyoto Station.

If you choose to fly into Tokyo and take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, that can be fun! You pass Mount Fuji along the way (although during the hazy days of summer the view may be obscured). Think about purchasing a rail pass (http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html). It may save you money, especially if you will be doing any more traveling than that. These rail passes must be purchased from overseas, and often have limitations, so plan ahead and read carefully!

Visit our Where To Go page for more information. Please note that this information is changing as we gather more information. Be sure to re-read from time to time, especially right before you leave.

A complete list is in the Student Guide that all registered students will receive. Do not bring too much! We know from experience that it is better to travel light. When in doubt leave it out! If you plan on bringing back gifts and goodies for your family you will need room in your suitcase on the return trip. Remember it is only a few weeks in Japan; you do not need 10 pairs of shoes or 6 pairs of blue jeans. Also, Japanese clothes dryers are typically not as powerful as American ones, so pack light clothing that dry well.

Another important item to include in your packing list is medication. You should pack enough of any medications that you take regularly to last for the duration of your stay, and bring them in their prescription containers. If it is medication that you rely upon for survival (i.e., insulin), bring extra with you. You may have to get a "vacation override" with your insurance to obtain a sufficient supply while abroad.

Note: Some medicines commonly used in the U.S. are restricted in Japan. These include any medicines containing Methamphetamine or Amphetamine. Also, medicines with more than 10% Pseudoephedrine are illegal (Sudafed, for instance). Further information on restricted medicine, as well as other things you may travel with to Japan, is available through the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco.

You will have access to wireless wifi in your dorm room. Internet access is included in the price of your room. There will also be wireless internet access in most student areas on campus. It will be difficult for you to use the Japanese computers on campus, so if you are dependent upon a computer, bring your laptop.

If you feel you may need internet other than in your room/on campus or would like a better connection, you should consider getting pocket wifi (travel wifi). There are many providers out there for this service. Please contact us if you need help searching for one.

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volts, which is different from the U.S. (110V). Japanese electrical plugs have two pins, as shown below. They fit into North American outlets. Japanese power outlets are identical to ungrounded (2-pin) North American outlets. While most Japanese outlets these days are polarized (one slot is slightly wider than the other), it is possible to encounter non-polarized outlets in some places.

Some North American equipment will work fine in Japan without adapter and vice versa, however, some sensitive equipment may not work properly or even get damaged. If you intend to purchase electronic appliances in Japan for use outside of Japan, you are advised to look for equipment specifically made for overseas tourists.

If you bring a device with you that has three prongs, bring an adapter and it should be fine. Especially for laptop computers, which generally include electric converter boxes.

We recommend about $400-$500 a week depending on the exchange rate. This should cover evening meals and weekend travel expenses. This is only an estimate. You will have to decide on how much you will need.

At the Doshisha University student dormitory, there is a curfew strictly enforced by the housing management and security from 11:00pm to 6:30am.

Japan is a highly community-oriented society and the housing is located in a quiet, friendly neighborhood. Students' behavior reflects not only upon themselves, but also upon the program, the University of New Orleans, and Doshisha University.

It is critical that our students exercise good judgement in their behavior at all times, which includes walking through the neighborhood surrounding the housing. Raucous behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

The Gilman Scholarship might be one option for Pell Grant recipients. For more information, click here.

There are many funding options available for UNO students, such as the UNO Global Ambassador Awards. Information about these awards and more can be found here.

One very important item of consideration when planning your trip is money. Carrying around a lot of cash is risky, although in Japan it is more commonly practiced, as it is much more of a cash-based economy than the US. Many places do not accept any method of payment besides cash. We still recommend you bring a credit card as well.

The best method for money exchange is through ATM machines. There are certain places in Japan that have international ATMs (one of the best and most convenient places to find ATMs that accept international cards is in 7-11 stores, which are very common). These typically offer the best rate of exchange and can sometimes be accessed twenty-four hours a day. If you don't have one, apply for a debit card now. This allows you to access your bank account funds from wherever you are. It is important that your debit card has a Visa or Mastercard logo, or the Cirrus or Pulse logo or combination of both on the reverse of the card. These are the international networks for ATM machines. If your card has Plus it may or may not work overseas. Please contact your bank for more info on the Plus network.

The benefit of using an ATM rather than changing cash at a money changer is that you often will pay no fee or a very small fee to your bank for the exchange. Most money changing businesses either charge you a fee, or jack up the exchange rate so they can make money. It is always a good idea to know your bank's policies on charging you for using an ATM overseas.

It is also a good idea to notify your bank that you will be using the card overseas and may be making larger cash withdrawals than you normally would. Such transactions are sometimes seen as a sign of card and/or identity theft and sometimes banks will block the cards in order to protect you and your account.

We advise you to contact your bank regarding withdrawals or credit card usage from overseas.

The exchange rate changes daily, and has dipped recently, but stays somewhere around 100 yen to the dollar, give or take 20 yen. One of our favorite web sites for exchange rate information is Oanda. Not only can you plug in the exchange rate you want, but then you can print out what's called a "cheat sheet." We recommend printing this out just prior to leaving the US, cut it out, and laminate it. It's nice to carry in your wallet for a handy reference. If you're not a numbers person, this might help you keep a handle on knowing how much money you're spending - especially if the exchange rate is not 100 yen to the dollar.

Current exchange rate: 1 US Dollar = 147 Yen

There are other exchange rate web sites out there. Do a web search and find which one works best for you.

Tipping is not customary or appropriate in Japanese restaurants, taxis, or pretty much anywhere. Get used to not tipping!

The Japanese are famous for their trains. Because Japanese taxis are very expensive, with charges for distance and time spent in traffic, trains are the best method of transportation. Depending on your travel needs, you will want the right pass for trains. For more help on this topic, visit the japan rail pass website.

Note: you will not need a rail pass for the time during the program. You will receive a Kyoto City Bus pass for 30 days during the time that you are on the program. The rail pass is good for travel when not on the program, or if you wish to travel outside the city of Kyoto. To figure out if it's worth getting a Japan Rail Pass please refer to the online Japan Rail Pass Calculator.

This is a tricky question to answer, and your own cell phone (keitai) knowledge may trump ours, so make sure you do your homework. Some US cell service providers do claim to have service that works overseas, including in Japan. Be sure you check all fees that apply. This may be prohibitively expensive. Some phones may even be able to utilize WiFi Calling, where you can make and receive calls from back at home to your phone as long as you have a WiFi connection (this will not work for Japanese numbers). Check with your provider.

There are some services in Japan for cell phone rental and purchase. 
One company we recommend for rental phones is Piccell Wireless. Check out the website to find out more. Two very competitive cell phone rental or sales companies is My Japan Phone and RentaPhone.

Prepaid Phones: Due to past criminal abuse of prepaid phones, phone sellers must now verify the identity and place of residence of their buyers. Some stores will accept foreign passports along with a hotel address as verification. Prepaid phones start around 5000 yen. Credit, which is used for outgoing calls, email, internet, etc. depending on what features your phone supports, must be purchased in advance. With most companies, incoming calls are free and outgoing calling rates are comparable to those of rental phones.

Credit can be bought at cell phone stores and convenience stores and is typically valid for two months. Phone numbers remain active as long as you have valid credit in your account, but will expire after four months to a year without use.

Other: Consider alternatives, such as using VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services such as LINE, Skype, or purchasing phone cards in Japan.

Fun facts: All Japanese keitai (cell phones) come equipped with software that will look up train routes and timing, searchable by many different criteria, such as quickest route, or fewest transfers, etc.

Also, charms that hang from ketai are very popular in Japan. You'll see folks carrying them around with all kinds of things hanging from them!!

Another note: It is impolite to talk on a keitai while on public transportation. What you will see is just about everyone sending text messages. Just imagine sending texts in kanji(漢字)...complicated!

The arrival day is May 25, 2025, so most students should plan to arrive then. Once you book your travel, you should send us a copy of your itinerary. Once you arrive to the hotel from Kyoto Station, you will be assisted in checking into the hotel for the first night stay. Then the next day, you will be checked into your dorm room. We will then have our on-site orientation, and campus & city tours. This is a day packed with important information that no one should miss.

All students are responsible for arranging their own travel arrangements. The UNO-Japan office can help you to a limited degree. It is wise to make your travel plans prior to the start of the program - even if you are planning to travel after the program is finished.

Youth hostels can be both affordable and convenient. This can also be a great place to make new friends. There is no one way to describe a typical youth hostel in Kyoto. Some hostels are fairly quiet, and peaceful, while others have a fun and lively atmosphere. Some may have a mandatory curfew. It is recommended to book a room prior to checking in. For more help in choosing a youth hostel in Kyoto or Japan, visit Hostelling International or do a web search for youth hostels. Some students like to get the ISIC (International Student Identity Card), which sometimes grants you discounts on various things like hostels and museum admissions, etc.

The 2025 pre-departure orientation will be in April (date TBD) in the UNO International Center student lounge room 133 at 5:30PM-7:30PM. Registered students should RSVP, and are encouraged to bring family members. For students who do not live in the area, we will have you join us via Zoom, and send you our pre-departure guide, and of course answer any and all questions on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. We spend our first full day there (May 26th) taking care of the information you will need when you first arrive, going on campus & city tours to orient you to Kyoto.

The weather in Kyoto in June is quite humid due to the rainy season called Tsuyu ( 梅雨, plum rain) that usually starts in the middle of June and lasts until the middle of July. The average temperature is 77°F. Bring light clothing but also a long-sleeved top to put on in air-conditioned facilities. Be sure to pack your rain gear!

Note: cute umbrellas are on sale everywhere in Japan starting at around 5-10 dollars (500-1000 yen), so if you want a nifty souvenir in the form of an umbrella, and don't want to pack one, consider buying it there. One thing is fairly certain: you will need an umbrella!

Another note: tsuyu is characterized as the "rainy season," but the rain is not generally summer thunderstorms like we get in New Orleans. It is usually a nice rain with low, gray skies. So you won't need galoshes or anything that extreme, and you needn't worry about flooding.

Yes. You will need dress clothes for the opening and closing ceremonies. Ladies will need a dress, skirt, and/or dress pants. Gentlemen can wear a coat and tie, but slacks and a nice shirt will do. But otherwise, casual clothes are always fine for Kyoto.

Note: Japanese fashion is very much a part of the daily life of the average university student, especially for ladies.

No, but it is not a bad idea to learn a little before you go. You do not need to know much, just the basics, i.e. thank you, please, you're welcome, excuse me, etc. People in Kyoto speak with a unique accent called Kansai-ben. Even if you study Japanese (standard Japanese) it can sometimes be difficult to understand them, although they tend to purposefully speak standard Japanese with foreigners. Many Japanese people in Kyoto can speak English, but "when in Rome do as the Romans do." Try to speak as much as you can, it can be fun!

YES! The water in Kyoto is fine. Tap water tastes great and it is healthy. Drink as much water as possible during your stay to keep hydrated.

Yes. You can get a ticket for jay walking. Especially in Japan, it is not wise to risk getting a ticket for jay walking. Most people wait for the sign to change. It appears that only tourists jay walk from what we have seen. Your goal is to fit in with the Japanese setting as much as possible.

If you are not a UNO student, grades will be automatically sent to your university in the weeks following the completion of the summer school. Please note that we cannot send out official transcripts until we receive the room damage report from the housing. All students will receive an official certificate upon completion of the program. All students letter grades will be sent to their university via electronic transcript - NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have any questions regarding the transcript process please contact us at the UNO-Japan office.

If you or your university/college need a physical transcript, you will need to go through the steps of requesting one through the UNO Registrar's Office.

Your grades will be sent to your university as soon as possible. We do not make any exceptions. It may take a few weeks to get the grades into the system, sent to your school, and to have your school enter them into their computer system, so please be patient. Our advice: do not plan to graduate in the summer, or you may have to wait awhile. Also, grades will only be sent after we have received the room damage report from housing. We try our hardest to ensure that your transcript is sent to your school as soon as possible.

We do recommend you bring a laptop on the program. The computers in student labs and facilities are all formatted in Japanese, so unless you read Japanese well, or are a computer genius, it will be fairly difficult to use these computers.

1. Bed linens will be provided.
2. Please bring your own towels or buy them once you arrive.
3. A pillow is provided, but bring your own if you are particular about your pillow or want more than one.
4. There are washing machines and dryers. Students will wash their own clothes and towels, and supply their own detergent that we recommend students buy once in Japan.

Known for everything under the sun, from its Buddhist shrines, to electronic corporations and delicious foods, Kyoto is a favorite destination for travelers. Over a thousand temples still stand, as well as 17 World Heritage Sites and Imperial Parks which are perfect for a stroll (some information about them can be found here). Two of the more relaxing things to do in Kyoto is visit the various Zen Temples and Kyoto Gardens. Besides, hiking is also popular in the northern mountains of Kyoto which is less than one hour from the city center.

Kyoto is an extremely safe city. With a population of about 1.5 million, it has a very low crime rate.

As far as environmental factors are concerned, the ground is relatively stable, suffering little from the 1000 earthquakes that hit Japan each year (don't worry, most of them are too small to be felt). It is far enough from the Pacific and Japan Sea that storm surges aren't a problem, and the mountains that surround the city on three sides shear off most of the wind from typhoons. However, always make sure you are aware of your surroundings.

It is extremely important that students attend class every day. The UNO-Japan: Study at Doshisha University summer program has high academic standards which we maintain on all our academic programs. Students attending the UNO-Japan summer program are not allowed any unexcused absences. It is university policy to lower a student's overall performance by a letter grade or by a substantial amount for each absence over the allotted limit. Only the Academic Director can authorize an excused absence.

Students are responsible for purchasing their books and transporting them to Kyoto. We do not recommend students mailing their books or other packages to Kyoto for they may get held up in Customs. The Customs agency can charge extremely high fees to release your shipments. Students can purchase their books from any source they choose, even a digital option if they wish (and if it's available). The list of the required books will be available in the course syllabus.

Students are responsible for attending class regularly, participating in class discussions, attending all required weekend field trips, and attending any class field trips. Students may not have access to computers to print papers, therefore all papers may be handwritten. Students will not be required to do research papers or extensive projects. Although students are not required to have read their texts while still in the United States, we highly recommend that students read and prepare as much as possible for their courses in the upcoming summer so that they will have more free time for travel.