Information
Visa
College Student visas will not be given to participants in this program. Therefore you must obtain a Temporary Visitor visa.
Senshu University will send each participant a Letter of Acceptance and other documents upon receipt of the total cost for the program. You will be expected to prepare the necessary documents by yourself. You must appear in person at the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate and present your passport as well as the appropriate application forms and other necessary documents. Because obtaining a visa may take time, it is recommended that preparations be started early and that prompt attention be given to all application procedures. For more details, you should address your inquiries to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country.
A Temporary Visitor visa is not necessary for an applicant who is presently residing in Japan and who holds a visa which will remain valid throughout the duration of the program, or a national of a country which has a visa exemption agreement with Japan.
If you wish to remain in Japan with a Temporary Visitor status for the purpose of taking programs in the next term, please refer to the following: Visitors from countries with mutual visa exemption agreements, who have come without visas may leave Japan, return to their home country or travel to another country, and
-come back again without a visa
-come back again with a new visa issued at a Japanese embassy outside of Japan
Visitors from countries without mutual visa exemption agreements as a rule must apply for a new visa at a Japanese embassy outside of Japan.
(For more details, please see Visa & Immigration Procedures in Japan)
Arrival
You are supposed to come to the International Students' Dormitory (Kokusai Kenshu-kan) by yourself. Normally, it is best to walk (approx.
10 minutes) from the south ticket gate of Mukogaokayuen Station which is the nearest station to the university dormitory. But if you are carrying baggage, you should take a taxi from either the north or south ticket gate of Mukogaokayuen Station (approx.
5 minutes,
800 yen).
If you are able to, please try to arrange your flight schedule so that you arrive at the International Students' Dormitory (Kokusai Kenshu-kan) between
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on the arrival date specified for each term.
Please let us know your flight schedule once it has been determined. Please do not hesitate to
contact us about any inquiries or requests.
Health Care and Insurance
You are required to purchase appropriate health insurance before your departure to be eligible for program participation. If you do not meet this requirement, we will refuse to allow you to participate in our program. All participants are responsible for any kind of health problems or injuries during their stay in Japan. Before coming to Japan, any medical and dental treatment should be fully taken care of. After arriving, all charges for any diagnosis of illness at a hospital and prescribed medicine must be paid by the participants. You are eligible to use the Student Health Center of Senshu University on campus for minor illnesses or injuries. Please note that medical care at the Student Health Center is limited, and is unavailable on weekends or during school vacations. If you should become ill during your stay in Japan, please follow the recommendations of the staff and seek medical attention if you are directed to do so. If you become ill and are unwilling to follow the directions of the staff, you may be asked to return your home country to protect the health of the other students with whom you are living.
Finances
Financial problems can cause difficulties in your studies. You should plan your budget to meet all your anticipated living expenses including meals and other charges. We recommend that you bring around 60,000 yen - 80,000 yen per month.
- Cash
As international students cannot open a bank account unless they stay in Japan more than six months and complete alien registration at a ward/city office, you are advised to bring most of your funds in adequate cash. A safety deposit box is available to each of you in the dorm(Kokusai Kenshu-kan) for your passport, valuables or cash. Personal checks, bank drafts or money orders are extremely difficult to cash so do not rely upon them.
- The Global ATM
The Global ATM serves cashing needs if you have a “VISA”, “Master Card”, or cash card from another major company. The Global ATM outlets are located at the post office near the dormitory, and at other locations near Shinjuku and Machida station; and on campus.
- Debit Cards
Can be used however, in Japan it is not common practice to use debit cards for small purchases. So please be aware that many businesses have a minimum charge policy. We recommend that you make small purchases using cash.
Packing -What To Bring-
Bring only essentials with you.
For example, one big suitcase and one back pack. The weather here is variable: mostly cold from December-February (15c - 0c), warm in June and hot and humid in August (25c - 35c) and relatively comfortable in other seasons. Select the type of clothes and coats depending on the season for the terms you will be attending. Sweaters will come in handy. Although all types of clothing are available here.
Here are some suggestions about what to bring:
- Dictionaries
- A Digital Voice Recorder for language practice(ex; iPod with Universal Microphone Adapter)
- Prescription medicines
- Electrical appliances(Hair dryers, electric razors and so on) 100V
- An Umbrella
- Towels(Sheets and pillowcase will be provided)
- Pictures of your family, school items and some souvenirs typical of your country for introducing yourself
- Small gifts and pictures of your country , family, etc.(to express your gratitude to your host family) in case you wish to experience a home visit program
- Comfortable walking shoes and/or athletic shoes for gym and exercise
- Bathing suits for pool swimming (One-piece swim suits are advisable for women for use at school facilities)
- Semi-formal attire for attending parties
- White socks or Japanese socks"tabi" (if you wish to learn about tea ceremony from field trip)
- Japan Rail Pass
This pass allows you to take unlimited trips by JR lines, JR buses and ferries for a period of one or two weeks. The Exchange Order (Ticket) should be purchased outside Japan before your departure. More information is supplied by local travel agents in your country such as Japan Airlines, JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist, Nippon Travel Agency, etc.
Participants who are not going to travel during the break in the programs or after the program ends do not need to purchase this pass.
Please note only those who have "Temporary Visitor" entry status are eligible for Japan Rail Pass.
Dormitory Facilities
Student Rooms
Participants stay at the International Students' Dormitory (Kokusai Kenshu-kan) with three-four people sharing a room. Each room has three-four beds, desks and closets.
Meals
No meals are served by the university. There are refrigerators, microwave ovens, toasters, rice cookers, dishes, forks, knives, spoons and gas stoves are available (you need 10 yen to use gas stoves for around 6-10 minutes). Lots of restaurants including fast food restaurants exist around Mukogaokayuen Station, cafeterias on the campus are also available.
Study Rooms
You can use rooms #6(2nd floor) and #7(1st floor) as study rooms.
Washing Machines and Dryers
There are washing machines and dryers at the 2nd & 3rd floor’s laundry rooms, 2nd is for men, 3rd is for women.
Phone
The pay phone in front of the office at the 1st floor is available by using coins or NTT (Japanese telephone company) telephone cards.But if you would like to make direct- international calls by this pay phone, you have to use a international telephone card such as “KDDI Super World Card”which can be purchased at Seven-Eleven convenience store near Kokusai Kenshu-kan. Collect call or credit card calls might also be available, but coins or NTT telephone cards are not usable for international calls.
You can receive calls only on one line " +81-44-922-4387 (044-922-4387) " where the phones are located on the1st floor and 3rd floor. Let your family and friends know the number.
We recommend using an internet telephone service such as SKYPE or Google Voice to make international calls because they are very cheap to use.
Shower rooms
Eight shower booths for women and three shower rooms for men are available.
Computers
You can use five computers and a printer in room #7 (study room) at the 1st floor.You can also use computers at the university computer center on campus (after the orientation for computer services).Of course you can bring your own laptop PC for your personal use. Wireless broad band internet connections at the dormitory is also available. Please note that there is no “Apple Macintosh computers” for students use.
Iron
You can use a steam iron in the 1st floor’s dining hall.
Linen
Kokusai Kenshu-kan provides pillows, blankets, futons and sheets. There are no bath towels and face towels.You can change your sheet and pillowcase once a week. Please put your used sheets and pillowcases in the blue bucket and pick up clean ones from the wagon by yourself on the 1st floor in front of the dining hall.
Alcoholic Beverages
Possession or consumption of an alcoholic (intoxicating) beverages in the dormitory are strictly prohibited.You are subjected to disciplinary action if you possess or consume alcoholic beverages in Kokusai Kenshu-Kan.Resident Assistants have responsibilities for reporting infractions of this policy to the International Academic Affairs Office.
Smoking Policy
Do not smoke in the dormitory. Smoking is allowed only outside of the dormitory.
Campus Facilities
Participants are free after 12:50 p.m. unless classes are scheduled in the afternoon. In your free time, you can spend time with Senshu students and use campus facilities such as the library, gymnasium, swimming pool, training room, computing rooms, bookstore, cafeterias, etc. These facilities have their own rules and you will be expected to observe them. You should bear in mind that these facilities may sometimes be unavailable for example when they are being used for classes and by members of the Senshu Sports teams.
