Osaka, JAPAN

Map of all MIX partner universities in Japan

This program is open to undergraduate students in all majors. Graduate students may also be considered for exchange on a case by case basis.

This program is a good fit for students who already have intermediate to advanced Japanese language skills (1 year or more is recommended).

Exchange students may take courses in Japanese Language and Culture.

Most regular courses are open to exchange students, if their Japanese proficiency level is sufficient.

Undergraduate faculties include: Law, Letters, Economics, Commerce, Sociology, Policy Studies, Foreign Language Studies, Health and Well-being, Informatics, Safety Science, Engineering Science, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Chemistry, and Bioengineering.

Exchange students may not participate in the Kansai University Japanese Language and Culture Program (Bekka).

Access Course Sylabi for regular university courses

Fall Semester: mid September - late January

Spring Semester: early April - late July

UHM students may go on exchange to Kansai University either the academic year (mid September - late July) or for the Spring semester.

Exchange students may live in the Student House Syurei-ryo (males), the Dormitory Tsukigaoka (females), or in the Kansai University International Dormitory (co-ed; males and females live on different floors). Students may bike or take a train to campus from the dorms.

Rooms in the International Dormitory are single occupancy; each floor has a shared kitchen, bathroom, and shower facility.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the dormitories.

More information about dormitories at Kansai University

MIX students register as full-time students at UH Manoa and pay regular UHM tuition. They do not pay overseas tuition. 

- Students who normally pay in-state UHM tuition continue to do while on MIX. 
- Students who normally pay out-of-state UHM tuition continue to do so while on MIX.
- Students who normally pay WUE tuition continue to do so while on MIX. 

View UHM tuition & fees online

In addition to UHM tuition, MIX students are responsible for all of their living expenses, including health insurance, books/supplies, room & meals, personal expenses, airfare, local transportation, and any costs associated with obtaining a visa (if applicable). It is recommended that you research online to get an idea of how much these expenses will be.    

Since you are still a registered UHM student while on MIX, you continue to be eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships. If you submit a ‘MIX Student Budget for Financial Aid Purposes’ form, UHM financial aid will take into consideration your overseas living and travel expenses when awarding your grants/loans.  

National Health Insurance Program - International students residing in Japan for one semester or one year may be required to enroll in this program through their host university in Japan. Costs vary by region, but may be approximately $18.00/month. Japanese National Health Insurance may not be required if students purchase adequate health insurance in their home country.

Kansai University Estimated Expenses

Kansai University Student House or Dormitory costs about $530,000 yen for 11 months. Students living in an off-campus apartment can expect to pay about 400,000-$700,000 yen for 11 months.

Students who eat breakfast and dinner at the dormitories, and lunch on campus, normally spend about 450,000 yen for 11 months.

Books and course materials are approx. 20,000-30,000 yen per year.

Local transportation costs are estimated at 60,000 yen per year.

Kansai University estimates that other living expenses are about 220,000 yen, depending on the student's lifestyle.

Student Life at Kansai University - While main activities university students engage themselves in should be their academic and research activities that match their faculty/department programs, there are also other important activities for them. They can be extracurricular activities, sports such as Judo and baseball which are part of the Athletic Association, indoor activities such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, and orchestra which are part of the Cultural Association, group activities such as ESS and Japanese Literature Study Club which are part of the Extracurricular Study Association, and volunteer activities. Students are encouraged to participate in those to foster an independent spirit, develop character, and expand their knowledge.

Visa Information - The requirements for visas vary depending upon nationality (citizenship), purpose of trip, and length of stay. As a rule, applications must be submitted in person to the Japanese Consulate. The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu has a jurisdiction covering the State of Hawaii and American Samoa. If visa applicants reside outside State of Hawaii or American Samoa, please contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate that handles visas for your area.

Once you have a valid passport and the other required documents, you will need to visit the Consulate General of Japan at Honolulu and apply for a VISA. The Consulate General of Japan is located at 1742 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817 USA. Tel: 808-543-3111.

If you are studying abroad for a semester or year, please be sure to apply for a “College Student” status VISA. It is a very difficult and sometimes impossible to get your status changed later.

You will need at least the following documents when applying for your College Student status VISA:

1. Visa application form with passport photos attached (download from Consulate General website).

2. Copy of Certificate of Admission to your host university in Japan. (This is a formal letter that will be sent directly to the MIX Office. You will receive an email when it is available for pick-up.)

3. Certificate of Eligibility (Issued about two months before your departure for Japan)

4. Your valid passport

Upon Arrival in Japan - When you arrive at the airport in Japan, you will go through an Immigration Inspection. Your passport and Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence will be checked, and your residence status and your formal period of stay will be decided.

Part-time work while studying in Japan - Exchange students who are granted the 'Student' status of residence may be permitted to work part-time (up to 28 hours per week) while in Japan, as long as it does not affect their studies. To apply for permission, please fill out an "Application for Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under Status of Residence Previously Granted" when you apply for your visa. More information is available at the Immigration Bureau in Japan website.