The Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus is located about halfway between Kobe and Osaka in the city of Nishinomiya.

Kwansei Gakuin University Campus Map

Map of all MIX partner universities in Japan

Undergraduate and graduate students in any major may study on exchange at Kwansei Gakuin University. Students with any level of proficiency in Japanese language may participate.

Exchange students participate in the Japan and East Asian Studies Program (JEASP), which offers courses in Japanese and East Asian Studies. The JEASP has three main academic components:

• Japanese Language Courses (JLC)
• Japan Studies Courses (JSC)
• China and Korea Studies Courses (CKSC)

Students who already have advanced proficiency in Japanese may enroll in regular KGU courses taught in Japanese.

See the KGU Fact Sheet for more info on courses offered.

Academic Areas by Campus

Program for Exchange Students

UHM Students may study at KGU either for the entire academic year (mid-September to late July), or for the Spring semester (early April - late July).

Fall Semester: mid-September to late January

Spring Semester: early April to late July

See the KGU Fact Sheet for a detailed academic calendar.

Students in the JEASP are typically placed in a Japanese homestay. A limited number of dormitory spaces in International Residence 1 & 2 are available for exchange students.

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 you your grants/loans.  

National Health Insurance Program - Japanese National Health Insurance may not be required if students purchase adequate health insurance in their home country.

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 at KGU who are granted the 'Student' status of residence may be permitted to work part-time (up to 14 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.