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Excursions & Daily Events
Students participate in a daily Japanese class in small groups based upon their proficiency
Adjusting to a foreign country can be overwhelming for anyone, so during the first week of the program, students are given some time to adjust with the help of Senshu students and staff. Senshu students lead the participants on a tour of the campus and downtown area, including important university buildings and budget-friendly places to eat and shop. There are also orientations for the gymnasium and computer center. An opening ceremony and welcome party for the new participants is held this first week, where participants will meet other students and staff members. A few days after arrival, the Japanese placement exam is held for those who have been studying the language. Based on the placement exam, students will be placed into small classes according to their level.
Students enjoying eggs cooked in a hotspring at Hakone.
The day begins at Kenshu-kan, the international dormitory, around 8am as students begin to wake up and get ready for the 9am Japanese classes. The campus comes alive around this time as well, as Senshu students rush to their classes. After Japanese class, students are given an hour to meet up with friends and eat lunch, perhaps at one of Senshu's cafeterias or back at the dorm. Depending on the day, everyone meets up for the Business and/or Culture classes, held at the International Center in afternoon. Once or twice a week, a field trip or cultural activity is held. After classes, students are free to do as they wish; some students may check their email in one of Senshu's computer labs before heading home to work on their homework, others may do a little grocery shopping at the local 99 Yen shop before returning home to make dinner together with their friends, and others may head out to explore an area of Tokyo they haven't been to yet.
Life at Kenshu-kan is one of the best things about the Senshu program for every participant. Students may have roommates from places as far away as Russia or as close as Illinois. In addition, Senshu students interested in studying English or learning about different cultures often visit the dorm to meet the program participants.
In front of a read torii gate at Nikko
The Senshu BCL Program includes many field trips and cultural excursions. For the Business course, students visit several Japanese companies, such as Toshiba, NTT, Nissan, and Mitsui Insurance. The Culture course provides opportunities to take part in a tea ceremony, traditional Japanese calligraphy, a Kabuki play, and more.
Early in the semester, students go on a field trip to Kamakura, an ancient capital of Japan that is known for its numerous temples and shrines.
Mid-semester, students visit Hakone, a place famous for its hot springs, natural beauty, stunning view of Mount Fuji. During this two-day visit, students stay in Senshu University's seminar house.
During the fall program, students have a one-week vacation, usually beginning in late October. During this time, most students travel to places such as Kyoto, Hiroshima, or Nikko. This is a great time to travel, as it is still fairly warm and the autumn leaves are at their best. With a Japan Rail Pass, students may ride JR trains, buses, and trams for one week for a low fare, including the famous shinkansen, or bullet trains. During the Fall Orientation, Nebraska students are provided with information about popular destinations and advice on where to go by the Senshu coordinator.
UNL & UNO students at the Fall Program farewell party.
During the final weeks at Senshu, students participate in the Business and Japanese class presentations, and Japanese final exam. There is an orientation for leaving Japan, where students are given instructions on checking out of Kenshu-kan and how to get to the airport. During the last couple of days, the students are given extra time to visit with their friends and pack their belongings. There is a completion and farewell party, where Senshu staff, Kenshu-kan resident assistants, and program participants say goodbye. After they come back to Nebraska, former participants often say that their only regret is that they couldn't stay longer! A semester at Senshu will be the best semester of your life!
