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ICU International Summer Program
Shoichiro Iwakiri
President
Message from the President
Message from the President
Following the 2023 renewal and the success of the first three years of the program, ICU is happy to welcome you to our International Summer Program in Japan (ISPJ) in 2026.
This program is designed to improve your Japanese language competence and enrich your cultural experience of Japan.
The ‘cultural experience of Japan’ part of the program consists of lectures in class and direct contact with Japanese society and people, and every year the program proposes a different theme. In 2026, the overall theme will be “CITY (都市)” . I hope you will explore Japanese culture and thought from an interdisciplinary approach, and gain a new perspective on modern society in Japan and in the world.
Staying on the campus of ICU in the suburbs of Tokyo, you can enjoy your study and everyday life with Japanese language learners from all over the world, ICU students, and teachers.
I hope you will find your own Japan and its original aspects, a new relationship with others, and why not your unknown self through ICU’s International Summer Program in Japan.
I’m looking forward to seeing you !
Program
Program
Join the ICU International Summer Program in Japan and study at a lush green campus about 30 minutes from central Tokyo!
Join the ICU International Summer Program in Japan and study at a lush green campus about 30 minutes from central Tokyo!
In July, we offer a) a task-based language study component and b) Study Japan from Multiple Perspectives with a focus on the 2026 program theme.
You will be taking a set of courses together with other fellow participants, lectures in class, as well as theme-related fieldwork and cultural activities, allowing you to be introduced and exposed to Japanese culture and enhance the practical ability of the Japanese language you have learned so far.
Program Duration
July 3, 2026 to July 30, 2026
Dormitory move-in date: July 3, 2026
Move-out date: July 30, 2026
Class period: July 6–29, 2026
Number of Students
60 Overseas students
20 ICU students
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026, 23:59 (JST)
Program Features
Program Features
Japanese Language
Japanese Language
Communicative interactive task-based
for Pre-Intermediate/ Intermediate learners
*Completed CEFR A2.1 level is a minimum requirement by the time the program starts.
Japan Studies
Japan Studies
Study Japan from Multiple Perspectives, focusing on the 2026 program theme, together with ICU students.
...and much more!
...and much more!
On-Campus housing, living alongside ICU students, cultural activities incorporated
Teaching Hours &Credits
Teaching Hours &Credits
Japanese Language Module
approx. 47.5 hours
*direct teaching hours
targeting mainly three levels:
Pre -intermediate, Low intermediate and Intermediate
*no beginners will be accepted.
Japan Studies Module
approx. 41.25 hours
* direct teaching hours
Total Hours &Credits
approx. 89 hours
*5 credits-worth
Schedule
Schedule
Academic Credit
Academic Credit
At the end of the course, we will provide a certificate detailing the grade attained and the number of classroom hours. This will state that the ICU International Summer Program in Japanese are equivalent in content, teaching method, assessment and rigor to the corresponding regular term courses at ICU, which are assigned five academic units of credit.
Optional Extracurricular Activities
Optional Extracurricular Activities
To encourage cross-cultural exchange and friendship among participants, we organize optional extracurricular activities during the first weekend of the program for both overseas and ICU students.
In 2025, students had fun creating food samples, exploring Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa, and visiting the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama.
Stay tuned to discover what exciting experiences await you in 2026!
Memories from Last Year’s Activities *Information about the 2026 activities will be announced once finalized.
Food Sample Workshop (Parfait Model)
Food Sample Workshop (Parfait Model)
Tokyo Skytree &Asakusa
Tokyo Skytree &Asakusa
Cup Noodles Museum (Create Your Own Cup Noodles)
Cup Noodles Museum (Create Your Own Cup Noodles)
Accommodation
Accommodation
Participants will stay at ICU on-campus dormitory:
Rooms will be shared by 2 students with beds, desks and air conditioning in each room.
Whenever possible, an overseas student and an ICU student will share a room, depending on the ratio of participants. Students can also interact daily in shared common areas.
Restrooms, kitchen, shower facilities are shared.
Dinner is provided on the check-in day, and breakfast is provided on weekdays
If you do not wish to stay in the ICU dormitory, please indicate this when applying.
Program Fees
Program Fees
374,700JPY
374,700JPY
The total program fee includes:
Tuition (5 units-worth)
On-campus dormitory fee, including dinner on the check-in day and breakfast on weekdays
Administration fee
One textbook: “タスクベースで学ぶ日本語 中級1または2 (Task-Based Learning Japanese for College Students)”
Admission fees for extracurricular activities
Note:
The administration charge covers the application handling fee, facilities fee, insurance fee, certificate issuance fee, and other related costs.
Participants who choose to live off-campus will receive a 92,500 JPY reduction, making their total fee 282,200 JPY.
Application
Application
Eligibility
Eligibility
To qualify for admission to ISPJ, students must satisfy the following conditions.
1. Those who are 18 years of age or older as of the first day of the program, and are currently enrolled in or have graduated from a college or university, with an academic interest in Japan.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is desirable.
3. Completed CEFR A2.1 level is a minimum requirement by the time the program starts.
4. A minimum English language level is required; (TOEFL 79 / IELTS 6.0 is recommended)
Application Procedure
Application Procedure
STEP 1 Apply by Sunday, March 1, 2026, 23:59 (JST)
Start application from the link below:
Required documents:
1. Identification Photo (head shot)
2. Statement of Purpose
3. Official Academic Transcript
Participants will be selected based on the information provided in the application form.
STEP 2 Receive an e-mail with the result by Tuesday, March 31.
STEP 3 Complete payment of program fees by Thursday, April 30.
Cancellation Policy and Refund Deadline
Cancellation Policy and Refund Deadline
If applicants cancel participation in the program after payment of the program fee, the following cancellation fee will be deducted from the payment depending on the date you notify the CGE office.
20% of the program fee for cancellation from payment day to May 31;
70% of the program fee for cancellation before July 2; and
100% of the program fee for cancellation on and after July 3
Paid fees will not be refundable after the refund date.
The program might be changed or cancelled in accordance with the disease prevention measures and policies. In this case, the program fee will be fully refunded.
Contact
Contact
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