Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS)
The University at Albany, SUNY continues to monitor and assess the COVID-19 Novel Corona Virus pandemic. While there are no definite answers on when education abroad programming may resume, our dedicated Education Abroad team is ready and available to assist and guide you! Please begin an application for your program of choice so we can work together to plan your future.
Tokyo is the world’s largest city and Japan’s capital. Experience the center of Japanese pop culture and surround yourself with an exciting city filled with brightly-lit signs and skyscrapers. Enjoy Tokyo’s famous cuisine with delicious sushi, noodles, and fresh seafood. Visit the museums and street festivals of Tokyo as you experience Japanese culture.
Tokyo Univeristy of Foreign Studies (TUFS) is Japan’s oldest institution devoted to international studies. Enjoy a vibrant campus community with TUFS Cinema international film screenings and a university that specializes in the study of foreign languages and cultures. At the School Festival of TUFS, Gaigosai, students share food and perform theater from the language and culture they are studying.
Application Deadline
Program Start
Program End
Program Details
Academic Program
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) offers a wide range of courses for undergraduate students.
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
You will be admitted to the International Student Exchange Program of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (ISEPTUFS). All classes, with the exception of Japanese language classes, are conducted in English.
Courses in beginning, intermediate, and advanced-level Japanese language are offered, as well as a variety of undergraduate courses with a focus on Japanese and Intercultural Studies. The ISEPTUFS Program is intended primarily as an academic year experience (early October – late July). It may be possible to participate for a single Spring semester on a space-available basis, but attending for the Fall semester only is generally not an option.
Review the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies website and most recent course information (scroll down to “Course Details”. The courses taught in English and the Japanese language courses have separate links) for more information regarding course offerings.
General Education Information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.
Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.
Transcript
All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
Housing
You, along with other students from around the world, will live in one of the three international student residence halls, conveniently located on campus. Each dorm room is single occupancy. Rooms typically include a mini kitchen, private bath, balcony, desk, bookshelf and an air conditioner. You may also arrange your own off campus housing.
Meals
There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.
Estimate of Costs
Review this program’s Estimate of Costs. Note, there may be several tabs in the Estimate of Costs. Please be sure that you are reviewing the tab for your anticipated semester abroad.
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
Academic Requirements
Juniors and seniors in all majors with at least a 2.5 GPA are eligible to apply. If you are a sophomore, or have a lower GPA, you should consult with the study abroad program coordinator.
Some Japanese language coursework is recommended, but not required.
This program is only to UAlbany students.
Experiential Learning
University-arranged excursions are not included in this program, but you will have access to unlimited tourist attractions and events off campus.
Student Clubs and Organizations
There are several athletic and cultural clubs and circles at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Some circles and clubs arrange field trips and tours. A circle is a group of students who share a common interest in an activity and gather periodically to explore this interest together. Clubs tend to require more commitment than circles, and are often the equivalent to university-level team sports. You should be aware that you may not be able to join certain clubs/circles due to the length of your exchange program.
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
About the City
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies is located in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is the largest city in the world, and offers a great mix of modern and traditional sites.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter Japan.
For all other nationalities, please check with your government and the Consulate General of Japan’s website to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program.
More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Spring/Winter/Spring Break programs: July
- Fall/Year/Summer programs: December
Program Dates
Academic Year 2019-2020
10/01/2019 to 07/10/2020
Fall 2020
Due to the host university’s academic calendar, a Fall semester program is not offered.
Spring 2021
April to July (Specific dates forthcoming)
About the Program
The University at Albany’s exchange affiliation with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) enables you to study Japanese language and culture, and is intended for U.S. students interested in developing Japanese language skills and in pursuing in-depth study of subjects related to Japan.
Based on its history of more than 100 years, TUFS continues to play an important role as one of the hubs of international academic research and exchange in Japan in the 21st century.
Program Orientations
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
The Tokyo University of Foreign Studies International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.