Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University – APU, Japan
In 1869, Prince Kinmochi Saionji founded Ritsumeikan as a private academy on the site of the famous Kyoto Imperial Palace. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, the newest member of the prestigious Ritsumeikan Trust, opened its doors in April of 2000. This cutting-edge University boasts a unique blend of traditional Japanese and modern Western teaching methods. A truly international school, half of the students and faculty at Ritsumeikan are from outside of Japan.
‘Liberalism and vivacity’ is the Ritsumeikan Trust motto, with an underlying concept adapted after World War II of peace and democracy. The Japanese word ’ritsumeikan’ means ‘the place to establish one's destiny’.
Location
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is located in Beppu, in the Oita Prefecture of Kyushu. Being the southern most of Japan’s 4 main islands, Kyushu has a distinctively more relaxed atmosphere than Honshu, where Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto are located.
Beppu, with a population of 130,000, is blessed with a rich, natural environment of numerous hot springs – it has the world’s second largest volume of hot spring water! These factors help Beppu attract over 12 million tourists from Japan and overseas annually. Oita, a city of 400,000, which hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is a ten minute journey by train from Beppu.
Approximate Term Dates
Fall (Fall Semester/Quarter 1 & 2) End of September to January
Winter (Spring Semester/Quarter 3 & 4) April to Late July
*APU uses a quarter system, whereby 2 quarters equal one semester. Each quarter runs for two months.
Note: Schulich students going to APU in the Fall semester can make alternate arrangements to write their final exams early for most courses.
Academic Information
APU’s BBA Program remains consistent with Ritsumeikan’s mandate in maintaining a strong collaboration with the international community. This is made possible through its international faculty, student body and the availability of its internship and study abroad programs.
The preferred teaching methods are lectures, seminars, and research projects. Students will choose courses from the Asia Pacific Management (APM) curriculum.
Credit Equivalency
16 APU credits = 15 SSB credits
*Schulich students should take 8 APU credits per quarter for a total of 16 APU credits for the semester.
Note: All courses at APU are 2 credits each, except for language courses which are 4 credits. Language courses run for one semester (two quarters).
Language
With Japanese and English as the two official languages at the University, all courses are offered in both languages. There is also a Japanese language support group and intensive language courses.
Computer Facilities
The campus is fully wired with an array of multi-media labs and rooms. In addition, the residence has an internet room that is always available. The state-of-the-art computers also feature both English and Japanese operating systems in order to help foster international computer skills. The multimedia labs are also equipped with shooting and sound recording and audiovisual editing facilities as well as capabilities to digitize images, data and text information. There is also a large array of CD-ROMS and videotaped material in order to help students with coursework or for voluntary activities. On-line courses (including language courses) are also available through the various workstations.
Type/Availability of Accommodation
On-campus housing is guaranteed for all exchange students. Off-campus housing is not recommended due to the cost, and distance away from APU campus. Transportation is rather expensive to commute to the university from Beppu City.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance is mandatory for all exchange students. This should be purchased before participating on the exchange term.
Visa
For visa information, please contact:
Consulate-General of Japan
Suite 3300, Royal Trust Tower
77King Street West
P.O. Box 10 TD Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A1
Tel: 416-363-7038 Fax: 416-363-6074
Website: http://www.japancg-toronto.org
International Office
APU’s ‘Buddy Program’ is quite sophisticated. Each exchange student is matched up with both a teacher, for academic advice, and a student who has been to the same university (if available), or who has exchange program experience.
Cost of living
Immigration requires that students have proof of a minimum of 80,000 yen per month (approx. 1,000 Cdn. Dollars) available for living costs, which includes rent.
Food approx. 40000 yen
Books approx. 8000 yen
(Exchange Rate Link http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/english/exchform.htm)
Further Research:
The official Web site for Ritsumeikan Asis Pacific University is:
http://www.apu.ac.jp/apuint
*For more information about APU, please visit the Resource Library, in Room W263.