Tohoku University’s Overseas Study Programs

SAP is appropriate for a variety of students, for example those who wish to improve their foreign language ability and learn to adapt to other cultures before a long-term study abroad, and those wanting to study specialized fields overseas. As this program consists of short-term training conducted during the semester-end vacations, students need not worry about it affecting other classes or their school year. It provides pre/post-trip training and opportunities for exchange on-location, enabling students to use their vacations productively to earn credit.

This half or whole year program is for those who wish to study abroad long term, and want to pursue not only language study but also studies related to their fields. Students can select their destination from Tohoku University's partner schools around the world.

This program is aimed at graduate students (or undergraduate students who plan to enroll in a Tohoku University graduate school) in the natural sciences. It is for those whose primary focus of study abroad is research, e.g. they wish to research at a university or research institute abroad, build their academic network with foreign researchers, etc. The period of study abroad is from 10 days up to one year. The student can select a time, length, and destination for studying abroad that fits his/her research schedule.

This is a special program conducted at UC Davis, University of Washington and other partner universities. It is focused on a workshop in which students receive guidance and advice on their own research results from the partner university’s instructors, and train to make academic presentations. It also includes cultural exchange in the form of interaction with local students and field trips to research (cultural) institutes and/or companies. The research exchange that comprises the core of this workshop may be expanded in the future into a collaborative research, or longer term collaborative research and study abroad, program.

Students in a Double Degree (Joint Education) Program belong to both Tohoku University and a top affiliated school in France, Sweden, or China. They obtain both a Tohoku University master's degree and a master-equivalent from the affiliated school. This international environment is expected to develop the students' research abilities in, and give them a cosmopolitan outlook on, science and engineering.

This is an outgoing program for a half or full-year study abroad at one of the world's top universities: the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). Students perform research and write papers at their department at UCB. This program is aimed at students whose primary focus of study abroad is research, e.g. those who wish to research at a university or research institute abroad, build their academic network with foreign researchers, etc.

This program is aimed at graduate students. It allows them to participate in an exchange study or credited study abroad course at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which is one of China's leading universities. This program fosters not only specialized expertise and research abilities, but also comprehensive abilities needed to work in Asia, which is in the midst of becoming the center of the world's economy. While studying on this program, participants receive a scholarship from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

This program is recommended for students for whom studying abroad for a half or whole year is difficult. Through 1-2 week language and cultural programs, participants will interact with local students and have valuable experiences that are not otherwise possible when traveling abroad. They can also participate in intensive summer classes for 1-2 months at overseas universities with other students from around the world.