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GLOBAL LEARNING CENTER,
TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

FGL: Get Started at TU for 2023 entrants

This page is for newly admitted undergraduate students in the FGL Program.

To help students start their life in Japan smoothly, Tohoku University (the International Support Center) provides various support services including assistance with ward office procedures and opening a bank account.

Please see below for the process of applying for support.

How to Apply for Support Services

 

Steps 1 and 2 will be processed together by FGL office, so you do not need to do them.

You should follow the procedures from Step 3 onward. Invitation mail will be sent in late-August.

 

[Note]

  • ・All students will be automatically applied for support of "Bureaucratic Procedures" and "Opening Bank Accounts".  "Bureaucratic Procedures" will take place on Wednesday, September 27 and cannot be changed. If you do not need these services, please contact the Support Center through "My Page" (Step 5).

 

・If you would like to request other support services, such as "Guidance after arrival in Sendai", etc. please contact the Support Center through "My Page" (Step 5).
Please note that any expenses incurred for transportation, as well as the costs associated with contracts, payments, or other matters involving external organizations in each support services shall be borne by the individual in entirety.

 

  • ・MEXT student must open a bank account at a post office by Tuesday, October 3 in order to receive the scholarship.

  •  Other student should also open a bank account at online or a post office by Friday, October 6.

 

  • ・Except for the MEXT Scholarship recipients, all new FGL students should purchase their airline ticket to Japan at their own expense. You should avoid taking a flight that directly arrives at Sendai Airport; you won't be issued your residence card at Sendai Airport, which will cause a delay doing the resident registration and opening a bank account. In case you enter from Sendai Airport, it will be sent to you by postal mail within 10 days after you perform resident registration at the Sendai City Aoba Ward Office.

    Unless there are unavoidable circumstances, it's suggested to take a flight that arrives at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport.

    See page 10 of the Pocket Guide for the details.

Student Insurance

All FGL students are required to join both types of student insurance.

1. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education & Research (Gakkensai Insurance)
Insurance Premium : JPY 3,300 for 4 years


2. Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with "Gakkensai Insurance" for International Students (Inbound Futaigakuso)
Insurance Premium(IMAC-U, AMB) : JPY 37,410 for 4 years

Insurance Premium(AMC)              : JPY 42,480 for 4 years * AMC course differs in insurance cost from the other two courses. 

* Payment instructions will be announced after entry into Japan.

 

Payment of Tuition

Your tuition will be automatically deducted from your JP Bank account twice a year (per semester). The amount deducted each time is JPY 267,900. Be sure to have enough funds in your bank account by the payment date. 

Payment Schedule

 

Automatic Tuition Fee Payment Registration Page

 

Student Discount Pass for Sendai Public Transportation

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Public Transportation (TU support)

The "Gakuto Sendai Free Pass," a discount pass for Sendai city public transportation is available for students who use Sendai City Bus or Subway to commute to TU campuses. There are several types of pass available depending on the line you want to use and the duration of the pass.

Subway Tozai Line Free Pass fare:
JPY6,990 for 1 month, JPY20,970 for 3 months, JPY41,940 for 6 months

STEP 1: Fill out an application form for the free pass and request a Student Commuter Certificate at window #4, 1st floor, Education and Student Support Center (A01). The application forms are placed in front of the window #4.

STEP 2: Go to a ticket office at Sendai Subway Station (N10), Kotodai (N08) or Yagiyama-Dobutsukoen (Zoo) Station (T01) with your Student ID card, the Student Commuter Certificate and a completed application form to buy a pass.

See Sample Application Form

 

FGL Student Mailing List

We have a mailing list for FGL Undergraduate students, through which you will receive various information on both on campus and off campus events. Your email will be automatically registered for the mailing list around the beginning of October. The mailing list is managed by the FGL Office. The email address of the mailing list is fgl-students[at]grp.tohoku.ac.jp but please note that you cannot send emails to this address.

 

Curriculum Information

Please visit the following webpage and register for courses.

Click "Curriculum" tab and check Curriculum Information. You can find syllabi and schedules on general/specialized education. Check "How to Register Class Online" as well and register courses by Student Affairs Information System during class registration period.

*Registration for language subjects for Japanese students will be explained separately at each course orientation.

 

 

Useful Websites

Cafeterias & Stores

1. Lawson : Convenience store near the UHA
* 8:00am-10:00pm Mon-Fri, Closed on weekends, National and the Bon holidays.
2. Co-op Midori Shop - Convenience store near the UHA
* 10:00am-7:00pm Mon-Fri, Closed on weekends, National and the Bon holidays.
3. Midori Shokudo Dining - Cafeteria near the UHA
* 11:00am-7:00pm Mon-Fri, 11:00am-1:30pm Sat, Closed on Sun, National and the Bon holidays.
4. Lunch Box & Halal - Cafeteria (Halal food available) near the UHA
* It's not open.
5. Kotaro - Cafeteria (Japanese food and noodle) near the UHA
* 11:00am-1:30pm Mon-Sat, Closed on Sundays, National and the Bon holidays.
6. Buddy's Table - Cafeteria near the UHA
* 11:00am-10:00pm Mon-Sat, Closed on Sundays, National and the Bon holidays.
7. Aeon Sendai - Supermarket (Downtown)
8. Gyomu Super - Supermarket (Downtown, Halal food available)

 

Mobile Phones

There is no need to rush to a mobile phone shop to get a phone. If you already have your own 4G supported SIM free mobile phone that you use in your country, you can access the Internet in your room at University House Aobayama with your PC (via LAN cable. No Wi-Fi) and on campus (via TU campus Wi-Fi. Student ID & password required. The ID will be given to you on October 1st.) without contracting with a Japanese mobile carrier. Once you get used to living in Japan, you can look for a SIM card that suits your needs. We recommend asking a senior student's advice at Help Desk or check TU Support website for "Campus SIM" of prepaid SIM card.


If you want to know more about getting a mobile phone in Japan, the following websites might be useful.
1. UQ Mobile
2. Rakuten Mobile
3. GTN Mobile

NOTE : Buying a mobile phone in Japan is quite tricky. When purchasing a mobile phone, if you are under 20 years old, you will be required to submit a consent form signed by your parents/guardian. Also, you must have a bank account in Japan. Please contact the relevant mobile phone company for details. Note that TU teaching/admin staff CANNOT sign any consent forms on behalf of your parents. Also a lot of mobile phone carriers require a credit card for monthly payment. If you are a minor, you should bring a family credit card from your home country so that buying the mobile phone will be easier.

Contact

FGL Office / FGL Undergraduate Admissions Office

Student Exchange Division

Office Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri *We are NOT available during 12:30pm-1:30pm (Lunch break)
Counter #6-B, 2nd floor, Education and Student Support Center (A01 on the map), Kawauchi Campus,
41 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8576 Japan

Tel: +81 (0)22 795 3242

E-mail: g30-kyom[at]grp.tohoku.ac.jp

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