FGL: Get Started at TU for 2023 entrants
This page is for newly admitted undergraduate students in the FGL Program.
- Important Dates
- Requirements
- Pre-Arrival
- What to Bring
- Post-Arrival
- Useful Websites
- Mobile Phones
- Contact
Latest Information
- The slide material of FGL Program Orientation is now available. (September. 26, 2023)
- [Support Guide], [Support at the Ward Office], [ATM Instruction] have been posted. (September. 14, 2023)
- "Orientation Videos For Incoming International Students" have been posted. (September. 13, 2023)
- "Moving into the dormitory" and "Application for Tuition Fee Waiver/Deferment of Entrance Fee" have been posted. (August. 31, 2023)
- National Pension Information for those over 20 years old (August. 24, 2023)
FGL website top
Current Students & FGL Undergraduate Course
Important Dates for the First 2 Weeks
Date | Time (JST) |
Place |
Event |
---|---|---|---|
Monday, Sept. 25 |
Arrive at the dormitory by 17:00 * Must move in on Sep. 25 * Moving into the dormitory |
UH Aobayama dormitory |
Dormitory Orientation * Your room will be available after the orientation. |
Tuesday, Sept. 26 |
9:00-11:00 |
A101 |
|
[8/31 Updated] 11:00-12:00 * Applicants only |
Education and Student Support Center East Building 1F, Window No.4 |
Application for Tuition Fee Waiver /Deferment of Entrance Fee |
|
Wednesday, Sept. 27 |
(All day) |
Bureaucratic Procedures * Bring: Passport, Resident ID card |
|
Thursday, Sept. 28 |
- |
- |
- |
Friday, Sept. 29 |
9:45-10:45 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room A101 |
AMC Course Orientation |
10:00-10:45 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room A102 |
AMB Course Orientation |
|
11:00-11:30 |
Education and Student Support Center East Building 4F Large Conference Room |
FGL Entrance Ceremony |
|
13:00-15:00 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room A101 |
IMAC-U Course Orientation |
|
12:30-15:00 |
Katahira Campus South Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory 2 * A faculty member will guide the AMC students to the venue. |
AMC Welcome Party |
|
Monday, Oct. 2 |
- | - |
First day of Fall Semester |
* We might use images taken at the events for university publications, social networking services and other public relations materials.
* [For those who are 20 years or older at the time of entry into Japan] 8/24 Updated
You are required by law to join the National Pension Plan and pay premiums. Please submit the enrollment application form at Aoba ward office’s Health Insurance and Pension Division on Wednesday, September 27.
If a person finds it difficult to pay pension premiums for reasons such as a low income, they can apply for the Special Payment System for Students. They need to pick up and submit the Application for the Special Payment System for Students (国民年金保険料学生納付特例申請書) at the Education and Student Support Center, 1st floor, counter 1. (Attach a copy of your Student ID on an A4-size paper.) The student ID will be given to you after the 28th. Please note that you need to apply every academic year (from April to March of the following year).
Pre-Entrance Requirements
Before enrollment, several original documents need to be submitted after entry into Japan.
Also, please provide us with the necessary information for your entry into Japan. Please see the next page for more details.
Pre-arrival
Please check TU Support website for the process of entry into Japan and follow their instruction.
Apply for Support Services
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.
What to Bring
Here are things that you need to bring from your country to start life at TU.
□ Cash (approx. JPY 300,000)
□ Credit Card
□ Laptop Computer
□ (Wi-Fi router)*we recommend you buy it in Japan
□ LAN cable (You can get it in Japan)
□ Residence Card (if you are already a resident of Japan)
□ Social Security & Tax Number "My Number" (if you are already a resident of Japan)
□ US Social Security Number (the U.S. citizens or Green Card holders)
□ Medicine
* We recommend that you bring a few local snacks and traditional clothes to facilitate communication with Japanese students and people in the local community when participating in various events.
* All new students should have their own laptop computers and must bring a laptop to class when asked to do so by the instructor. Computer requirements can be found in the link below.
Post-Arrival Procedures
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.
Student Discount Pass for Sendai Public Transportation
Public Transportation (TU support) 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. |
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