Important Information for Exchange Students Coming to Niigata University in April 2012

Japanese Visa Requirements:
Please prepare your Notification of Admission, Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status, and passport, along with any other necessary documents, and apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your own country. We recommend that you contact the diplomatic mission in advance and ask what documents must be submitted.

Accommodation:
Exchange students have priority in using accommodation at International House or apartments leased by Niigata University. Information on the apartments (overview, accommodation charges, etc.) can be found HERE. You will be informed about the application procedures at a later date. Requests for particular accommodation are accepted; however, there is no guarantee as to whether such requests will be met. You will be notified of the final decision regarding your accommodation in early March.
The residence halls will open on April 2. You are required to come to Niigata University between April 2 and 5. Students who will arrive before April 2 must arrange for accommodation at a hotel by themselves.

Futons and Bedclothes:
The accommodation offered by Niigata University does not come furnished with futon (Japanese-style bedding) or bedclothes. You may make your own arrangements after your arrival or request the university to arrange bedclothes at your expense prior to your arrival. We will ask you about your preference at a later date. The bedding items the university can arrange include: pillows, quilts, futon, and covers for each, for the total price of approximately 8,500 yen (to be paid upon your arrival).

Address for Sending Luggage:
You will be informed of the address of your accommodation in early March. If you have any luggage to send, it can be sent to this address. Please ship your luggage so that it will arrive after your arrival so that you will be here to receive it.

Plug Type:
If you plan to bring electric appliances from your home countrty, be sure to also bring an electric transformer adapter by yourself. Power outlets in Niigata provide 100 volt of power 50 Hz and its plug type is A.

Coming to Japan:
- Exchange students should arrive at Niigata University between April 2 and 5 (Mon - Thu). The residence halls will open on April 2 and the orientation will start on Thursday, April 2. Students who will arrive before April 2 must arrange for accommodation at a hotel by themselves.
- A pick-up service (free of charge, Niigata Station/Niigata Airport – Residence Hall) will be provided on April 3, 4 and 5, between 9:30am and 6:30pm. The service is also available to those coming from Seoul to Niigata Airport at 7:50pm on those three days.
- At Niigata Airport, students will be met at the international flight passengers' exit. At Niigata Station, students will be met at the bottom of escalators connecting to the Shinkansen platform.
- It is preferable that students from the same university should travel together and take the same flight.
- If students choose to travel on your own, they should come to the International Affairs Division in the Sogo-kyoiku-kenkyu-toh Building at the Ikarashi campus before going to the residence hall. Office is open between 8:30am and 5:15 pm on weekdays. :Access/Campus Map

Schedule after Arrival in Japan (Tentative):
- April 5 - 6 (Thu - Fri): Japanese course guidance, intensive Japanese course placement test
- April 9 (Mon): Orientation sessions, course opening ceremony
- April 11 (Wed): Classes start
- April 17 (Tue): Course registration (Apply for classes you wish to take by this date.)
* An International Affairs Division staff member or a Japanese student will help international students with alien registration at the city hall, setting up a bank account, and shopping for daily necessities.

Personal Seals:
If you already have a personal seal, please bring it with you. You might find it convenient to have one during your stay since a personal seal is used on various occasions in Japan.

Photos:
Please bring 3 identification photos (45mm×35mm) with you for your alien registration, etc.

FAQs

Exchange students at Niigata University fall into the following categories:

What subjects can I choose?
Exchange students can select classes from the following options:
(1) Specialized classes in either English or Chinese
(2) Japanese Language Classes
- Intensive: for Beginner/ Primary/ Intermediate/ Advanced (Classes meet 10times per week)
- Regular: for Primary/ Intermediate (Classes meet 3 times per week)
(3) General Subjects
Exchange students are also able to choose classes taught in Japanese which are offered to degree-seeking students of Niigata University. : Search Syllabus

Are there any compulsory subjects?
There are no compulsory subjects. However, the Japanese Immigration Bureau's rules stipulate that international students must take taught classes or conduct research for more than 10 hours (600 minutes) per week. Since each class is 90 minutes long, students who are not undertaking research will need to take at least 7 taught classes per week.

Will the credits I get at Niigata University be transferred to my home university?
This is a decision for your home university to make. Please be sure to consult your university about credit transfer rules before you study abroad. Niigata University confers 2 credits to students for each subject they pass (90 min x 15 times, a total of 1,350 min.) and 1 credit for each foreign language class of the same length (1,350 min.) including Japanese language classes.

How much money will I initially need when I arrive in Japan?
- Accommodation entry expense: 30,000 - 41,000 yen
- Rent for the month of April 5,900 - 7,100 yen
- Bedding items (futon, quilt, pillow, sheets): approx. 8,500 yen
- Tableware and utensils: approx. 4,000 yen
- Textbooks: Prices of textbooks and study materials vary, but they may cost over 10,000 yen for students enrolled in an Intensive Japanese Course.
- Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (compulsory for all Niigata University students): 1,340 yen
- Fee-paying students will need to pay their tuition by the end of the first month (April).

How much are monthly living expenses?
- Rent: 5,900 - 7,100 yen
- Utilities (electricity, water and gas): approx. 15,000 yen
- National health-insurance: approx. 2,000 yen
- Food: approximately 25,000 yen if you cook yourself (meals at the university cafeteria range from 300 - 500 yen）
- In addition, you will need to pay for the phone and other daily necessities.

Do I pay the tuition monthly, or by semester (for tuition-paying students)?
- Special Auditing Students will receive an invoice from Niigata University at the start of each semester (April and October) for the tuition （14,800 yen per credit hour. 10 credit-hour Intensive Japanese Course will cost 148,000 yen）. Please bring the invoice to a bank to make a payment by the end of the month.
- Special Research Students will receive an invoice every 3 months for the tuition for the respective period of 3 months (April to June, July to September, etc.) Monthly tuition is 29,700 yen. Please bring the invoice to a bank to make a payment by the end of the month.


Contact:
International Affairs Division
Niigata University
2-8050 Ikarashi, Nishi-ku, Niigata-shi 950-2181, Japan
Tel: +81-25-262-7632 / Fax: +81-25-262-7519
intl@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp