Other Programs

Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies

Established in 1989, the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS), is a rigorous, two-semester academic program primarily for undergraduates wishing to do advanced work in the Japanese language and in Japanese studies. The program is open to all qualified students who have completed two or more years of college-level Japanese language at the time of enrollment.

KCJS is administered by Columbia University on behalf of Stanford and the other 13 American university members of the consortium. The program admits up to 40-50 students, mostly from the consortium schools, each year. Students are encouraged to integrate into the local community by living with a Japanese family and through participation in a variety of extracurricular activities that provide a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. For additional information, please refer to the KCJS website.

Stanford students may apply for one or two of the six semester slots supported by the Bing Overseas Studies Program.  Students who are accepted for these positions remain enrolled at Stanford while studying at KCJS, giving them uninterrupted eligibility for financial aid and allowing their courses and grades to be recorded directly on their transcripts. Stanford campus inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Application Process

Stanford students must apply through the Columbia University online application system at www.kcjs.columbia.edu.

The application consists of:

1. Columbia University online application
2. Academic recommendation
3. Language recommendation
4. Study Abroad Approval Form (to be completed by the Bing Overseas Studies Program)
5. Official transcript
6. KCJS scholarship application, if applicable (please see the separate deadline on the KCJS program website)
7. Stanford study abroad registration (to be completed thorugh the Bing Overseas Program's website at http://www.stanfordoverseas.com/applications/applications.asp)

• Your official transcript (#5) should be submitted to the Bing Overseas Studies Program (located on the ground floor of Sweet Hall) before the stated campus application deadline, which will then be mailed directly to Columbia University.
• In order to have your Study Abroad Approval Form completed, please email BOSP at least one week before the stated application deadline.
• You will be asked to scan and unload your transcript when completing your online application. You must therefore request 2 copies of official transcripts, one for yourself to scan and upload on your online application, and one in a sealed envelope for submission to the Bing Overseas Studies Program.

The Stanford campus application deadline for the Fall Semester and Academic Year 2013-14 is January 27, 2013 at 11:59PM PST. Interested students should stop by the BOSP office for more information or visit the "How do I apply" page to start the application.

Program Summary

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