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Life in Japan
1. Housing
Nagoya University operates one mixed Japanese/international student dormitory (International Ohmeikan), and three dormitories used exclusively by international students (International Residence - Higashiyama; International Residence - Yamate; Foreign Student House). International Ohmeikan houses sixty international students; the latter three residences contain a total of 244 rooms for single students, twenty-five apartments for married couples and two apartments for families. In principle, all NUPACE students are accommodated in International Ohmeikan, International Residence - Yamate, both a ten-minute walk from Higashiyama campus, or International Residence - Higashiyama (on-campus). In International Ohmeikan, each individual study/bedroom is fully furnished and installed with a unit bathroom, with kitchens being shared. International Residence Yamate and Higashiyama provide fully furnished study/bedrooms, which include a kitchenette and unit bathroom.
Please refer to http://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/academics/daily-life/housing/ in details.
2. Health Care
All NUPACE students are required to join the Japan National Health Insurance (JNHI) programme. For a monthly fee of approximately ¥1,700, JNHI policyholders are entitled to a 70% discount on most medical and dental fees incurred. We are aware that many incoming students are covered by private/home university insurance schemes. However, considering 1) that medical expenses in Japan are relatively high, 2) that Japanese medical facilities do not accept foreign insurance policies in lieu of payment and, 3) that students will, therefore, have to wait a minimum of two months to be reimbursed by their home insurance policies, NUPACE policy is to require Japan National Health Insurance subscription from all students.
Please refer to http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/faq/faq04e.html.
Nagoya University houses a Health Administration Office at which emergency treatment for illness and injury is performed free of charge. The Office additionally serves to refer students to hospitals, where deemed necessary.
3. Life, Accident and Personal Liability Insurance Schemes
The Nagoya University Co-operative offers life insurance and personal liability insurance options at extremely competitive rates. All NUPACE students are required to take out personal liability insurance during their exchange at Nagoya University at the reasonable cost of ¥1,500 per year.
4. Counselling
All schools at Nagoya University house international student advising or exchange facilities at which overseas students may consult on matters concerning their studies and daily life in Japan. In addition, the Advising and Counselling Services Section of the Education Centre for International Students possesses expertise in supporting international students in a variety of areas, including mental health. In collaboration with these schools, the faculty and staff of NUPACE endeavour to render the stay of overseas students a more comfortable and fulfilling one by providing additional advising and resource services. These cover a wide range of issues including administrative procedures, relations with academic faculty, scholarships, accommodation, immigration and residence procedures, family issues and general health.
5. Computer Access
All Nagoya University students, including NUPACE students, have access to computers running on the Microsoft Windows operating system, located on campus. The university computer lab does not offer a 24 hour service, however, and students in possession of their own laptops are recommended to bring these to Japan. Indeed, as the Education Centre for International Students (ECIS) became a completely "wireless zone" in 2010, NUPACE students with laptops may freely use designated sections of this building for Internet access and for their studies. Access is guaranteed on any day between 08:00 until 22:00.
With regard to Internet services provided in university accommodation, students who reside in International Ohmeikan may, after subscribing to a designated Internet Provider, and for a monthly fee of approximately \3,500, use personal laptops in their rooms. International Residence - Higashiyama, by contrast, provides a "wireless zone".
6. Tutors (Buddy System)
All NUPACE students are eligible to receive the services of a tutor, a fellow student majoring in a similar field of study. Tutoring assistance is available for up to forty hours per semester, and tutors' responsibilities may include, 1) meeting NUPACE students upon arrival in Japan, 2) assistance with university paperwork and official procedures after arrival, 3) advice on the use of university facilities related to academic studies, 4) assistance and guidance with regard to lectures, research, experiments, course preparation, and reports, 5) Japanese language and conversation support, 6) introduction of Japanese culture and customs.
7. Extracurricular Activities
Nagoya University has a wide range of cultural and sports clubs, officially boasting fifty-three of the former and forty-three of the latter, with a total membership of 3,500 students. These provide international and Japanese students with an excellent opportunity to mix, and thus participate in a cross-cultural learning experience.
8. Cross-cultural Exchange Groups
There is a host of volunteer groups involved with international students both amongst the campus community and outside. These depend for their existence on the co-operation of each and every international student, and greatly contribute to enriching student and community life. Information on these groups will be made available at the general orientation for NUPACE students.
9. Exchange Activities outside Nagoya
During the spring, summer and winter vacations, various associations host home-visits or camping activities. If taken advantage of properly, these present an excellent opportunity to deepen one's knowledge of Japan at comparatively little cost. Home-visit possibilities include places as far afield as Hokkaido and Kyushu.
10. Part-time Work
International students wishing to engage in remunerative activities should apply for a work permit at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau after their arrival in Japan. Where permission is granted, students may work for a maximum of twenty-eight hours per week during the semester, and up to eight hours per day during long vacations. More detailed information is provided at the NUPACE orientation session.
11. Climate & Clothes
The climate in Nagoya, although generally mild, is distinguished by its humidity and marked seasonal changes. In general, autumn is dry, cool, and pleasant. Winter (December to February) can prove cold with minimum temperatures of -5℃ (23ºF), highs of 9℃ (48ºF), piercing winds and the occasional snowfall. Spring (March to May) is the time of cherry blossoms and new beginnings, including the Japanese academic and fiscal years. Summer, heralded by the 'rainy season' in June, is extremely hot and muggy with temperatures peaking at around 38℃ (100ºF) in August. Temperatures start to drop in mid-September and around this time the Japanese archipelago experiences the 'typhoon season'.
Students should bear these seasonal changes in mind when choosing what clothes to bring to Japan. They are also advised that it may prove challenging to find larger than average clothes and shoe sizes.
Nagoya University operates one mixed Japanese/international student dormitory (International Ohmeikan), and three dormitories used exclusively by international students (International Residence - Higashiyama; International Residence - Yamate; Foreign Student House). International Ohmeikan houses sixty international students; the latter three residences contain a total of 244 rooms for single students, twenty-five apartments for married couples and two apartments for families. In principle, all NUPACE students are accommodated in International Ohmeikan, International Residence - Yamate, both a ten-minute walk from Higashiyama campus, or International Residence - Higashiyama (on-campus). In International Ohmeikan, each individual study/bedroom is fully furnished and installed with a unit bathroom, with kitchens being shared. International Residence Yamate and Higashiyama provide fully furnished study/bedrooms, which include a kitchenette and unit bathroom.
Please refer to http://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/academics/daily-life/housing/ in details.
2. Health Care
All NUPACE students are required to join the Japan National Health Insurance (JNHI) programme. For a monthly fee of approximately ¥1,700, JNHI policyholders are entitled to a 70% discount on most medical and dental fees incurred. We are aware that many incoming students are covered by private/home university insurance schemes. However, considering 1) that medical expenses in Japan are relatively high, 2) that Japanese medical facilities do not accept foreign insurance policies in lieu of payment and, 3) that students will, therefore, have to wait a minimum of two months to be reimbursed by their home insurance policies, NUPACE policy is to require Japan National Health Insurance subscription from all students.
Please refer to http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/faq/faq04e.html.
Nagoya University houses a Health Administration Office at which emergency treatment for illness and injury is performed free of charge. The Office additionally serves to refer students to hospitals, where deemed necessary.
3. Life, Accident and Personal Liability Insurance Schemes
The Nagoya University Co-operative offers life insurance and personal liability insurance options at extremely competitive rates. All NUPACE students are required to take out personal liability insurance during their exchange at Nagoya University at the reasonable cost of ¥1,500 per year.
4. Counselling
All schools at Nagoya University house international student advising or exchange facilities at which overseas students may consult on matters concerning their studies and daily life in Japan. In addition, the Advising and Counselling Services Section of the Education Centre for International Students possesses expertise in supporting international students in a variety of areas, including mental health. In collaboration with these schools, the faculty and staff of NUPACE endeavour to render the stay of overseas students a more comfortable and fulfilling one by providing additional advising and resource services. These cover a wide range of issues including administrative procedures, relations with academic faculty, scholarships, accommodation, immigration and residence procedures, family issues and general health.
5. Computer Access
All Nagoya University students, including NUPACE students, have access to computers running on the Microsoft Windows operating system, located on campus. The university computer lab does not offer a 24 hour service, however, and students in possession of their own laptops are recommended to bring these to Japan. Indeed, as the Education Centre for International Students (ECIS) became a completely "wireless zone" in 2010, NUPACE students with laptops may freely use designated sections of this building for Internet access and for their studies. Access is guaranteed on any day between 08:00 until 22:00.
With regard to Internet services provided in university accommodation, students who reside in International Ohmeikan may, after subscribing to a designated Internet Provider, and for a monthly fee of approximately \3,500, use personal laptops in their rooms. International Residence - Higashiyama, by contrast, provides a "wireless zone".
6. Tutors (Buddy System)
All NUPACE students are eligible to receive the services of a tutor, a fellow student majoring in a similar field of study. Tutoring assistance is available for up to forty hours per semester, and tutors' responsibilities may include, 1) meeting NUPACE students upon arrival in Japan, 2) assistance with university paperwork and official procedures after arrival, 3) advice on the use of university facilities related to academic studies, 4) assistance and guidance with regard to lectures, research, experiments, course preparation, and reports, 5) Japanese language and conversation support, 6) introduction of Japanese culture and customs.
7. Extracurricular Activities
Nagoya University has a wide range of cultural and sports clubs, officially boasting fifty-three of the former and forty-three of the latter, with a total membership of 3,500 students. These provide international and Japanese students with an excellent opportunity to mix, and thus participate in a cross-cultural learning experience.
8. Cross-cultural Exchange Groups
There is a host of volunteer groups involved with international students both amongst the campus community and outside. These depend for their existence on the co-operation of each and every international student, and greatly contribute to enriching student and community life. Information on these groups will be made available at the general orientation for NUPACE students.
9. Exchange Activities outside Nagoya
During the spring, summer and winter vacations, various associations host home-visits or camping activities. If taken advantage of properly, these present an excellent opportunity to deepen one's knowledge of Japan at comparatively little cost. Home-visit possibilities include places as far afield as Hokkaido and Kyushu.
10. Part-time Work
International students wishing to engage in remunerative activities should apply for a work permit at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau after their arrival in Japan. Where permission is granted, students may work for a maximum of twenty-eight hours per week during the semester, and up to eight hours per day during long vacations. More detailed information is provided at the NUPACE orientation session.
11. Climate & Clothes
The climate in Nagoya, although generally mild, is distinguished by its humidity and marked seasonal changes. In general, autumn is dry, cool, and pleasant. Winter (December to February) can prove cold with minimum temperatures of -5℃ (23ºF), highs of 9℃ (48ºF), piercing winds and the occasional snowfall. Spring (March to May) is the time of cherry blossoms and new beginnings, including the Japanese academic and fiscal years. Summer, heralded by the 'rainy season' in June, is extremely hot and muggy with temperatures peaking at around 38℃ (100ºF) in August. Temperatures start to drop in mid-September and around this time the Japanese archipelago experiences the 'typhoon season'.
Students should bear these seasonal changes in mind when choosing what clothes to bring to Japan. They are also advised that it may prove challenging to find larger than average clothes and shoe sizes.
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