Program Calendar & Courses

Program Calendar

Day 1	? Mandatory Check-in Times ? Opening Ceremony and Orientation *All students are required to arrive by the designated time on Day 1 and attend the Opening Ceremony and Orientation.
Day 2	? Placement Test ? Orientation
Day 3	? Placement Test Results Announced ? Classes Begin
Last Program Day	? Last Day of Classes ? Closing Ceremony *All students are required to attend the Closing Ceremony, which is a part of the Summer Program. Students can check-out AFTER the Ceremony (See the “Check-out Day” explanation, below).
Check-out Day	Students can check out after the end of the Closing Ceremony, but free buses to Akita Airport and Akita Station will run only on the Check-out Day (one day after the Closing Ceremony). ? Bedding and Room Inspection *Students must be present for bedding and room inspection when moving out. ? Check-out

Program Calendar is subject to change.

Daily Schedule

	Weekdays	Weekends & Holidays
9:00 am – 9:50 am	Japanese Language Class	No classes (field trips, events, free time, etc.**)
10:00 am – 10:50 am	Japanese Language Class
11:00 am – 11:50 am	Japanese Language Class
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm	Lunch in the Cafeteria
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm	Conversation Practice*
2:00 pm –	Japanese Culture Workshops* etc.

*Conversation Practice and Japanese Culture Workshops are only on scheduled weekdays.

**In their free time, including weekdays after Conversation Practice and Japanese Culture Workshops, participants can join AIU club/circle activities, the Foreign Language Conversation Partner Program, and Japanese Conversation Day (Themed House activities), alongside AIU Degree-seeking and regular-semester international exchange students.

Program Schedule

Please refer to the schedule below.
Example of previous year’s program schedule

Japanese Culture Workshops and Field Trips

The Summer Program offers culture workshops, field trips to local sites, and opportunities to appreciate traditional Japanese culture. Students in previous Summer Programs participated in the following culture workshops and field trips:

Japanese Culture Workshops

Shodo (Calligraphy)

Shodo is one of the Japanese traditional arts. Students learn how to write Kanji and Hiragana in an artistic way with a brush and India ink called sumi.

Kimono Wearing

The kimono, a beautiful traditional garment, is a source of pride for Japanese people. Up until the Edo period, the kimono was worn as everyday attire by both Japanese men and women. In this program, participants will be taught how to wear a summer cotton kimono called a yukata.

Sado (Tea Ceremony)

Sado is the traditional Japanese way of drinking tea in accordance with set rules of etiquette. Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness during the tea ceremony.

Kendo (Japanese Fencing)

Zazen (Zen meditation)

*The optional activities are subject to change.

Field Trips

Kakunodate is an old castle town located in eastern central Akita prefecture. Kakunodate was established in 1620 by Yoshikatsu ASHINA, the ruler of the Kakunodate area. This town has been known for its historic samurai mansions since the Edo era and remains popular with tourists from all over the world. It has an atmosphere truly appropriate to its nickname of “Little Kyoto.” The feel of traditional Japan is preserved in this quaint town.

Semboku City Sightseeing Information:
https://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/en/ 
Tazawako-Kakunodate TRAVEL GUIDE:
https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/en/ 

*Japanese Culture Workshops and Field trip destinations are subject to change.

Extracurricular Activities

Club Activities

At AIU, there are many extracurricular activity groups catering to students’ various interests, including sports, culture, and community outreach activities. Since AIU students can communicate both in English and Japanese, the environment makes it easy for all international students including the Summer Program participants to get involved, and they are warmly welcomed. 
Through the extra-curricular activities, students can gain valuable experiences that go beyond those offered in daily life or the Summer Program itself. 
Information about extracurricular activity groups will be introduced during the orientation upon student’s arrival.