People have different reasons for studying abroad, such as "for research purposes" or "to broaden their international perspective," but what options are available when considering studying abroad at graduate school? Here we will provide you with various information regarding studying abroad

Study Abroad Format

The length and method of study abroad will vary depending on the purpose. The University of Tokyo has agreements with well-known universities around the world and offers many open programs for those wishing to study abroad. These open programs allow you to receive various types of support from the university
There is also the option of applying individually. This has the advantage of being very flexible, but on the other hand, you are responsible for everything from gathering information to applying for documents and preparing the funds for your study abroad. However, you may be eligible for scholarships from the university, such as study abroad support for students enrolled in the International Graduate School of Excellence (such as the Graduate School of Engineering Overseas Training Program)

Study abroad type and implementing body (in the case of open recruitment)

Study period	Implementing body	remarks
Long-term study abroad (4 months to 1 year)	University of Tokyo Internal Affairs Department	University-wide agreements with famous schools Varies by graduate school
Short-term study abroad (2 weeks to 3 months)	International Organizations Overseas Universities	Research conferences, language training, etc

Graduate student study abroad rate

The University of Tokyo conducted this survey in 2019Survey on student lifeAccording to the survey, the rate of study abroad experience among graduate students is shown in the table below. While the rate of study abroad experience among all graduate students after enrollment is 9.7%, which does not seem all that high, it does show a significant increase from 4.7% to 19.1% from master's to doctoral programs, and some interesting facts can be gleaned from it, such as the fact that the rate of study abroad experience is higher among humanities students than science students. Also, although not included in the table below, 12.9% of respondents (master's: 8.1%, doctoral: 24.8%) answered that they had experience conducting academic research overseas, which is slightly higher than the numbers listed in the table below

Percentage of graduate students who have studied abroad

Study period	be	do not have
whole	9.7%	90.3%
master's program	4.7%	95.3%
doctoral course	19.1%	80.9%
Liberal arts	10.4%	89.6%
Science	9.4%	90.6%

From the 2019 Student Life Survey

The study abroad process

While the actual circumstances of studying abroad vary depending on the purpose and program, the general process is the same. Here we have summarized the steps you need to take before you can study abroad. For specific periods and documents you need to prepare, please refer to the website of the institution you are applying to

Information Collection

When considering studying abroad, first check the website of your graduate school and inquire with the department in charge of international exchange. This is because, as a general rule, students are required to complete the study abroad procedures through their graduate school. Some graduate schools have their own agreements with overseas universities, and these universities are often chosen as study abroad destinations where students can research fields close to their own specialization. If you are looking for general information about studying abroad rather than specific study abroad programs, you can visit the Go Global Center in the East Wing of the Faculty of Science Building 1 on Hongo University, or the Globalization Office on the first basement floor of 21 KOMCEE West on Komaba University
It is also the official overseas study information site of the University of TokyoGo to Global WebsiteIn addition to learning the basics of studying abroad, the site also has a comprehensive page with information sessions, scholarship programs, and personal testimonials. It also features information on overseas internships and international volunteering, in addition to studying abroad

What can you gain from studying abroad?

When studying abroad, it is important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages. Here, we have compiled a list of the most common points about what students at the University of Tokyo gained from studying abroad and things to be aware of, based on their actual experiences. For information about studying abroad for research purposes, please also refer to the study abroad experiences below

growth

○ I learned about foreign cultures
○ I gained a deeper understanding of Japan
○ I gained courage

language skills

○ Improved out of necessity
× I can't hear as well as I thought I could
× It's pointless if you don't actively speak up

job hunting

○ My perspective has changed and my horizons have broadened
△ Studying abroad alone is not enough to be evaluated
△ It is necessary to know the selection schedule

friend

○ I made friends all over the world
I learned to rely on friends
× Failing to build relationships leads to loneliness

Study Abroad Experience

N.W. (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences)
Destination: Moscow (Russia) Purpose: Field research Duration: 1 year

Selection of study abroad destination and purpose

I am majoring in Russian linguistics and wanted to conduct field research. Furthermore, in order to become a Russian language teacher in the future, I needed to study abroad for a certain period of time. At the recommendation of my supervisor, I studied abroad for a year at a university that has an agreement with my graduate school

Procedures taken

I contacted the person in charge at the host institution in advance and was introduced to a supervisor in a similar research field. Perhaps because of the exchange agreement, there were no complicated procedures. Also, due to the JSPS, I did not have to notify the University of Tokyo of a leave of absence, and instead simply went through the procedures for traveling abroad

Things to be careful about

First and foremost, it's important to clarify your goals and make a plan before studying abroad. My research didn't quite go as planned, but I still managed to achieve most of what I had envisioned. Preparing for study abroad can take longer than expected, so it's a good idea to start early. While many people find it confusing to spend time in a place with a different language and customs, I was able to have many valuable experiences. It really brought home to me how important it is to actually go to the local area when studying humanities

S.M. (Graduate School of Information Science and Technology)
Destination: Munich (Germany) Purpose: Overseas experience and earning credits Duration: 1 semester (6 months)

Selection of study abroad destination and purpose

While this is true for all science majors, as a computer science major, I use English daily for research purposes, such as reading papers. For this reason, even at the University of Tokyo, lectures dealing with cutting-edge content are often held in English. Having long been interested in living abroad, I thought, "If I'm going to be taking lectures in English anyway, I might as well take them at a university overseas and earn credits," and applied for a six-month exchange program through the graduate school program I belong to. I had always been interested in Europe, a multilingual cultural sphere, and chose a university in Germany as my study abroad destination, as the timing was the most convenient

Procedures taken

First, I contacted the international exchange department at my graduate school and prepared the necessary documents as instructed. I also took the TOEFL iBT and submitted the score. Furthermore, since my study abroad program was primarily focused on attending lectures on-site and earning credits, after consulting with the administrative staff at my department, I decided not to take any steps such as taking a leave of absence. Instead, I discussed with my supervisor the research I would conduct while studying abroad. It is extremely important to coordinate your research plan with your supervisor, especially when studying abroad to earn credits

Things to be careful about

I wanted to complete my study abroad without extending my master's degree, but achieving this required thorough information exchange with my supervisor, departmental administrative staff, and the administrative staff in charge of studying abroad. This is an important aspect of studying abroad in general, so it's a good idea to get into the habit of contacting the appropriate people and departments whenever you have any uncertainties. Some students may also want to experience an internship abroad while studying abroad, but these typically last two to three months, so if you're considering it, it's best to start preparing before you actually go abroad. I learned that German student visas allow for internships, and I applied for an internship using the one month after classes ended, but my application was rejected because one month was too short