Support

International Exchange Center

The International Exchange Center provides a diverse range of services for “international students working hard in Japan to achieve their dreams,” to help them pursue a fulfilled student life. The Center provides support for their day to day life in Japan, support for learning Japanese, assistance in dealing with the Immigration Bureau, etc. The Center also conducts activities to provide support for language education for the entire population of Shobi University, including Japanese students, such as academic exchange with universities overseas.

Organization and Operations

International Exchange Center
International Students Support Operations	Language education related operations
Recruiting related activities for regular students as well as for students returning from overseas (acceptance of applications sent in from domestic as well as overseas locations and document screening) Advice on student life Various scholarships Student registration management (registration, study, and part-time work) Assistance for matters related to the Immigration Bureau, mediated application, and proxy application services related to the acquisition of resident visa status (Foreign Students) Provision of various events and multicultural interchange activities for international students Communicating and liaising activities with relevant embassies and consulates in relation to registered international students Provision of institutional guarantee for entering into lease agreements for apartments and other accommodations Emergency response actions related to accidents, crime, and other incidents	Support for language studies Implementation of speech contests Mini Japanese lessons Support for entrance examinations provided to individuals with BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test qualifications (score of 530 or higher for J1) and Japanese Language Proficiency TestN1 qualifications Support and implementation of group participation in taking language tests Support for activities of International Exchange Associations Plan and implementation of cross-cultural experiences Dispatching and receiving individuals on short-term overseas language training Mutual interchanges with universities in Europe and the Americas, as well as in Asia. Consultation and provision of information regarding overseas language studies

Scholarship Support

University's scholarship assistance program

Registered Honor Student Tuition Exemption Program

Individuals with superior academic performance are selected from among registered students as honor students; they are given tuition exemption to encourage their studies.

[Eligible departments] All departments of all faculties

[Details] Partial or full tuition exemption

[Eligible persons] Three individuals from each department of each faculty with the highest records of academic performance (GPA) in years 2 to 4

Registered International Honor Student Tuition Exemption program

International students with superior academic performance that were not are selected from among registered students as honor students are also given tuition exemption to encourage their studies.

[Eligible departments] All departments of all faculties

[Details] All tuition exempted for the corresponding academic year

[Eligible persons] 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students with top 10% GPA, 1 students from each department and each year

International Students with Superior Entrance Examination Scores Tuition Exemption Program

Privately funded international students who have taken the entrance examination for admission to the Faculty of Informatics for Arts, who exhibit superior academic performance, are given tuition exemption to encourage their studies.

[Eligible departments] All departments in Faculty of Informatics for Arts

[Details] All or half of tuition exempted for the first academic year

[Eligible persons] Available for talented students who have outstanding results at the entrance examination.

Entrance Fee Reduction Program for Students with Superior Academic Performance on Entrance Examination

International students who have participated in the entrance examination, who have passed the examinations with superior academic performance, are given an entrance fee reduction.

[Eligible departments] Department in the Faculty of Policy Management

[Details] Partial admission fee exemption

[Eligible persons] Available for talented students who have outstanding results at the entrance examination.

Entrance Fee Reduction Program for Students with Recommendations from Domestic and Overseas Sister Institutions Passing Entrance Examination

Students who passed the entrance requirements with recommendations from presidents and principals of domestic or overseas sister or affiliated institutions are given entrance fee reduction to reduce their burden on the amount of academic fees paid for the first academic year.

[Eligible departments] All departments of all faculties

[Details] Entrance fee is reduced by 30%.

[Eligible persons] Individuals who passed entrance examination with recommendations from domestic and overseas sister or affiliated institutions.

Shobi University Entrance Fee Exemption Program for Children and Siblings of Alumni

The total amount of the entrance fee at an institution established by Shobi Gakuen is exempted for children and siblings of alumni from Shobi University.

Qualification Acquisition Scholarship

1. The test fee is provided as a scholarship when an international student passes the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test while registered with the University.

[Eligible persons] International students of all faculties.

[Provided amount of funds] Total amount of N1 test fee.

2. The test fee is provided as a scholarship when an international student takes the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test administered by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation with a score of 530 points (J1 level) or higher while registered with the University.

[Eligible persons] International students of all faculties.

[Provided amount of funds] Total amount of the test fee.

Other scholarships

Other assistance

Advisor System

The advisor keeps track of the students' progress with his/her studies and objectively analyzes the future paths of students along with their potential to offer accurate advice in setting directions and determining courses for completing their studies. In addition to the advisors offering guidance and advice relating to studies, the International Exchange Center provides a variety of assistance and support, such as instructions related to issues concerning resident visa qualifications, as well as mediation services for application of visas and application of scholarships so that international students may concentrate on their studies with peace of mind, as well as participation in various student activities.

Japanese Language Courses

Students may earn up to a total of 18 academic credits by taking courses related to Japanese language, such as the Japanese Language, Japanese Culture, Japanese language literacy, as well as Preparatory Course for Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

Japanese language learning support

Japanese language teaching faculties are providing assistance for students wishing to improve their Japanese language skills, four times a week. Students may also receive instruction on work related to Japanese language studies or strategies for taking qualification tests, in general, at any time.

Acquisition of Qualifications

Students can simply take on the challenge of taking qualification tests or enroll in regular classes to prepare for them (book keeping certification tests, TOEFL, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, MOS, IT Passport test, stage system control, etc.). Furthermore, the Student Career Center offers sessions, educational programs, and seminars to help students master qualification acquisition strategies; it also offers opportunities for students to participate in practical double schooling programs available on campus. Lessons can be taken from superior teaching faculties at reasonable rates.

International Exchange Association

International students participate in activities organized by a club recognized by the University, the “International Exchange Association.” Students are encouraged to improve their autonomy, cooperation, responsibility, and social adaptability by participating in new student welcome parties, university fairs, and interchange with students of other universities and high schools in the local area, as well as social observation tours, home stay programs, and such cross-cultural activities.

Student Dormitories

Students are introduced to affiliated student union and companies that manage condominiums used by the students of this University, as the University does not have any dedicated student dormitories. The University may also provide university guarantee (institutional guarantee) on behalf of international students who have superior scholastic and academic performances and do not have any particular issues related to payments or social life.

Affiliated student union: http://www.gakuseikaikan.com/dp/shobi-u/
University student condominium: http://unilife.co.jp/

Support for Employment in Japan

The Student Career Center sponsors classes such as career strategy seminars, career designing, practical sessions on careers and internships, as well as company introductions on campus, seminars for career and employment, and seminars provided by the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners. Furthermore, assistance through activities intended to open up employment specifically for international students are also being conducted, and students desiring to seek employment in Japan are advised to utilize services provided, and have a consultation as early as possible. Instructions for application to change the visa status of students who have gained employment with domestic employers are provided by the International Exchange Center.

Cross-cultural Exchanges

Efforts are being made to offer international students various opportunities to take part in exchanges with people of local communities, through pro-active participation in cross-cultural exchange projects conducted by elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools in Kawagoe City and neighboring areas. Participations in cross-cultural exchanges outside the University will allow students to further expand their perspectives.

Mediation for applications to Immigration Bureau

The University takes responsibility to screen all documents for applications to extend resident status periods, to apply for new visas, as well as to obtain permissions to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence with the Immigration Bureau. These screenings are conducted all at once during the months of February and March, which is the period during which many students must renew their visas.

Student Life Support Program

General Student Assistance Office

Dedicated staff members will work with students to resolve problems they come across in student life, such as complex issues (e.g., difficulties with studies, personal issues, etc.) about which students may not be sure of “where” the assistance is available or “who” can help.

Practical assistance will also be provided in response to a diverse range of characteristics students may have, including disabilities, to ensure that students can lead an autonomous student life, in collaboration with staff members of the Counseling Room and the Infirmary, as well as teaching faculty members.

Office Hours

Consultation periods have been established for the purpose of deepening exchanges between students and faculty members. Consultation hours for the respective faculty members can be checked on the schedule chart.

Infirmary

First aid emergency care is provided to deal with unforeseen injuries and illnesses on campus. Health related consultations are also provided.

Counseling Room

Counselors with specialist qualifications are available for consultations on issues such as psychological fatigue arising from personal relationships, lack of motivation, or other psychological issues.

Information Services

Fast-speed LAN has been installed on campus. LAN connectors and wireless LAN access points have been established at various locations throughout the campus, ranging from class rooms to cafeteria.

Collection and exchange of information is possible for students at any desired location, simply by connecting the computer to the network. Syllabi, documents and notices related to student life, use of facilities, and a variety of other campus information provided by clerical offices can be accessed from a computer at any time and place.

Dormitories

The student union affiliated with the University offers fully equipped facilities and services to ensure that students can lead their lives with peace of mind, in a calm environment. There are also buildings that are equipped with music (soundproof) rooms where students can practice their musical instruments without any concern about people in the surrounding areas. All student unions are managed by reliable husband and wife teams of building managers who provide support to ensure a pleasant life for the students.

Part-time Work

Part-time Work on Campus

Shobi University recruits students for part-time work to perform tasks to assist in the proceedings of various types of events that are held on campus. Experiences that students gain through part-time work performed on campus prove to be very valuable experiences for them in their future employment; similar to internships (corporate training) they take part in at outside corporations.

Part-time work offered by the University is available for students to participate at their own free will, and the hourly rates are set to JPY850 for undergraduate students and JPY880 for graduate students, which can offset the cost of living expenses.

Part-time work consigned to Kawagoe City International Center

Shobi University is coordinating with entities such as the International Division of Kawagoe City to implement international exchange in a pro-active manner. Students of the University are assigned to perform tasks on behalf of the International Division of the Sports Department of Kawagoe City, in order to improve the efficiency of the management operations of the International Center of Kawagoe City. Assigned tasks include reception duties at the International Center of Kawagoe City and the Women's Activity Support Office on behalf of the students, to make pro-active contributions to the international exchange in the local area.

Regular Part-time Work

Many international students file applications seeking permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence with the Immigration Bureau, for example, to work up to 28 hours per week and up to 8 hours a day during extended holidays. The hourly rates vary depending on the employer, but it is estimated to be between JPY800 to JPY1,000 when employed for up to 28 hours a week. This results in a monthly income of about JPY90,000 to JPY110,000, which can play a significant role in offsetting students' expenses during their stay in Japan.

Introduction of Staff Members of the International Exchange Center