Opportunities Abroad

Opportunities Abroad

As a University of Lethbridge student interested in Asian Studies, there are many opportunities for you to travel abroad. Participating in a student exchange opportunity at one of our partner institutions in Asia can add an invaluable element to a well-rounded and successful academic experience.

University of Lethbridge students who wish to participate in an approved exchange program will first contact the International Centre for Students. There are currently approved Asia exchange programs at institutions in China, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Some exchange programs are only available to students in specific Faculties or programs at the University of Lethbridge.
Exchange programs arranged by the Dhillon School of Business at the U of L:

There are also eligible exchange programs in Asia beyond those arranged by the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge.

At the U of L:

Hokkai-Gakuen University (Sapporo, Japan)

Course Options: Visit the International Centre for Students for details on courses that you may study. Note: As language of instruction is Japanese, it is recommended that applicants have completed JAPA 2000 or equivalent prior to departure.

Hokkai Gakuen University: The University of Lethbridge has enjoyed a reciprocal relationship with Hokkai Gakuen University for more than 25 years. In true Japanese fashion, our exchange students are treated extremely well, and experience a broad range of Japanese traditional cultural activities during their stay in Japan. The university has faculties in Humanities, Economics, Law, Business Administration, and Engineering. The university boasts an enjoyable campus life where students may develop lasting friendships with other students and professors of diverse backgrounds and specialties.

Accommodations: Students are assisted with finding accommodations, usually a shared apartment with other students. In some circumstances, exchange students may be eligible for subsidized housing.

Sapporo: Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan, with 1.8 million residents. Sapporo's climate is characterized by refreshing summers and cold, snowy winters. There are four distinct seasons, and cumulative snowfall reaches five meters in winter. Few cities at this latitude see such heavy snowfall.

Since 1986, students from Hokkai-Gakuen and the U of L have visited in alternating years for a month in the summer.

This exchange is believed to be the longest running Japanese-Canadian exchange program of its kind. While in Lethbridge, Japanese students receive English language training and experience Canadian culture and heritage.

In Japan, Canadian students spend the morning in Japanese language training and lectures on various topics of Japanese life. In the afternoon the students are exposed to Japanese cultural exploration activities ranging from crafts like origami, calligraphy, pottery to judo and kendo demonstrations.

Further Information: For further information, visit the International Centre for Students at the University of Lethbridge in SU047 or email us at international@uleth.ca

Study Tour of Japan

Typically in Summer Session 1

Location: Hokkai-Gakuen University, Sapporo, Japan

The Study Tour to Japan will include:

  1. Basic, conversational, Japanese language skill development;
  2. Traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and society;
  3. Japan and the Western World; and
  4. Cultural activities and excursions, including travel to Nara, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.

The program will entail classroom activity prior to departure to Japan, as well as classroom and field study facilitated by Hokkai-Gakuen once in Japan. This course may be taken for interdisciplinary study credit, and students will be required to complete a number of written assignments in order to complete the course.

Beyond U of L:

For example, Study Abroad in India | This is an established summer program, held jointly between the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and Mount Allison University, focusing on social issues. Any upper-level undergraduate student in Canada can apply, providing that they have shown an interest in South Asia through their course work. I don't think, at this stage, that we would need to contact them about this, since the program is already up and running and open to any student in Canada.