Waseda University

A semester-long, regular exchange option is now available in addition to the Global Leadership Fellows Program. Students who are interested in studying away at Waseda for one semester pay now apply. Students from interdisciplinary backgrounds may apply. Please see Waseda's website for more information on potential study options and course lists.

The Waseda Global Leadership Fellows Program is an exchange program quite unlike any of Dartmouth's off-campus options. Global Leadership Fellows selected from Dartmouth, Columbia, Berkeley, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, University of Washington, and Waseda University participate in a nine-month program comprised of a seminar and a student-led forum focusing on issues related to the Asia Pacific region such as international relations, security, health, and environmental degradation.

The program typically includes a two-week field trip to Beijing where Global Leadership Fellows acquire China's perspective on the issues addressed in the seminar and forum. Global Leadership fellows have priority access to a range of internships and volunteer activities to further enhance the experiential learning aspects of the student-led forum.

In addition to the Global Leadership seminar and forum, students continue to progress toward completion of their Dartmouth majors or minors by selecting courses from Waseda's curriculum. Waseda offers more than three hundred courses covering a wide array of disciplines and subjects in the social sciences and humanities all of which are taught in English.

Founded in 1882, Waseda University is considered one of Japan's most prestigious universities. Waseda is a private institution that consistently ranks among Japan's top national universities. With decades of experience and partnerships with universities around the world, Waseda's exchange programs are recognized for their innovative excellence. Waseda is located in the heart of Tokyo, giving students access to one of the world's most compelling urban environments.

For a thorough overview of the program including video interviews with students participating in the current iteration of the program, click here.

The application process for this program is competitive, every year about 2 students are selected for this program. Students first apply through the Guarini Institute by the February 1st application deadline. After February 1st, faculty from the Department of Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages will review applications and make acceptance decisions. Students will be notified of their acceptance decisions on March 1st.

Successful applicants who are accepted and commit to the program will receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute. Applying for an exchange program involves two steps: if you receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute you will also need to complete the host institution's application, which is administered and reviewed by the host institution. The host institution makes the final acceptance decision. The Guarini Institute will provide further instructions on this second step to students after they are accepted and commit to a program.

For more information about applying for this program, see our webpage on How to Apply & our FAQs under section 2 (How to Apply: Application), or contact the Guarini Institute.

Whereas students in most of Dartmouth's exchange programs may transfer a maximum of four course credits toward the thirty-five required for the Dartmouth degree, the yearlong Global Leadership Fellows Program at Waseda University allows students to transfer nine credits toward their Dartmouth degree.

Waseda offers excellent Japanese language instruction ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Students are strongly encouraged to study Japanese while in the Global Leadership Program, as this will significantly enhance their social and cultural life while in Japan. Language courses completed at Waseda also receive Dartmouth credit.

Program Timetable (exact dates TBA):
1st semester: late September to late January
-includes two-week Christmas and New Years holiday

Spring Holiday: early February to late March
-includes Beijing Field trip

2nd semester: early April to late July

Housing: Students are assigned single rooms in Waseda's international students dormitory. Waseda covers the cost of housing for students participating in the Global Leadership Program. Students are responsible for their utilities costs (electricity).

Food: Students are responsible for their meal costs. Japanese universities generally do not have cafeterias and meal plans. Students generally eat at commercial establishments on or near campus. Dorms have shared kitchen facilities for students who prefer to cook.

Beijing Field Trip: Waseda covers all travel and accommodations costs for the field trip.

Semester Budget Sheet for Waseda University (Fall & Spring)

Year Budget Sheet for Waseda University