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Associated Kyoto Program (Outgoing Program) Print 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Language of instruction: English, Japanese Housing options: Homestay
Areas of study: Anthropology, Art History, Culture, Economics, Environmental Studies, Film, History, Humanities, International Relations, Japanese, Linguistics, Literature, Media Studies, Minority Studies, Performing and Visual Arts, Photography, Religious Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, Urban Studies Class standing: 1 - Second Semester Sophomore, 2 - Junior, 3 - First Semester Senior
Language GPA: 3.0 Program type: Stand alone
Language level: Japanese 1b or the equivalent GPA: 3.0
Program Description:
kyotoKyoto offers ample opportunities to experience both classical and contemporary Japanese civilization. Japan's capital from 794 to 1868, Kyoto's rich textures of ancient and modern embody Japanese culture and spirit.

The Associated Kyoto Program (AKP) is co-sponsored by several major American colleges and universities: Amherst, Bates, Bucknell, Carleton, Colby, Connecticut, Mount Holyoke, Oberlin, Pomona, Smith, Wesleyan, Whitman, and Williams. The program accepts approximately 25-35 students from the member institutions each semester and utilizes facilities at Doshisha University. 

Academic Program
  • The academic year is divided into two semesters of 12 weeks each.
  • Students enroll in a full-time course load of 3-4 Pomona credits.
  • Each semester all students take intensive Japanese language, which is taught at several different levels by Japanese instructors (2 Pomona credits)
  • Students enroll in two classes from available electives, taught in English (1 Pomona credit each). The elective courses are taught by visiting American faculty members from AKP member institutions and scholars who reside in Kyoto. Specific courses vary from year to year in accordance with the availability of staff, but the choices usually include art history, economics, literature, history, politics, and religion.  In addition, students may be able to take English-taught electives with the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS). 
  • Students may make individual arrangements to take non-credit courses in Japanese traditional arts and crafts at their own expense, as well as activities at Doshisha University.
  • There is no CR/NC option on this program.
 
AKP Credits  Pomona Credits 
1 1

Living Arrangements
Students live and take their meals in local homes.

Number of Students
Approximately 2-4. Pomona students are part of a national applicant pool. Total group is approximately 25-35.

Host Institutions
Associated Kyoto Program (AKP) 
Doshisha University

Faculty Liaison
Peter Flueckiger (On leave for the 2024-2025 academic year)

Eligibility
 
  • Junior standing.
  • For fall semester and academic year applicants, completion of elementary Japanese (Japanese 1b) or the equivalent. For spring semester applicants, completion of Japanese 51a or the equivalent.
  • 3.0 GPA in Japanese courses and a 3.0 GPA overall are required. 
Notes on Application Process: The Associated Kyoto Program has an early application deadline; the AKP application for the fall and academic year is due in early January. Applications for the spring semester are due in September. The application process also includes a one-hour interview with an AKP representative. Students must submit a copy of a valid passport at the time of application.

Internet Link
www.associatedkyotoprogram.org

Student Experiences
Click here to read Karen Huddleston's (PO'16) reflections on her semester in Kyoto.
Listen to Mikaela Nishida's (PO '21) experience on the AKP program on the Sagehens Abroad Podcast.

Travel Advisories 

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline (Pacific Time) Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2026 09/07/2025 10/03/2025 TBA TBA