Year in Japan
Students depart for Japan in late March, soon after the Thesis Workshop (23 March, 2012). Before your departure make sure to make the necessary arrangements for the re-enrollment for your second year, which will begin in September 2012 (while you are in Japan!). Formal responsibilities during the year in situ include submitting the Japanese Language Acquisition Plan, maintaining a close contact with your thesis supervisor (at least once in every 1-2 months), and reporting on the progress of your thesis through the Dissertation Progress Reports.
- Japanese Language Acquisition Plan
- Dissertation Progress Reports / Thesis Tutorial II
- IMPORTANT! Preparation for re-enrollment for the second year of the MA programme
- Communication and senpai advice
Japanese Language Acquisition Plan
All students are required to earn 30 ECTS in Japan by following Japanese language courses OR content courses conducted in the Japanese language. This translates into approximately 15 tan'i in the Japanese system of grade registration. Students should specify which courses they intend to follow during their stay in Japan, using the Japanese Language Acquisition Plan form.
The form is due to the Examinations Committee on June 1 (Semester I) and October 1 (Semester II). Student may also submit a plan for the entire year on June 1.
Some universities may not allow foreign students to earn tan'i or allow foreign students to participate in English-language courses only. In such cases, students are required to investigate different ways of improving Japanese language proficiency, such as taking part in specific courses as an observer, participating in club-activities, student newspaper etc. See Example Japanese Language Acquisition Plan for possibilities. If unsure what to do, students should consult their supervisor in Japan and/or Leiden or the Examinations Committee to help them search for alternative solutions.
Dissertation Progress Reports / Thesis Tutorial II
Dissertation Progress Reports are due to your supervisor on September 15, December 15, February 15 and May 15. The procedure of submitting the reports is explained in detail in the provided form. Starting with the 2011/13 cohort of students, Dissertation Progress Reports are no longer part of the assessment of the Year in Japan, but fall under Thesis Tutorial II.
IMPORTANT! Preparation for re-enrollment for the second year of the MA programme
Before your departure for Japan, make sure to check your REGISTRATION ADDRESS with the university administration. Your re-enrolment form for 2012/2013 will be sent to that address. It is, therefore important to arrange for your post to be forwarded to you in Japan. Also make sure to arrange beforehand for the payment of your Leiden University tuition fee for the second year (or authorize someone to do it for you). Handling these things from Japan is usually quite bothersome!
For more information on re-registering in September please contact the Student Registration Centre:
tel. 0715278011
Communication and senpai advice
If you have informal questions concerning Year in Japan, please contact Diana Kuijpers currently in Japan.
See also her blog.
Join also our Facebook group 'MA Japanese Studies 120 Leiden' to communicate with us and your fellow students.