Temple finds way in Tokyo

Since 1982, Temple University has had a campus in Tokyo. This was the first American university in Japan; it is also the largest. The students meet the same admissions criteria and receive the same diplomas as students at the main campus in Philadelphia and can transfer to or from the Philadelphia campus or Temple Rome with minimal difficulty.

Some students spend their entire college career in Tokyo, but the campus also provides the opportunity for students from Philly to study abroad. Masami Nakagawa from Temple University Japan’s (TUJ) communications department explained the breakdown. “Students sent via the main campus make up about 10 percent of the total enrollment. They spend anywhere from one semester to one year at TUJ. Fifty percent are domestic Japanese students. The remaining 40 percent are non-Japanese students who applied directly to Japan campus, from both inside and outside Japan. They include students from 50 different countries.”

Things are slightly different than the typical college experience in the U.S; for instance, classes are held in office buildings. Foreign students may stay in dorms or arrange for home stays.

University staff can help students with practical matters like navigating the city and opening bank accounts.

TUJ offers cultural activities that span the continents. These include learning about Japanese music and tea ceremonies and traveling to nearby landmarks. In addition, students enjoy an annual international festival to recognize the many heritages present, an American-style Halloween celebration and, of course, a traditional American graduation ceremony.