Japan » Akita (AIU) » Living in Akita

The Campus

Akita International University is situated in Akita Prefecture, about 30 minutes drive from Akita City. The campus is set in a lovely rural area, with forest on three sides and a large prefectural sports facility across the road.

With large tracts of cedar forest nearby, various mountain ranges, the meandering Omono River, and vibrantly colored rice fields, the campus is blessed with a rich natural setting. A truly distinctive feature of AIU is the view of ancient cherry trees blossoming against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, which can be seen from the campus each spring.

Cafeteria

The AIU cafeteria serves three meals a day at reasonable prices. The cafeteria also serves as a study space and informal meeting place for all members of the university community. In addition, this beautiful hall, with its high arched ceiling and large glass paneled windows, framing distinctive curved walls, regularly serves as the venue for formal university gatherings, as well as the site for parties, musical concerts and campus festivals.

Library & Information Center

The library, open 24 hours a day, has over 60,000 books and other resources in its collection. The majority of works are in English. The library includes several reading rooms and a number of group study rooms.

AIU is a fully networked campus providing each student with the latest in high-speed internet access and computer technology. Students may access the network via their personal computers or from one of the university computer labs. AIU computer laboratories have approximately one computer for every three students on campus, ensuring ready access at any time.

Housing

You will be housed in a four-story, western-style residence hall in a single or double room with internet access. Every two dorm rooms share a common bathroom. The residence hall has a lounge with newspapers, a study room, satellite television, laundry facilities and administrative offices to assist students. Campus food service provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the cafeteria.

Surroundings

The Akita Prefecture Sports Complex is located just across the road from AIU. It offers facilities for basketball, soccer, rugby, tennis, baseball and weight training. In addition, a variety of interesting hiking and cycling courses can be found near campus. Students can also enjoy activities on the Japanese coast or on summer hikes through the nearby forests. AIU students also enjoy skiing and other winter sports and year-round visits to the numerous hot springs (onsen) in the region.

In order to accommodate families and visitors, the Plaza Crypton Hotel serves as a ‘guest house’ for the campus and is the nearest hotel to the airport and to the campus. The hotel offers inexpensive but very comfortable accommodations and serves meals in its dining room. The large, Aeon Mall features movie theaters, restaurants and many shops and stores is only a 10-minute drive from campus.

Student Life

Field Trips

To truly understand a culture and society it is necessary to get out of the classroom and experience it directly. AIU arranges many opportunities for international students to participate in a wide range of field trips. For example, business and economics students may take field trips to area manufacturing plants and tours of regional sake breweries and natto producers. Culture course students may take visits to regional museums, exhibitions, local hot springs, or to watch local carpenters build thatched-roof huts. Field trips to explore Akita are also scheduled as extracurricular activities, allowing students to experience the beautiful natural environment of Akita and get to know many other AIU students.

Meeting with the Community

OUS students may also have opportunities to interact with area residents by volunteering at local schools or teaching English. Students also have an opportunity to join AIU’s home visit program in which the university arranges short overnight stays at local host families’ homes. These will be valuable cultural experiences and will allow students to get to know some local people and learn about their lifestyles.

Clubs and Circles

All students are encouraged to take part in AIU’s many university clubs and interest circles. Martial arts clubs such as Judo, Akido, or Kendo are popular among international students. Another popular club is the Kanto Lantern Festival Club.

Partial List of Clubs and Interest Circles

• Tennis
• Judo
• Girls Futsal
• Boy’s Futsal
• Table Tennis
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Volleyball
• Baseball
• Akido
• Kendo
• Touch Rugby
• Guitar
• Light Music
• Tea Ceremony
• Debate
• Japanese Dance
• Broadcasting
• Dance
• Choir
• Dance Sports
• Latin Culture
• French
• Service Travel
• Flower Arranging
• Music/Band
• Korean
• Russian
• Ecology and Environment
• Global Vision
• Photography and Movies
• Culture
• Kanto

Events

AIU students regularly organize and host events on campus. These events can expand students’ understanding of Japanese culture and can be a great way to get to know other students. Some examples of big annual events are:

• Tanabata & Music Festival (based on a Japanese folk tale) - July
• Baseball Series - July
• Sports Festival – October
• AIU School Festival – October
• Christmas Party – December
• Snow Festival – January
• Valentine Party – February

In addition, all AIU students have opportunities to participate in various community activities by taking part in local festivals and other cultural events in and around the Tohoku region.

On-site Support

You will be assisted through the application and orientation process by staff of the OUS International Programs Office working in conjunction with your university’s Campus Contact and staff of AIU. The AIU International Education staff will provide you support once the program begins.

Counseling service is provided on campus by a professional counselor. The AIU student life counselor offers assistance to any student who has difficulties related to his or her studies, cultural adjustment, interpersonal relationships, or any other matter.

AIU also has a school nurse on campus. While studying in Akita, OUS students are covered both by the Japanese National Health Insurance System and by a health and traveler’s assistance policy provided by the Oregon University System.