This exchange program allows students to study at Kansai Gaidai University for a semester- or year-long stay. Kansai Gaidai's two campuses, Nakamiya and Hotani, are in Hirakata City (population 405,000) near Osaka, which is the second-largest business metropolis in Japan, after Tokyo. Hirakata is also close to Kyoto and Nara, both of which are synonymous with Japan's rich tradition. This geographic advantage provides students with easy access to the centers of Osaka and Kyoto by train.
The Asian Studies Program at Kansai Gaidai University was established in 1972 to provide students with the opportunity to study and obtain practical knowledge of the culture and language of Japan. All classes in the Asian Studies Program are conducted in English, except for Japanese language courses. The combination of the rigorous Japanese language program and a wide variety of courses focusing on Japan/Asia make it possible for students to acquire a well-rounded knowledge of the region.