JOY Program (Exchange Program)

This program is for students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a university that has signed a mutual student exchange agreement with YNU.

≪Contact Information≫
Student Exchange Section (YNU International Office)
Email：kokusai.ryugaku@ynu.ac.jp

Junior Year Overseas at Yokohama National University (JOY) Program

In October 1997, the International Student Center started the JOY Program for students from partner universities outside Japan to give them the opportunity to experience Japanese university life for up to a year. The outline of JOY is as follows:

JOY Program Overview

Objective

To assist international students coming to Yokohama National University under student-exchange agreements by providing them with the opportunity to acquire a good understanding of Japan and its role in the international community.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at a university that has signed a mutual student exchange agreement with YNU.

Students must be proficient in English (TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0 or higher*) or Japanese (JLPT N2 or higher).

*English Certificates other than official TOEFL and IELTS scores are accepted with a letter from the home university certifying the English proficiency equivalent/higher to TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0 or CEFR B2 level.

Educational Program

Courses are offered in varieties of disciplines covering humanities, social sciences, and engineering in English specifically for JOY Program students. They may also attend other courses offered by the faculties, provided they have adequate language skills and approval from the lecturers in charge.

Scholarships

JOY students are eligible to apply for the Japan Student Services Association (JASSO) scholarship. The application form is included in the JOY Program application packet. The JASSO scholarship consists of JPY 80,000/month stipends.
Given the limited number of JASSO scholarships and the increasing number of JOY applicants, this scholarship is increasingly competitive. If available, students should pursue scholarship opportunities at their home universities.However, JASSO rules stipulate that students cannot simultaneously receive the JASSO scholarship and any other study abroad scholarship exceeding JPY 80,000/month (the sum of other scholarships excluding travel support).

Nomination

Students need to be first officially nominated by their home university.
We will inform partner universities of the details for the nomination procedures and deadlines.

Application

After receiving the nomination, we will send the application link directly to the student.

Admission

Students will be selected and admitted on the basis of the quality of their application documents, and on the student exchange balance between their home universities and YNU.