Year in Japan
All students in the Japan 120 track will spend a year in Japan at one of Leiden’s partner universities. The Japan year in our programme follows the normal Japanese University year, and runs from early April in the students first year of enrollment – after the first semester and the first period of the 2nd semester – to late March the next year. The last period of the 2nd semester of the 2nd year is again spent in Leiden writing the MA final thesis and taking the highest level of Advanced Language Training.
Currently, Leiden’s partner universities in Japan include: Doshisha University, Keio University, Kobe University, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, Meiji University, Nagasaki University, Rikkyo University, Ritsumeikan University, Sophia University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, University of Tokyo, Waseda University and Yamagata University. The number of places available varies by year and placement is based on availability and students’ interests. Students will be assigned to one of the partner universities in early September of their first year, and prepare for departure in March the following year.
As one of the primary goals of the Japan stay is to improve Japanese language skills, students are required to earn 30 ECTS (or 15 tan’i) in Japanese language courses or other (content) courses taught in Japanese. Students should specify which courses they intend to follow during their stay in Japan, using the study plan (see files), which specifies the courses a student intends to enroll in to the examinations committee for approval
During their stay in Japan, students are expected to develop their Japanese language skills and complete research and writing for their MA thesis in form of Thesis Tutorials, and regularly report on their progress in form of Thesis Tutorial I and Thesis Tutorial II.. The stay in Japan offers a unique opportunity to access Japanese academic literature and primary sources on the topic of interest, and conduct research for their thesis. Students will conduct their research in Japan in consultation with their thesis advisor (who will be assigned in October of their first year); the nature of research and research activities varies by field and topic.
Students will receive credit for their stay abroad in form of a ‘sufficient’ grade; the specific grades will not be noted in the Leiden transcript. The neutral result will not affect students’ overall weighted average.
Career Preparation
Career Preparation in the MA Asian Studies
In completing the MA in Asian studies, you will not only develop your knowledge and insight into the region, but will also develop skills which are relevant and useful for the job market and thereby enhance your ‘employability.’
'Employability' consists of the following aspects:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Shared transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example:
researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences in the field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, speaking with people in the field, and walking along/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Adding to these general skills, enrollment in the MA Asian studies means you will develop a critical understanding of the region, learn to work very independently in designing your thesis project and pursuing independent research using original sources, depending on your specialization, acquire fluency in one of the languages taught in the program, and are able to be empathetic and understand the world from more than your own perspective.
Job search related activities
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market.
On the program level, this includes:
The faculty and university also organizes a number of activities
Contact and further information
Humanities Career Service
The Humanities Career Service offers information and advice on internships, study (re)orientation and master's choice, orientation on the labour market and careers.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the Workshop calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Humanities career Service.
