Waseda Global Leadership Fellows Program
Year-long direct exchange in Tokyo, Japan
Waseda Global Leadership Fellows Program
All information on this page is in reference to the 2024-25 Academic Year exchange, for which the application has closed.
Future iterations of the University of Washington participation in the Global Leadership Program at Waseda University will be administered outside of the UW Honors Program – additional information will be posted here when available.
About Waseda
University of Washington Honors Program students are invited to apply for this interdisciplinary leadership program which runs autumn 2024-early summer 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.
Students will receive UW credit (Honors or other credits per pre-approval). Dorm housing is provided by Waseda. Accepted students will cover tuition (equivalent to UW tuition), airfare, food, and personal expenses.
Students accepted to this “integrated study abroad” program will engage with a small cohort of GLP Waseda exchange students who are spending the current academic year at the UW. In addition, during the year long program at Waseda University, UW students will work with a cohort of students from US universities who are part of the GLP cohort (Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California at Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, University of Chicago, and University of Washington).
Current second and third year students from all majors are encouraged to apply (to see a list of course offerings click here.)
Current Waseda University students are also invited to apply for the Global Leadership Program. Waseda students accepted to the program will participate in Honors Program courses and be part of the Honors community at the UW. Waseda GLP students will take Honors classes and also classes in their majors. Other classes taken at the UW would be specific to the student’s majors or elective credits. Students will benefit from personalized advising through the UW Honors Program and UW Study Abroad.
UW and Waseda students attending a lecture on global food security in Japan, 2018
Outbound Students
Eligibility Requirements
The Waseda Global Leadership Program is open to all UW students, though priority is given to students in the Honors Program. This exchange program is best suited for juniors and seniors with prior international experience. Priority will also be given to students who have some proficiency in Japanese, or who are planning to study Japanese prior to their departure. Students participating in the program will receive UW credit (Honors credits and other UW credits per pre-approval).
Students accepted to this “integrated study year” program are encouraged to complete a basic level Japanese language requirement. UW students will engage with a small cohort of Japanese students participating in the Global Leadership Program currently attending UW.
Application Process and Deadline to Waseda (for outbound UW students)
- Apply through UW’s Study Abroad Portal.
- Deadline: November 30
Program Fees
- Students will be exempted from paying Waseda tuition and fees.
- Outbound UW students pay exchange fee equivalent to UW tuition through the Home Tuition Program for Reciprocal Exchange
- 3.0 quarters of UW tuition for academic year exchanges
- Students billed via MyUW on regular UW tuition billing schedule
- Program includes accommodation in University dormitories, as well as program travel excursion
- Costs NOT covered by the program include:
- Round-trip airfare to and from Japan
- Local transportation in the U.S. (round-trip between home and nearest international airport)
- Local transportation in Japan between Narita or Haneda Airport and Waseda University
- Meals and other living expenses during the program
- Books and other study materials
- Study abroad insurance covering the period of stay in Japan
- Tuition waivers cannot be used toward study abroad or any direct exchange program, as tuition waivers cannot be used to pay study abroad program fees or exchange tuition equivalent fees
Housing costs are fully covered
- GLFP American students will be accommodated in a university dormitory in the heart of Tokyo without monthly room charge during their stay at Waseda, generously provided.
- The dormitory, Waseda Houshien International House, is located 5 minutes by foot from the Waseda campus.
- Information regarding the dormitory can be found here
Fast Facts for Waseda
- Most Waseda classes are taught in English.
- Most classes are 2 credits and meet once per week for 1.5 hours.
- Most students take eight to ten courses per semester.
- 45-54 credits per year is an average course load. Most students take up to five classes per semester, and some take up to seven.
- The Waseda academic structure is based on the “Zemi” model. A Zemi is a unique Japanese academic experience that is a cross between a seminar, lab, and social network/club.
- Academic calendar:
- Autumn semester: September 20 – February 4
- Spring semester: March 31 – August 1
Learn more about the Global Leadership Program here.
Inbound Students
Eligibility Requirements
- The Waseda Global Leadership Program is open to all WASEDA students.
- This exchange program is best suited for sophomores and juniors with prior international experience and strong English proficiency.
Application Process and Deadline to UW (for inbound WASEDA students)
- After you have been nominated through GLFP Waseda complete and submit the UW Honors Program GLFP Inbound nomination form by February 1.
- Once you have submitted this form, the Honors Program will confirm your eligibility to take the next steps in applying to the UW. Honors will then send an application link with details and requirements for inbound exchange students. This application will open annually in the first part of January.
- You must then complete and submit the UW Study Abroad Exchange Application by March 15.
- You may read more about this process on the UW Study Abroad website.
Program Fees
- Students do not pay UW tuition, but are responsible for covering the cost of Waseda tuition and fees.
- Additional UW exchange fees for inbound students, as well as housing and insurance may be found on the UW’s Study Abroad site.
Housing
- Waseda Global Leadership exchange students are eligible to live in university residence halls.
- Housing costs are the responsibility of the student.
- For more information visit the UW visiting student housing website.
Fast Facts
- The International Programs and Exchanges Office at the UW provides an informational portal for visiting exchange students.
- For general information about the University of Washington, visit:www.uw.edu
- For information about the UW Honors Program, visit: honors.uw.edu
- International Student Services Office webpage: http://iss.washington.edu
Learn More
- Learn more about the Global Leadership Program here.
- Contact the Global Leadership Program Team in Waseda: glp-office@list.waseda.jp
Eligibility Requirements
The Waseda Global Leadership Program is open to all UW students, though priority is given to students in the Honors Program. This exchange program is best suited for juniors and seniors with prior international experience. Priority will also be given to students who have some proficiency in Japanese, or who are planning to study Japanese prior to their departure. Students participating in the program will receive UW credit (Honors credits and other UW credits per pre-approval).
Students accepted to this “integrated study year” program are encouraged to complete a basic level Japanese language requirement. UW students will engage with a small cohort of Japanese students participating in the Global Leadership Program currently attending UW.
Application Process and Deadline to Waseda (for outbound UW students)
- Apply through UW’s Study Abroad Portal.
- Deadline: November 30
Program Fees
- Students will be exempted from paying Waseda tuition and fees.
- Outbound UW students pay exchange fee equivalent to UW tuition through the Home Tuition Program for Reciprocal Exchange
- 3.0 quarters of UW tuition for academic year exchanges
- Students billed via MyUW on regular UW tuition billing schedule
- Outbound UW students pay exchange fee equivalent to UW tuition through the Home Tuition Program for Reciprocal Exchange
- Program includes accommodation in University dormitories, as well as program travel excursion
- Costs NOT covered by the program include:
- Round-trip airfare to and from Japan
- Local transportation in the U.S. (round-trip between home and nearest international airport)
- Local transportation in Japan between Narita or Haneda Airport and Waseda University
- Meals and other living expenses during the program
- Books and other study materials
- Study abroad insurance covering the period of stay in Japan
- Tuition waivers cannot be used toward study abroad or any direct exchange program, as tuition waivers cannot be used to pay study abroad program fees or exchange tuition equivalent fees
Housing costs are fully covered
- GLFP American students will be accommodated in a university dormitory in the heart of Tokyo without monthly room charge during their stay at Waseda, generously provided.
- The dormitory, Waseda Houshien International House, is located 5 minutes by foot from the Waseda campus.
- Information regarding the dormitory can be found here
Fast Facts for Waseda
- Most Waseda classes are taught in English.
- Most classes are 2 credits and meet once per week for 1.5 hours.
- Most students take eight to ten courses per semester.
- 45-54 credits per year is an average course load. Most students take up to five classes per semester, and some take up to seven.
- The Waseda academic structure is based on the “Zemi” model. A Zemi is a unique Japanese academic experience that is a cross between a seminar, lab, and social network/club.
- Academic calendar:
- Autumn semester: September 20 – February 4
- Spring semester: March 31 – August 1
Learn more about the Global Leadership Program here.
Inbound Students
Eligibility Requirements
- The Waseda Global Leadership Program is open to all WASEDA students.
- This exchange program is best suited for sophomores and juniors with prior international experience and strong English proficiency.
Application Process and Deadline to UW (for inbound WASEDA students)
- After you have been nominated through GLFP Waseda complete and submit the UW Honors Program GLFP Inbound nomination form by February 1.
- Once you have submitted this form, the Honors Program will confirm your eligibility to take the next steps in applying to the UW. Honors will then send an application link with details and requirements for inbound exchange students. This application will open annually in the first part of January.
- You must then complete and submit the UW Study Abroad Exchange Application by March 15.
- You may read more about this process on the UW Study Abroad website.
Program Fees
- Students do not pay UW tuition, but are responsible for covering the cost of Waseda tuition and fees.
- Additional UW exchange fees for inbound students, as well as housing and insurance may be found on the UW’s Study Abroad site.
Housing
- Waseda Global Leadership exchange students are eligible to live in university residence halls.
- Housing costs are the responsibility of the student.
- For more information visit the UW visiting student housing website.
Fast Facts
- The International Programs and Exchanges Office at the UW provides an informational portal for visiting exchange students.
- For general information about the University of Washington, visit:www.uw.edu
- For information about the UW Honors Program, visit: honors.uw.edu
- International Student Services Office webpage: http://iss.washington.edu
Learn More
- Learn more about the Global Leadership Program here.
- Contact the Global Leadership Program Team in Waseda: glp-office@list.waseda.jp
