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Study Japanese

Why Study Japanese?

Learn the language and culture of Japan and explore the diversity of an increasingly interconnected world. Japanese courses range from an introductory language class to modern Japanese literature.

Students study Japanese to develop a high level of proficiency in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The Japanese major curriculum includes courses in all levels of Japanese as well as special-topics courses, including Business Japanese, Kanji, Anime/Manga and study abroad travel courses to Japan. Pacific University is one of a handful of universities in the United States where Japanese major students write their senior thesis entirely in Japanese, showcasing their language abilities, and social and cultural understanding of Japan.

Students who choose to study Japanese at Pacific spend at least one semester studying abroad at one of five universities in four cities — Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Saga. Their options include Rikkyo University and Nanzan University, two top ranking universities, as well as Saga University, a large public university where students can study science, among other areas.

At home in Forest Grove, students can practice language skills with a Japanese-speaking language assistant who lives on campus, and also connect with Japanese exchange students studying at Pacific.

You can also apply your Japanese language skills through several internships. Assist international students from Japan, work with a Japanese doctor of eastern medicine, work in a dental clinic that specializes in Japanese patients, or assist a teacher in a Japanese language immersion program. 

COURSE CATALOG

What Can You Do with a Japanese Degree?

Students who complete a Japanese major or minor at Pacific University have an enhanced global awareness and people skills that allow them to thrive in a global community. 

Our students have participated in Fulbright Scholarships for international study, as well as the Japan Exchange Teaching (J.E.T.) program, serving as assistants to English teachers or coordinators for international relations. Many graduates work in international business, the medical field or pursue a teaching license to teach Japanese in the United States.

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Center for Languages & International Collaboration

The Pacific University Center for Languages and International Collaboration, or CLIC, promotes the development of global-ready graduates who can communicate effectively across difference.

More than ever, college graduates must be ready to work and live in a global environment — not only to speak with their global neighbors, but to communicate with them effectively. Language education is about more than memorizing vocabulary — it’s about embracing diversity and difference. Through the CLIC, Pacific students engage with people around the world.

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“It was fascinating to speak with these special representatives and hear their perspectives on U.S. engagement on the global stage and what the priorities are for their nations at the U.N.”

— Leah Klaas '16
International Studies, Japanese, Anthropology triple-major
JET Program Coordinator for International Relations

 

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Each visit consists of an hour-long tour of campus led by a current student or admissions counselor.

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