Comparative Health Care in Japan

The Comparative Health Care in Japan Program is an opportunity designed for health care, pre-med, and nursing students who want to add international dimensions to their careers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This program runs May - June. Specific program details can found on the Comparative Health Care Program information sheet.

This program is comprised of three main components: a Japanese language course focusing on intensive study of medical terminology/health care-related Japanese language and culture, a keystone course on comparitive health care, and internships tailored to each participant's area of interest providing an experience working in health care-related institutions or community based service organizations in Japan. JCMU partners with the Shiga University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) for on this program, allowing JCMU students to work alongside with graduate students, researchers and professors.

2009 Comparative Health Care Course Offerings

  • Comparative Health Keystone Course [3 credits] – The course will acquaint students with comparitive health care in Japan. Classroom study will be augmented by fieldtrips to introduce students to the Japanese medical system.
  • Japanese language for Health Care [3 credits; elementary Japanese] – This course involves regular course meetings and will pay particular attention to health care-related themes, vocabulary, situations, and activities by drawing upon examples from Japanese culture, society and experiences related to the keystone course work. Beyond classroom training, HCJ students are able to apply their increasing language skills in the local community and in internships. Field trips, demonstrations, and other activities, whether organized by the JCMU staff or initiated by students, complement language study.
  • Comparative Health Care Internship [2 credits] – Students additionally participate in an internship coordinated and supervised by the Shiga University of Medical Sciences. Students will be placed in an environment which matches their interests.