Q : On what date will the students be required to arrive?
A : Late September. The bus will pick up students together on the designated date every year. HUSA staff member and student tutors will wait for students at the Hiroshima Airport to pick you up. HUSA Orientation will be held right after your arrival. This schedule might appear little tight, but it has been well perceived by students who were about to become homesick after arrival.

Q : Should the students go ahead and book their flights now?
A : All Students joining HUSA, both JASSO Scholarship recipients and privately funded students, need to purchase their ticket by himself/herself.

Q : Does HUSA arrange a bank account for each student - or do students need to arrange it by themselves?
A : After arrival, student tutors at Hiroshima University will help HUSA students to open a bank account. Each HUSA student has a Japanese student tutor. Please do not worry.

Q : Does HUSA arrange accommodation for students - or do students need to arrange this themselves?
A : HUSA will arrange dormitory housing and students do not have to do anything, unless he/she wants to live in a private apartment. If a student wants to live off campus, he/she will need to take care of it by himself/herself.

Q : Is there any information about Hiroshima University life sent to students?
A : You can see 'Information for New Students guidebook' is available in PDF file. 

GENERAL
Q: Can I apply for 1 semester only?
A: Yes, you can. HUSA will accept either 1 semester or 2 semester applications from fall semester. There is no spring semester entry at this stage. Please be reminded that 1 year applicants are more prioritized in the JASSO Scholarship selection.

Q: Is it possible to extend the stay from one semester to 2 semesters after I join HUSA?
A: It is possible, but it cannot be promised. However, you need to seek permission for extended stay from your home university first. At Hiroshima University side the HUSA Committee needs to approve it. Further, the issue is that there might not be a room available in the dormitory. Even if your extension of stay is approved by the HUSA, living in a private apartment with your own funding can be quite expensive.

JASSO SCHOLARSHIP
Q: Is it possible to apply for JASSO scholarship when I am applying for 1 semester only?
A: Yes. However, there is more possibility to be awarded the JASSO Scholarship if you apply for one year participation than one semester participation.

Q: Can HUSA students be picked up at the airport?
A: Yes, but only on the designated date. The HUSA program will notify students of the date and time when HUSA staff members will pick up students from Hiroshima Airport by bus.

Q: What about students who do not arrive at Hiroshima on the designated date?
A: Students arriving on other dates or outside the pick up time are required to come to Hiroshima University by themselves. The International Exchange Group of International Center is open from 8:30am-5:15pm (Mon-Fri). In order to enter the dormitory room, a student will need to get a key from the International Exchange Group during the office hours. 

Q: When will the first payment of JASSO scholarship be made?
A: 10 days to 2 weeks after the HUSA orientation. In order to receive the 1st payment you need to open a bank account.

Q: How are HUSA students surviving financially during the first few weeks after they arrive in Japan ?
A: Please be advised that the 1st payment of the JASSO scholarship will be put into your bank account 10-14 days after your arrival. In order to survive the first two weeks you need to have your own money. We strongly recommend students to exchange money at their home countries before they depart for Japan. We find this to be the most convenient time and students seem to receive the best exchange rate. Below are some of the comments:

Before departure, I exchanged my currency into Japanese yen. After arrival in Japan I used an Australian debit card to withdraw yen directly from my bank account in Australia
Important: Make sure that your debit card is accepted internationally.
Till the 1st payment of the scholarship, I spent AU$1000 ( about US$750 ).
I spent 70000-80000 yen to settle in Japan . It costs money initially to buy cellular phone and other necessary stuff. It is very useful to have an international bank account.
When I came to Japan , I brought half cash and half traveler’s checks.
It was very easy since I exchanged my currency into Japanese yen in my country. If I had not, it would have been difficult to do so at the airport when I needed to change a plane.

Q: What kind of internet services are available on campus ?
A: After you register yourself into the university system with your ID (provided on the 1st day of the HUSA orientation) and obtain your account, you can use internet in the media center, West library, or other locations on campus immediately. Wireless and Standard Internet connections provided by Hiroshima University can be used in the welfare facilities and in each faculty on the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus.

Ikenoue Dormitory:
You can sign up for internet, either ADSL or fiber-optic line, in your own room. Monthly charge will be approximately 3000 yen-5000 yen.