Not only are there programs for developing students' language abilities and academic research abilities, including conducting on-site research and field studies with faculty members, but there are also programs for cooperative education through social and international collaboration and voluntary research. Whether a first year student or a senior, these programs will be useful for improving language ability and will act as an aid in career development.

1 English Immersion Program
APU has developed several immersion programs, both independently and in conjunction with Ritsumeikan University (RU), for the purpose of improving students's English ability.

1-1 Program:
National University of Singapore
(NUS) English Immersion Program

Duration: 3 weeks
Outline: This is an independent APU program for students to learn English intensively at the Centre for English Language Communication. Students participate in one of the following programs.

Program 1
Classes are small and the focus is on speaking ability. Lectures are used to learn about the history, culture and industries of Singapore, with lectures that include urban fieldwork and presentations, as well as discussions with NUS students. By using the acquired English ability immediately, it aims to ensure that students retain the skills they have learned.

Program 2
This is a program that develops the ability to participate smoothly in APU lectures in English. The program aims to help students learn thoroughly by including skills such as academic writing and reading, and attending several lectures on previously established themes.

1-2 Program:
Washington University / iLEAP
English Immersion Program
"Critical Service and Citizensociety (CSCS)"

Duration: 15 weeks
Outline: In addition to intensive lectures for improving practical English ability at Washington University, this program aims to provide students with an understanding of the concepts and topics underlying American society with a focus on learning about service in American social organizations. Students can experience local NGO internships, discussions with students from Washington University and other universities, a seminar on "Critical Service and Citizens' Society" as well as regional development and an introduction to civil society.

2 Content Based Program
The objective of this program is to provide students with increased motivation to study about the Asia Pacific through "reflective discussions,"* Contact with the societies and cultures of Southeast Asia will also provide students with the seeds of future research.

Program:
Southeast Asian Fieldwork Experience (Thailand)

Duration: 11 days
Outline: By sightseeing in Bangkok and visiting/lecturing at local establishments, students are given opportunities to reflect on Asian urban problems including the existence of slums. An opinion exchange session is carried out everyday after dinner. Furthermore, with the guidance of a faculty member, students partake in and initiate cross-cultural interaction. Toward this end, according to their respective themes, students travel through different cities in Thailand over four days until they reach their final destination. During the trip they carry out fieldwork such as collecting information, surveying and drawing conclusions. This exercise aims to improve independent thought and communication abilities in small groups. After the program, students hold reflective discussions.* Through giving lectures on "Begining Cross-Cultural Communication" and via various websites, the students present their outcomes both inside and outside the university, and aim to reinforce what they have learned.

*Reflective discussion
A session where students discuss cross-cultural awareness and feeling associated with cross-cultural encounters.

As well as improving the active use of Asia Pacific languages through fieldwork about regional affaris and social problems with international sudents from the Asia Pacific region, it will also increase knowledge of language studies and enhance regional understanding. Moreover, by participating in joint studies and internships in international organizations, students will be able to improve their own research and study abilities.
Through lectures and practical experience in an international environment, students will also be able to understand more deeply the relationship between theory and practice, which will open up wider prospects for their future.

The number of credits differs according to the program, but students who complete the program and receive a positive evaluation will be able to recieve credits. Credits for some programs may also count as credits taken in English. It is necessary to pay a fee for awarded credits (based on per-credits tuition for the study-abroad year). The program can be taken as a Summer/Winter session or be completed over one quarter so thet more students can participate in the program.