GAP Year ProgramBroaden Your Frontier Spirit. The NUCB Gap Year Program
In 2005, we started the NUCB Gap Year, which permits qualified freshman students to spend the first term of college traveling around in Europe. We had 36 students participate in 2005, followed by 31 in 2006. By 2007, we are prepared to send up to 40 participants. This is a unique program at NUCB, which does not exist at any other university in Japan.
What is a "Gap Year"?
A ggap yearh is actually quite common in the US and Europe. Usually, it is a period during which students spend several months, to a year traveling after graduating from university.
In the NUCB program, we ereversef the gap year by having the students travel immediately after finishing high school. In this way, NUCB Gap Year students gain valuable experience and maturity needed to become leaders in university and in their careers.
Now, in its 2nd year, the NUCB Gap Year program has become quite well known throughout Japan, with 31 students participating in 2006, and 40 targeted for 2007. We have opened this program to NUCB undergraduates, as well as to young women from Koryo International College\a two-year, womenfs college located on the NUCB campus.
Gap Year Program Structure & Schedule
NUCB has two semesters per year. The Gap Year program is held from April to July. In April, the students draw up a plan, have English lessons, and learn how to live abroad.
At the end of April, they depart for the United Kingdom where they take part in a weeklong tour and become more familiar with esurviving on their ownf overseas. Afterwards, they set off to travel, visit historical sites, conduct research and visit companies in Europe for two months. In July, they return to Japan and write a report for which they receive credit towards their regular degree program.
Students who experienced the gap year often say,
"I became more independent!"
"I feel more confident and positive about my future!"
"My communication skills have improved!"
We believe that the Gap Year program will continue to be recognized as a progressive program that benefits greatly to shaping the character of NUCB students.