In 1868, Japan abandoned its isolation policy and opened 5 ports to foreign coutries. Kobe port was one of them, opened to the outsideworld.
Since then, ‘people’, ‘goods’, ‘information’, and‘cultures’have kept coming into Kobe from all over the world. People came from overseas to live and go into business, and a number of schools are made for their children. Now there are 9 schools (English, Korean, Chinese, German and Norwegian schools) for foreigners from the age of 5 to 18.
“The Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe”, where Communica Institute is now located, was established in the same year as the opening of Kobe port and diplomats, traders, academics, artists, and journalists came to live there. They brought European life style, culture, architecture and industry. The unique culture of Kobe was created by them. This history of Kobe and its great natural environment, surrounded by sea and mountains, make it a comfortable place to live in for foreign people.
In addition, Kobe is the prefectural capital and a metropolis with a population of one and a half million. It enjoys a splendid view consisting of its world-class artificial islands, i.e., Port Island and Rokko Island, which make you feel like being in a future city.
Kobe and its neighboring cities forms a high-tech industry area which symbolizes modern Japanese industries such as shipbuilding, steal industry, heavy and chemical industries, electronics and so on.
Not only its nature and industries, this area also has temples and castles comparable to those of Kyoto and Nara, as well as its deep rooted folk entertainment and handcraft with their long history and tradition.
College student / 1 year or 1 year and 3 months.
While the cost of living in Tokyo is JPY 100,000 / month over, that of Kobe is JPY 70,000 to JPY 80,000.
Usually a guarantor is needed to rent a room in Japan, Communica is a member of "Comprehensive Renters Insurance for Foreign Students Living in Japan" and can be your guarantor. One month rent is JPY 40,000 to JPY 50,000.
Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Kobe enjoys a temperate weather throughout the year and does not have much rain. The annual average temperature is around 16 to 18°C. Seasonal average is 26 to 30°C in summer, and 3 to 5°C in winter.
It is permitted up to 28 hours / week. (During long vacation: up to 8 hours / day).
Note: Permission needed.
| National Health Insurance | Disaster Compensation Systems for Students in Japanese Language Schools | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance payment | around JPY 2,000 / month | JPY 10,100 / year |
| Coverage | 70% of medical / hospital expenses | 30% of medical / hospital expenses |
| Rescuers' expenses | No | Yes |
| Liability | No | Yes |
Note: Long term course students are required to join both of the above. If you do, all the expenses will be covered.
| Per month | Period | |
|---|---|---|
| Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students (JASSO) | JPY 48,000 | For 1 year |
| Reservation Program for Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students (JASSO) | JPY 48,000 | For 1 year (after entering college) |
| Rokko Scholarship (Kobe Student Youth Center Rokko Scholarship Foundation) | JPY 50,000 | For 1 year |
| OKUDA JUNKO 「YUME ESSAY」 Scholorship | JPY 100,000 | at once |
