Frequently Asked Questions::Tsukumodai:Osaka University Global Village

Applying for Housing

How do I apply for housing? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: Please see the application method and schedule page.
Please check back as we will notify you when we start accepting applications and when the schedule is updated.
What sort of costs can I expect at move-in? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: Upon move-in, we will have you pay a lump sum which will be the cleaning fee when you move out.
Costs that will occur each month are room rent, common charges, equipment rental fees (furniture, etc.), internet fees, . For more information on the amounts, please check each facilitiy's website.
For those who will make use of the parking lot, bicycle parking lot, motorbike parking lot, storage units, furniture, or other optional rentals, those fees will be collected separately each month.

Facilities

Can you see the specific dimensions of the living room? Tsukumodai: Please see the student dormitories room information page or the instructor housing room information page. Please note that the layout of the Instructor Housing dormitory varies depending on the room type.
Will I be able to use the internet? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: You will have internet access in the common area and in your room.
Please note that the cost of internet access (which is mandatory) will be separate from your rent.
Is everything electronic? Tsukumodai: Only the bath uses gas, and everything else is electronic (the kitchen has an induction heated stove).

Student Dormitories

What sort of furniture is provided? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: Please refer to this page, which includes a list of items that are included as mandatory rentals.
Optional rental items are also available.
Do you offer SOGI support? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: We intend to offer personalized support on request.
Do you offer a meal plan? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: We do not offer a meal plan.
After the first round of applications has ended, will there be any additional rounds? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: In the event that any additional rounds of applications are held, information on the schedule and process will be posted on this website at that time.
Can I apply for a GV spot even if I have already lived at a different OU student dormitory? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: Yes, you can still apply. However, please note that your time as a resident at the other dormitory will be counted toward your total. International students can stay for up to one year, while students from Japan are required to stay for at least the duration of their academic program.
Tsukumodai Are there any women's floors?: The dwelling places for female and male students are clearly divided for each unit.
What security measures do you have in place for women students? Tsukumodai: The dwelling places for female and male students are clearly divided for each unit, and traveling between them is not permitted.
Do I have to go through any additional procedures to get utility (electricity, gas, water) service? Tsukumodai: There is no need to set up electricity, gas, and water at Tsukumodai, since these costs for the common areas and each room are included in the common service costs.
Will you take religious or other such considerations into account when assigning rooms or determining how the facilities may be used, etc.? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: We will consider any feasible requests.
What will the ratio of Japanese to international students be in each unit? Tsukumodai: In keeping with the Global Village concept, students from Japan will be divided amongst the available units to the greatest possible extent.
The actual ratio will depend on the residency situation, but we anticipate that there will be one to two students from Japan in each unit.
With the GV being a shared housing environment, what will the ratio of international students to Japanese students be? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: There will be roughly three international students for each student from Japan.
What sort of experience can I expect to gain by interacting with people from around the world in the GV? Tsukumodai: Japanese students will take charge of coordinating with the boarding students in their unit as the leaders of the unit. Also, in addition to various events with the purpose of international and regional exchange in the dorms, participation in the dorm's educational programs allows students to work on their ability to think and make decisions from a global perspective through group work and workshops with foreign students.
With the GV being a shared environment where I would be living alongside international students, will I need to have proficiency in a foreign language? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: You do not need to have any foreign language proficiency in order to be considered for a dormitory place. However, having the ability to communicate with international students will benefit the flow of your day-to-day life at the dormitory, and will also make your GV experience more meaningful. More than current language proficiency, what we are looking for most from students interested in living in the GV is a genuine desire to live and interact with international students on an everyday basis.
Will I be able to change my unit? Tsukumodai: Barring special circumstances, no changes will be permitted.
Can I apply for both Tsukumodai and Minoh? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: Yes, you can apply for both.
If you receive a large number of applications, how will they be judged? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: There is a selection process for international students. For students from Japan, in the event that we receive a large number of applications, places will be assigned by random drawing.
Can I stay short-term (for example, for two weeks)? Tsukumodai and Minohsemba: As a general rule, short-term stays are not permitted.

Instructor Housing

What sort of furniture is provided? Tsukumodai: Please refer to this page, which includes a list of items that are included as mandatory rentals.
Optional rental items are also available.
Can I pay for my rent, etc., with public grant money? Tsukumodai: Yes, that is possible.
Will I be able to choose my room? Tsukumodai: You will be able to choose whether your room is a Studio (single room with kitchen), Single (one bedroom with living/dining room and separate kitchen), or Family (three bedrooms with living/dining room and separate kitchen) apartment, but you will not be able to select a specific room within your chosen category, as they are assigned by random drawing.
When you apply, you may make a request for reasonable accommodation, such as for accessibility-related reasons.
After the first round of applications has ended, will there be any additional rounds? Tsukumodai: In the event that any additional rounds of applications are held, information on the schedule and process will be posted on this website at that time.
Can I apply for a GV place even if I have already lived at another OU instructor housing facility? Tsukumodai: Yes, you can still apply.
Can I stay short-term (for example, for two weeks)? Tsukumodai: As a general rule, short-term stays are not permitted.
Can families (such as married couples) live in Standard apartments? Tsukumodai: No, that is not possible.
Are there rent subsidies? Tsukumodai: Since they are welfare facilities, they are exempt from benefits, as with other existing dorms.
Are newly hired faculty members the only ones with the right to apply? Tsukumodai: Faculty members that have already been hired may also apply.
Are there elevators? Tsukumodai: There are 4 elevators in the wing with single quarters.
The elevators in the wing with single quarters will be used by families and those living away from their families.

parking

Can students also use car parking spaces? Tsukumodai: Car parking spaces are not available to students. Students can use bicycle parking spaces (including motorcycle parking).