The webinar provided an overview of the Sakura Scholars Program, a joint degree program between American University (AU) and Ritsumeikan University (RU) in Kyoto, Japan. Jessica explained that students in the program complete a BA in Global International Relations (GIR), spending their first and fourth years at AU and their second and third years at RU. She detailed the academic requirements, including a 124-credit total, specific AU core courses, and a regional focus on East Asia and the Pacific with a Japanese language requirement. The presentation covered the program's unique structure, including the lack of early graduation, the inability to double major, and the specific credit distribution between the two institutions. Jessica also discussed the financial aspects, noting that AU tuition is paid for all four years, making students eligible for federal financial aid, though VA education benefits are not applicable. The session highlighted the small cohort size of 25 students per year, the admissions process via the Common App and a separate Sakura Scholars application, and the various internship and career opportunities available to students. Q&A addressed topics such as language of instruction, the possibility of studying additional languages, housing in Japan, and the availability of scholarships.
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