AKP: A National Consortium

The Associated Kyoto Program, Inc. (AKP) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It operates an independent program for undergraduate students from sponsoring American colleges and universities in cooperation with Doshisha University. Since its inception in 1972, the AKP has provided study opportunities in Kyoto for over 1,450 students and, with assistance from foundations and corporations, has provided fellowships to dozens of American and Japanese faculty members for research and teaching abroad. In addition to inviting Visiting Faculty Fellows from our consortium institutions to offer classes and conduct research in Kyoto, the AKP recruits scholars living in Kyoto to offer special seminars to complete the curriculum.

AKP Administrative Office

The U.S. Office, located on the campus of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, serves as the administrative headquarters for the program. The Chair of the AKP Board of Directors, who also serves as the President of the Corporation, and the Program Administrator have offices on the Bucknell campus and they coordinate and manage the program. The President of each consortium institution appoints a faculty representative who serves on the Board that determines all program policies. In fact, the AKP is one of the only study abroad programs that is governed, managed, and directed by faculty members from its consortium institutions.

AKP Agent College

Smith College provides fiscal and administrative management for the program and grants academic credit to program participants. Students needing an official transcript showing their work at AKP must contact the Registrar at Smith College. Transcript requests cannot be handled through the AKP Administrative Office.

Consortium Institutions

Resident Director History

Program Chair History

AKP Board Meeting Hosts