About Program
From ancient traditions to cutting-edge technology, Japan appears to the world as an archipelago packed with wonders and excitement. Yet the view from within can be quite different. In this three-week program, you can experience and understand Japan in a way that only you can.
Begin at the "old capital" of Kyoto, with its temples and shrines that have stood for centuries. Take the train to Fukui, which sits on the coast just across the sea from Korea, and learn about the Japanese craftwork of forging knives and handmaking paper. End the program in the city of Tokyo, to see its preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Throughout the three weeks, we will learn about Japan’s relationships with other nation-states, discussing how it is perceived by—and presents itself to—the world. We will examine gender relations in Japan and how they are depicted in popular culture texts. What is different about life in Japan from our lives in Fullerton, California, the United States? What is the same?
The program includes excursions to the city of Nara, a scavenger hunt in Tokyo, and discussions about anime and manga. Prepare yourself for lots of popular culture and humidity!
Program Highlights
- Earn 6 upper division GE credits while studying for 3 weeks in Japan.
- Prepare for the trip through predeparture classes on campus and get to know your fellow study abroad companions.
- Enjoy a full-day excursion to Nara with guided tours through its historical parks and temples.
- Visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk through its famous path of torii gates.
- Learn about the history of manga at Kyoto's International Manga Museum.
- Meet with students at Fukui's Jin-ai University and learn about life on a Japanese university campus.
- Take part in workshops to create your very own items of Japanese traditional crafts to take home.
- Experience the famous Tokyo "rush hour"—if you dare!
Questions? Contact Jaycee Cover at (657)278-2070 or jcover@fullerton.edu
Why I Studied Abroad
"Only one percent of college students study abroad, and I'm so glad that I chose to be one of them. Studying abroad was a dream come true, and being able to support my expectations with some firsthand experience was both a challenge and a reward. If you're truly prepared to immerse yourself in another culture and ingest what it has to offer, it will change you - for the better. I highly recommend that you take the plunge!"
- Kirsten O'Brien, 2016
Program Courses
HUM 350: Life and Culture in Globalizing Japan (3 units) [GE C.3 & Z]
This interdisciplinary course provides a broad background to contemporary Japanese culture through a social, historical, and cultural approach. We examine Japanese traditions and institutions to discuss the ways in which Japan's government and people relate to other cultures in a globalizing society.
WGST 302 / PHIL 302. Introduction to Women's Studies (3 units) [GE D.5]
This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to women’s issues and research. By examining literary and visual texts, we discuss how the spectrum of gender identities emerge and how different societies define gender roles and categories.
Program Fee and Financial Aid
Program Advising & Information
Location: Student Success Center, room H-112
Exploration Events and Information Sessions
For more information please contact Jaycee Cover to schedule an appointment at jcover@fullerton.edu or stop by the Student Success Center in room H-112, 8am-5pm M-F.
Questions? Contact Jaycee Cover at (657) 278-2070 or jcover@fullerton.edu
Photo Credits: Japanese shop by Sparkclay Banks,unsplash. Japanese street by Sorasak, unsplash. Tokyo Night by Richard Schneider, CC BY-NC 2.0. Japanese students by MIKI Yoshihito, CC BY 2.0. Tokyo Grand Prince Hotel Gardens, CC BY-NC-SA 2.5. All modified.