Overview

World Campus-Japan:

Short-term educational travel program available in Summer In partnership with the Japanese non-profit organization, World Campus International, Inc., AsiaLearn offers an opportunity to take part in a unique educational program with participants from around the globe with World Campus–Japan.

With this program, you will have a chance to gain international experience as well as increase your personal and professional networks all in the authentic backdrop of Japanese culture, politics, and business. World Campus–Japan immerses participants in a variety of Japanese communities, allowing you the opportunity to experience a cross-section of the country rather than only one city. In each location, the program gives you unique access to the Japanese culture and society.

You will interact with people from all walks of life – from business professionals and government officials to school children and disabled citizens. Through small group discussions, field trips, and guest speakers, you will broaden your knowledge and understanding of global issues by sharing your own experiences and perspectives with your fellow class members from around the world.

Interactive activities in local communities will deepen your understanding of Japan and issues shared by all nations. Past programs have had such varied community interactive experiences from attending the public memorial events in Hiroshima featuring the Prime Minister of Japan, to working with disabled citizens in Omura, Nagasaki, to meeting company representatives at Mazda, Toyota, ExxonMobil, and Cannon.

The longer programs also include ongoing Japanese language training for beginners and plenty of practice opportunities for more advanced speakers of the language with both everyday situations and public speaking. You will live in homestay accommodation throughout the program.

From city to city, you will be exposed to a variety of different host families that have a range of values, perceptions, and points of view. This experience offers a fantastic learning opportunity when approached with an open mind, flexible attitude, and excitement to get to know new people.

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Academics

Learning through World Campus-Japan is through an experiential and interactive nature. The skills gained will enhance your personal and professional development. With this in mind, the program does not have a traditional academic component and does not have formal assessment, credit, or grades.

At the end of the program you will receive a certificate of completion. Some past participants have arranged independent studies credit if they are attending university. Contact your academic advisor for credit opportunities at your home university.

Program Components

Program Components

Japanese Language Practice:

There will be regular "Beginner Japanese" language tips and plenty of opportunities for more advanced Japanese speakers to practice and improve their skills including public speaking as well as in everyday life situations.

Communicating with Culture, Art, Music and Multimedia:

World Campus — Japan participants will have a chance to show off their unique talents and thank their host communities during our weekly Thank-you Event. Preparing for this fun and impactful event requires teamwork and is a chance to really connect with the community. Participants will be assisted by the World Campus International, Inc. team regarding ideas for what is appropriate to bring, including: instruments, traditional costumes, music, art and multimedia tools which will add uniqueness to other event components planned by our staff.

Host Family Living:

Participants get to experience Japanese communities in a meaningful way through a variety of different host families that have different values, perceptions and points of view. This offers an unforgettable learning opportunity when approached with an open-mind, a willingness to share experiences and culture as well as a fun attitude. In addition to spending evenings with your host family, there will be one day in each community visit fully dedicated to being with your host family.

Community Interaction and Personal Time:

There will be visits arranged in each community that allows participants to better understand the uniqueness of a particular host community from a cultural, political, business view or simply for fun. There will also be time designated in the schedule for participants to balance both social times with host families and downtime to rest up a bit, catch up on laundry, or get out on their own.

Program Itinerary

Click here to view the itinerary for the current World Campus - Japan programs.

Program Locations

Summer 2010 Programs

Session 1: June 5th - June 19th

Arao / Kumamoto (Kumamoto)
Hiroshima (Hiroshima)

Session 2: June 23rd - July 7th

Omura (Nagasaki)
Uda (Nara) *near Kyoto

Session 3: July 11th - July 25th

Ueda (Nagano)
Toride (Ibaraki) *Tokyo suburb

Session 4: July 29th - Aug 12th

Tama (Tokyo)
Toyota (Aichi)

Session 5: Aug 16th - Aug 30th

Mito (Ibaraki)
Abiko (Chiba) *Tokyo suburb

*The above schedule is “Tentative” and the placement of the cities is subject to change.

**You have the option to apply for one, two or all three programs which would give you time off in between each program to explore Japan on your own and at your own cost.

Housing

Participants will stay in homestay accommodation throughout the program. The homestay experience creates even more intimate access to exploring and understanding the Japanese culture.

In each partner city, World Campus works in very close coordination with a local planning committee made up of a variety of representatives from the local government and businesses as well as community organizations. Host families are found and selected by that local committee with the oversight of our General Manager located in Japan.

Most host families have prior hosting experience and all are selected based on having the proper motivation to engage with our participants and can provide a safe and appropriate home.

About Japan

Japan is an island country separated from the east coast of Asia by the Sea of Japan. It is approximately the size of Montana. Japan’s four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Most of the islands are mountainous, many volcanic; for example, Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, is a volcano. Japan has the world’s tenth largest population, with about 128 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.

Much of Japan’s history has contributed to its homogeneous society. The Japanese highly value group identity and social harmony, even above individual expression. Confucian and Buddhist influences also contribute to this cultural trend. The people are also said to be remarkably conscientious, meticulous, industrious, honest and technically-skilled. Since WWII, the population has become increasinlgy urban, with only 25% of the population still living in the rural mountains and rugged coastlines.

While modern Japan has been heavily influenced by other countries, many traditional elements of the culture can still be experienced in Japan. While studying abroad in Japan, you’ll enjoy the exciting blend of ancient culture and modern society.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program fees are in U.S. dollars. The above fee applies to one 2-week session.  

You have the option to apply for one, two or all three summer sessions, which would give you 3 days off in between each program to explore Japan on your own and at your own cost.

PROGRAM FEES INCLUDED: Accommodation, some meals during the homestay, insurance, transportation during tour, Regional Learning related expenses such as entrance fees or for guides, access to all planned community partner resources such as facilities, speakers, special guests, as well as activities with businesses, politicians and organizations.

Fee Semester

Facts

Dates

Entry Requirements

AsiaLearn Coordinator

Name: Kelli Modica Title: Assistant Manager - AsiaLearn Department: Semester or Year Abroad in Europe and Asia BIO: Kelli manages marketing for all AsiaLearn programs and also manages the study abroad admission and participant pre-trip services to Korea University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, James Cook University Australia - Singapore Campus, Swinburne University of Technology - Sarawak, and the AsiaLearn Summer programs. Kelli graduated with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She studied abroad in Roma, Italy and backpacked across Europe, visiting more than 10 countries. She also worked as an English teacher in South Korea allowing her to travel throughout Korea and Japan.