Akita International University: Once Upon a Time in Japan

Akita, Japan

Information

Area of Study:

Asian Studies, History

Program Type:

Direct Enrollment

Language of Instruction:

English

GPA:

Language Prerequisite:

Advisor Name:

Leanne Olona

Advisor Email:

studyabd@unm.edu

Overview

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO THIS PROGRAM YOU MUST APPLY BY FEB 10TH

Once Upon a Time in Japan is a unique, intensive Japanese history seminar that takes students to over 30 historical sites in 10 cities over three weeks. Students travel from Aomori in the north to Kagoshima in the south while also traveling from Jomon prehistory forward in time to World War II. At each site, students take part in English-language, on-site lectures and discussions about the sites' historical roles, deepening their understanding of Japanese history and reinforcing their lessons with personal experience.

No Japanese language ability required! The course contents are taught entirely in English and the program includes survival Japanese lessons to help students in their travels.

Due to various financial and other conditions here at AIU which are sadly beyond the control of the program creator and coordinators, 2023 is almost certainly the last year AIU will be able to offer the Once Upon a Time in Japan program in anything like its current form!
Considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Japan, all participants will have access to Japanese-English telephone interpretation and emergency consultation service for arrangements of medical care.
If the participants feel ill during the program (including COVID-19 infections), note that they will have to bear the costs of 1) medical expenses and transportation to and from the hospital, 2) hotel accommodations during the recovery period (if any), and 3) transportation back to the program after recovery.
AIU may be forced to cancel a part or all of the program in case of circumstances beyond the university’s control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, security concerns, or insufficient program participation numbers.

YouTube video about the seminar

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Academics

JAS 390 Once Upon a Time in Japan: Traveling Seminar in Japanese History is an advanced Japanese history course with over 90 hours of instruction worth six AIU credits. All participating students will receive an official transcript sent to their home institution after the conclusion of the program. This program introduces some of the most important events in Japanese history, from Jomon prehistory up to Japan's emergence in 1869 as a modernizing nation on the world stage, before extending into the Meiji period and the seeds of Japan's defeat in World War II.

There are no prerequisites for this course, other than an inquisitive disposition and excitement to learn more about Japanese history in person!

This travel-intensive program can be physically strenuous; it involves a lot of standing as well as walking (up to eight kilometers per day at some points) and visiting multiple cities. As a result, participants must be able to handle this level of physical exertion. Students with pre-existing medical conditions are highly recommended to consult with their physician in advance about their capability to handle the physical and mental demands of the program, as well as about the risk of contracting COVID-19 before carefully deciding on their participation in the program. Due to the nature of this traveling seminar, which makes heavy use of both trains and buses and relies on a strict schedule, we regret that it will unfortunately not be possible to offer accommodations for students with physical/mobility disabilities or conditions that require extended rest periods.

View the course syllabus here

Location

23 Days, 10 Cities, Over 30 Site Visits

Even during the relatively "slow" first week in Akita, you will have six site visits over nine days, plus join classes on campus. Once you board the shinkansen to leave Akita, you will be on the move for the remainder of the program with up to five site visits per day. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes!

Housing

Program participants live in Komachi Residence Hall with AIU degree-seeking students as roommates during their time at AIU.

During the traveling portion of the program, all participants will stay in hotels arranged by AIU. Lodging fees are included in the program cost.

Links

Program Website

Costs

550,000 JPY (approx. USD 4,000) /person

・ All the accommodations for the entire trip are included.

・ The above excludes the cost for the domestic rail pass, site entry fees, meals during travel, incidentals, and the round-trip travel to Japan. Additionally, medical expenses, transportation to and from the hospital in the event of illness, hotel accommodations during the recovery period, and transportation back to the program after recovery, if necessary, will be the responsibility of the individual student.

・ The above price is for exchange students from partner institutions.

・ US Dollar (USD) estimates are current as of December 1, 2022 and are provided for reference only. All fees will be charged based on the amount in Japanese Yen (JPY). Costs are subject to change in future years.

・ Considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Japan, all participants will have access to Japanese - English telephone interpretation and emergency consultation service for arrangements of medical care. This service is included in the program fee.