Motonosumi Inari in Japan

Study Abroad in Japan

Study and live among the natural beauty and ancient culture of Japan in Yamaguchi or Akita.

This cultural immersion program explores the philosophy, history, politics, literature and art of this ancient country. Yamaguchi is a prefecture in Japan’s Chugoku region, on the southwest side of Honshu Island. Akita (秋田県, Akita-ken) is a large prefecture at the Sea of Japan coast in the northern Tohoku Region.

Yamaguchi Park

Program Option

Yamaguchi

The Centre-in-Japan program is housed at Yamaguchi Prefectural University, a small university in the Western ancient capital of the Ouchi culture. In this city of temples and pagodas is the famous 1442 Rurikoji temple. Nearby are the restorative baths of the ancient Yuda Hot Springs.

Tokyo Japan

Program Option

Akita

Akita City is the picturesque, prefectural capital surrounded by mountains and the Sea of Japan. Students will be placed in on-campus housing at the Akita International University where they will take classes, immersed in the student population and culture of Akita.

Courses and Cost

Except for the Japanese language class and some non-credit “cultural experiences” such as calligraphy, pottery, and Japanese tea ceremony, all classes are taught in English.

Courses recently offered include:

  • International Relations
  • Zen Philosophy and Zen Culture in Japan
  • Politics of Japan
  • History of US-Japan Relations
  • International Economics and Japanese Society
  • Japan Through its Literature, History, and Art
  • A Cultural Comparison between the US and Japan
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  • Moral Education in Japan and China
  • Modern Japanese Culture
  • History and Arts of Yamaguchi
  • Politics of Japan
  • Cross-cultural Awareness
  • World History
  • Media and Communication in Japan
  • Regional Cultural Studies
  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Students will generally begin their experience in Akita during early September and their course work will end early December. Students are able to choose from a wide range of courses taught in English, as well as Japanese language courses which are offered in all levels.

The estimated cost is the same as studying in Danville, plus a $375 deposit (surcharge/emergency fund/carbon offset), and a $25 travel medicine fee for a total of $400. Flights to the abroad site are also the responsibility of the student.