CAH : From Asakusa to Zen - Spring Break in Japan

Japan Today: from
Asakusa to Zen
March 15-26, 2007

This 10 day spring break program is an introduction to two major centers of culture and history in Japan: Tokyo and Kyoto. Students will fly into the capital, and spend four days in Tokyo exploring the Fukagawa Edo Museum, Seicho Garden, Hachiman Shrine, Asakusa district, Imperial Palace, and much more. Also included will be an early morning field trip to Tsukiji market – complete with the opportunity to try sushi for breakfast! Students will then take the Shinkasen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto, and spend five days discovering all that this historic capital has to offer. Excursions include the Silver Temple, Heian Shrine, and attending an evening show of Japanese traditional performance arts. In both cities, students will have free days to explore and experience the culture.

This class is designed to provide an introduction to the history, culture and current socioeconomic development of Japan. Today's Japan combines the world's second largest economy and one of East Asia's oldest and most important cultures. The class will combine classroom lectures and readings with a number of excursions in Japan in order to provide students with an opportunity to personally experience and advance their knowledge of this critical country. The main requirement of the course is an 8 page research paper on some aspect of modern Japanese history or culture. Please visit the website for a syllabus.

Accommodation & Meals

Students will be housed in local hotels. In Kyoto, participants will have the chancefs to experience a traditional- style Japanese hotel by staying at the Iroha Ryokan. There, participants can try sleeping on a tatami mat and enjoy a traditional-style Tachibana Kaiseki dinner, characteristic of the Kyoto region. Several dinners and lunches are included in the program, but students are responsible for their own meals on free days.

This program is open to students of any academic level or major with a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Acceptance is based on personal commitment, flexibility, and maturity and suitability for study abroad.

Applications available here. $50.00 nonrefundable application fee is part of the application.
Deadline for applications: January 12, 2007
$300 program deposit due: February 2, 2007
Program balance due:* February 16, 2007       * Non-financial aid students only.
For financial aid recipients, program balance is due when aid becomes available in winter quarter.

The program fee is TBA, and includes CWU credits, housing, some meals, travel within Japan (train), cultural events/excursions, and the cost of instruction abroad. Airfare is estimated at $600- $1000, and additional meals at $200. Please note: airfare may ultimately be included in the program fee; please stay tuned for details, and visit the study abroad website for a sample budget. Please also budget for personal expenses, health insurance, and passport fees.

Note: Program will run only with sufficient enrollment. Prices and dates are subject to change.

Three required classes and an orientation will be held prior to departure - dates TBA.

Most types of financial aid apply toward program costs. For more information, please refer to the Study Abroad Financial Aid & Scholarships web page.

Interested? Contact one of the faculty coordinators Dr. James Cook | Mariko Okada-Collins 963-1668, or come to one of our information sessions:

• 11/14, 4-5pm, Int'l Center, room 101
• 11/29, 2-3pm, SURC 140
• 11/30, 2-3pm, Int'l Center, room 101

Students are responsible for securing their own passports and for entering Japan. Vaccination information can be found at www.cdc.gov, under and also by contacting the Kittitas County Health Department at 962-7515.

Many meals are included in the program, and will include a set menu that's served individually (i.e., not family style). Vegetarians and students with special dietary needs should be aware that in these situations, substitutions are difficult or impossible.

Applicants should be aware that many historical sites and temples are reached by 15-30 minute hikes, up hills. At these sites, no alternative transportation is available.