WAKAYAMA
NARA
KYOTO
OSAKA
Program Overview
From a serene meditation bell ringing out a Koyasan monastery to the cacophony of foot traffic at the Shibuya crossing, Japan is a fascinating merger of old and new.
Amidst the push toward cultural globalization in the internet age, Japan continues to uniquely blend long held traditions with innovative trends in technology and art. Through immersive workshops, interactive cultural experiences, and language lessons, students will delve into the fascinating history, refined elegance, and cutting edge modernity that define Japanese culture.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Engage in hands-on Independent Study Projects to learn about traditional arts and crafts
- Interact with local communities to understand modern-day Japan beyond the tourist spaces
- Take language lessons to build basic Japanese language skills, or to build your fluency
- Gain deeper understanding of Japanese life through short homestays with carefully selected…
Amidst the push toward cultural globalization in the internet age, Japan continues to uniquely blend long held traditions with innovative trends in technology and art. Through immersive workshops, interactive cultural experiences, and language lessons, students will delve into the fascinating history, refined elegance, and cutting edge modernity that define Japanese culture.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Engage in hands-on Independent Study Projects to learn about traditional arts and crafts
- Interact with local communities to understand modern-day Japan beyond the tourist spaces
- Take language lessons to build basic Japanese language skills, or to build your fluency
- Gain deeper understanding of Japanese life through short homestays with carefully selected families
Our journey starts in Tokyo where we plug-in to the electric atmosphere of Japan’s largest city. From the frenetic activity of globally renowned fish markets to the street corner of the busiest intersection in the world, we get a taste of this diverse mega-city. We hop on the ever punctual and speedy bullet train line to take us southward to Osaka. Known for its incredible street food, bustling markets, and 16th-century castle, Osaka is a perfect place to explore on foot.
Our bellies full with delicious tako-yaki, we head to the more rural region of Wakayama. Here students immerse themselves in language classes to help better facilitate interactions with the welcoming local community. We also attend interactive workshops focused on traditional arts and crafts. Working alongside expert mentors, we gain an appreciation for the depth of craftsmanship and societal pride in these long held traditions. Our immersion in the community helps us better understand how Japanese culture and customs manifest in daily interactions.
Excursions take us to the sacred hills of Koyasan, a religious hub of Japanese Buddhism, where we learn about Buddhist practices and sit in meditation alongside monks for a retreat. The final leg of our program takes us to Nara and Kyoto where we explore historic temples, and quintessential Japanese culture, and reflect on the hospitality and many lessons learned during our travels.
