Japan - Summer Cultural Exploration

Explore

Discover the unique blend of old and new, and traditional and modern in present day Japan. Visit the museum dedicated to your favorite Anime or Manga, see the Buddhist temples of Kamakura, and take Japanese language classes. Deepen your exchange experience by making lifelong friends with local Japanese students who will join you on your program for 10 days in Tokyo. This premier AYUSA Summer Cultural Exploration Program is based in Tokyo (the new) and includes a time in the Kyoto area (the old.) This program is ideal for students who want to learn or improve their Japanese language skills while exploring the changing cultural landscape of Japan.

Learn

Intensive Japanese classes take place each morning, Monday – Friday for three hours per day. To ensure quality instruction courses are taught by fully qualified Japanese instructors, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1. Japanese language ability is further strengthened and enforced through afternoon activities and excursions.

Experience

Two to three afternoons per week, students will experience a sampling of traditional and modern Japanese culture through organized activities. Guided activities include a visit to Akihabara; the center of electronics, Manga and Anime culture. This area of Tokyo is famous for electronics and cafés where the staff dresses up as Anime characters. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the Edo Museum and Imperial Palace. The museum will give students a glimpse into the humble beginnings of Tokyo and a tour of the Imperial Palace grounds will bring a historical perspective to the program. The traditional art of calligraphy (Shodo) is a quintessential Japanese cultural experience. Shodo was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. Students will learn the basics of Shodo from a Calligrapher and have a chance to try their hand at Calligraphy. Local Japanese students will join you on program and offer opportunities for deeper cultural exchange, the chance to practice language skills and make new lifelong friends.

Travel

The weekends are set aside to explore the vibrant heritage and countryside of Japan. The month-long program wraps up in the historically rich area of Kyoto with a visit to Nara. All excursions are guided and chaperoned and include:

• Fujikyu Highlands: This famous amusement park is situated next the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji. Fuji San defines Japan and for centuries has been worshipped as a sacred mountain. If the weather cooperates, you may be able to see Fuji in all its majestic grandeur.
• Nara: The city of Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan, established in 710. Students will visit some of Japan's oldest historical buildings and monuments and the oldest Buddhist Temples.
• Program Finale: Kyoto! The program finishes up with a trip to Kyoto. Once the emperors' residence, Kyoto is one of the few cities in Japan that was spared from air raids in World War II. The historic shrines and temples transport you back to another era.

Housing

In Tokyo, students will stay in dormitories at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in rooms with a shared bathroom. The modern campus facilities include a cafeteria, gym, swimming pool and tennis courts. An On-Site Coordinator will live in the dormitories with the students and supervise activities. All classes will take place within this campus environment. In Kyoto, students will be housed in Japanese style hotels.

Requirements

• 15-18 years old at the time of program departure
• 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
• Flexible and mature personality; desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences