1. Our Classes, Other Countries
  2. Study Abroad Programs
  3. Japan

Japan

The 2027 Japan program will take place from May 10 - 14 in 果冻传媒 and from May TBD in Japan. 

About the Program

Immerse yourself in Japan's rich cinematic and cultural heritage with this unique study abroad program. Through a deep exploration of Japanese films and animation, you鈥檒l gain insights into how cinema reflects and critiques societal issues such as immigration, socio-economic divides, ageism, and nuclear conflict. The program combines engaging film screenings, discussions, and field trips to iconic locations featured in the films. These excursions provide a hands-on experience of Japan鈥檚 cultural landscape, allowing you to connect the stories portrayed on screen with their real-world settings.

About Japan

Japan offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, where centuries-old cultural practices coexist with cutting-edge innovation. In Hiroshima, you will explore how the essence of place shapes cinematic narratives, examining how filmmakers use visual storytelling to reflect and critique the social and cultural environment.

The program culminates in a final research project, where you will analyze a Japanese film of your choice, reflecting on its portrayal of social issues and weaving in insights from your experiences throughout Japan. This immersive journey provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage deeply with cinema, culture, and the stories that continue to shape Japanese society.

Program Requirements

The program cost is $TBD. 

After you have applied for your desired program, you must make a deposit of $500 via 果冻传媒INK. The $500 deposit is applied towards the cost of the program. The initial deadline to apply and pay the deposit is December 15. A $100 late fee will be charged after December 15. 

View Payment Policies & Instructions.
Program cost includes tuition for 6 credit hours, lodging, field trips, insurance, and academic activities. Airfare and meals are not included in the program cost and must be purchased by the student. 

Sociology Courses with Emily Blosser

How did anime, karaoke, and gacha capsules become global phenomena? This experiential two-week course takes students to Tokyo to study "Cool Japan," a real government initiative built to export pop culture worldwide, and explore what happens when something local becomes something the whole world wants. Through visits to Akihabara, the Ghibli Museum, a karaoke box, and more, students trace globalization in action, and see how they themselves, as fans of Japanese culture abroad, are part of the story.

Students examine how food practices reflect culture, social organization, economic conditions, and globalization in Japan. Rather than studying these relationships through readings alone, students use site visits, everyday meals, and ethnographic observation in Tokyo as primary data. They document how food is produced, presented, purchased, and consumed and consider how institutions, markets, work routines, social class, tourism, and national identity shape these practices. Come explore Japan's food culture firsthand, from grabbing a snack at a konbini to sitting down for a traditional kaiseki meal. Through market tours, a hands-on cooking class, and everyday moments like grocery runs and street food walks, students use food as a window into Japanese culture, keeping a daily food journal that turns real experiences into sociological insight. 

Japan Contacts