Japan, Fukuoka

June 4-June 19, 2023

By Marina Delluc, 2017 participant

Scholarships & Funding

Program Brochure

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Emi Ochiai Ahn

Residential Faculty of Japanese | World Languages Dept.
P: 480-461-7692
Office: 41 - Room: 103
emi.ahn@mesacc.edu

Download

Itinerary

Program Location

Map of Japan

Japan is home to 18 cultural and 4 natural UNESCO World Heritage sites that can be found throughout the country.

Fukuoka is in Kyushu Island with the population of 2.5 million, the sixth largest city in Japan. The average temperature in May is 90.1 degrees (high) and 60.1 degrees (low) with 10 inches of precipitation. It is bordered on the west, south, and east side by mountains and faces the Sea of Japan on the north. The city is approximately 677 miles and a 90-minute flight from Tokyo.

Fukuoka is the economic and industrial center of Kyushu Island and because it is very close to other Asian countries, the harbor has played an important role. Fukuoka has both historical places, represented by Dazaifu Shrine and modern aspects such as “Canal City” shopping and entertaining center.

Take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity in Fukuoka, Japan, where you will learn the language as well as conduct a psychological analysis of the traditional and current Japanese pop cultures.

Excursions will include visits to a local robot company, the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine and Kyushu National and Kitakyushu Manga museums, participation in a Hakata doll painting and Japanese tea ceremony as well as the opportunity to watch a Japanese baseball game and hear a lecture on the business management of a baseball team. You will also visit Ohori Park Japanese Garden/Art Museum, visit local elementary and high schools and have a kimono dress-up experience.

Highlights of your stay in Japan will include 4 nights with a local Japanese host family. This is a rare opportunity to establish relationships with Japanese people and to learn the way of life in Japan!

Fukuoka awarded Best in Travel 2023 by Lonely Planet!

Lonely Planet suggests: 8 Best Things to Do in Fukuoka

    Cultural Excursions

    (may vary from year to year)

    Courses Offered (6 credits)

    • JPN115 Beginning Japanese Conversation I 17128 (3 cr) OR
    • JPN116 Beginning Japanese Conversation II 17129 (3 cr)
    • PSY132 Psychology and Culture 17167 (3 cr) [C, G, SB]
    • Online coursework required: May 15-June 2, 2023
    • MCC instructors will accompany students while in Japan.
    • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
    • NOTE: EffectiveOctober 11, 2022, entrants to Japan are required to show either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate of three doses of vaccines prescribed on the Emergency Use List of World Health Organization (WHO), or a certificate of negative test result of pre-departure COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the original country/region.

    Japan Program Details

    • Double occupancy lodging is provided except when staying with Japanese host family for 4 nights.
    • Physical requirements: Long walks through town including staircases without elevator access will be required.

    Did You Know??

    • There are millions of vending machines in Japan, and they sell everything from candy and sodas to cell phones and iPods.
    • Japan has one of the world's largest economies even though it has few natural resources and must import most raw materials.
    • The Toyosu Market in central Tokyo is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, replacing the Tsukiji Market in October 2018.
    • Baseball is Japan's most popular sport.
    • Currency used in Japan is the yen (Japanese: 円, symbol: ¥; code: JPY; also abbreviated as JP¥)
    • Read more detailed cultural information on Japan provided by CultureGrams™
      Japan (2022). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.
    • Diversity Abroad Japan Destination Guide

    Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines

    Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline

    Program Fee
    Includes lodging and 4-day homestay, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, and secondary medical insurance.

    How to Pay

    $2,527

    Program Fee Due: March 3, 2023

    $250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance

    Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline.

    Registration Fee
    Tuition:
    6 credits
    In-state: $85 per credit hour
    Out-of-state: $205 per credit hour

    How to Pay

    $ 15
    $510

    Airfare (estimated cost) $2,050

    Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare.

    Meals
    Daily breakfasts included and meals when living with your host family for 4 days.
    Other meals are NOT included in program fee except for Farewell Dinner

    $ 400 Not needed until you land in Japan!
    TOTAL Estimated Costs $5,502 (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals)
    ADDITIONAL COSTS
    Optional Wi-Fi Estimate $89
    Textbooks N/A

    Possible PCR Testing

    Vaccination Requirements

    Subject to change

    As of October 11, 2022, all entrants to Japan are required to show either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate of three doses of vaccines prescribed on the Emergency Use List of World Health Organization (WHO), or a certificate of negative test result of pre-departure COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the original country/region.

    www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page25e_000334.html

    Insurance for Participants 60+ Years of Age $3.56 per day The program fee includes secondary insurance for participants ages 18-59. There is an additional insurance charge for students 60 years and over.
    Passport

    Passport Info Here

    Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.

    $165/130
    (new/renewal)

    Be sure to allow at least 14-18 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
    Visit the U.S. Department of State website for current fees and processing times.
    Program Application Deadline
    Space is limited.
    Apply early to reserve your place!
    • Application Deadline: February 3, 2023
      Waitlist Capacity - Check back after March 3, 2023
    • Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
    • Complete online application.
    • Applications are reviewed & approved on a rolling basis.

    Scholarships and Funding Your Program

    Title Date(s) More Information

    International Education
    Scholarship

    1 application for 2 scholarships!

    IE Study Abroad Scholarship

    • Does NOT require FAFSA but it helps!
    • If you are receiving financial aid from another MCCCD college, please share your FAFSA with MCC (school code 001077) two weeks prior to scholarship deadline.
    • Award Range: $250-$900

    Maricopa Grant

    • Requires 2022-23 FAFSA
    • Award Range: $250-$500

    Deadline:

    Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

    Get information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.

    PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:

    • Be accepted into your study abroad program. Apply early!
    • Pay the program deposit of $250 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
    • IE Study Abroad Scholarship awards will be announced via email in late February.
    • Maricopa Grants announced in mid-April-May when Summer financial aid begins awarding.

    STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

    Title Date(s) More Information
    MCC Honors Program
    Study Abroad Scholarship

    Deadline: March 3, 2023

    Maximum Award: $500

    If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!

    For more information, call 480.461.7143.

    Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

    Title Date(s) More Information

    Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

    Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

    Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.

    OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM

    March Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)

    March 7, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    October Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of October (awards announced by December)

    October 3, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    Maximum Award: $5,000

    • Must be a Pell Grant recipient.  Students apply indicating the school they are receiving their Pell Grant funding from. If you are not a receiving Pell Grant funding through MCC, you must apply for the Gilman through the school that you are receiving financial aid from.
    • Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
    • Review Gilman Essays Writing Tips.
    • Review writing resources for ideas on crafting your Statement of Purpose:
    • Bring your draft to the Writing Center and get feedback on how to polish your "diamond in the rough"!
    • For application instructions, review this walkthrough video.
    • Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
    • Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select Mesa Community College

    Gilman-McCain Scholarship

    Overview of Program

    October Application Deadline
    Tues. of October (awards announced by December)

    October 2022 deadline passed
    11:59 PM PST

    March Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)

    March 7, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    Maximum Award: $5,000

    • Must be a child dependent of an active/activated US military personnel during time of application.
    • Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient.  Title IV funds include:
      • Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
      • Direct PLUS Loans
      • Federal Pell Grants
      • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
      • Federal Perkins Loans
    • Use the same Gilman application system as other Gilman Scholarship applicants.  Applicants will simply confirm that they are child dependent of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
    • If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child dependent of an active duty military member, then the student is eligible for both Gilman scholarships and will automatically be considered for both but eligible to receive only one. If they are selected for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, then they will no longer be considered for the Gilman Scholarship.
    Title Date(s) More Information

    A New Leaf Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

    A match savings program designed to help individuals save their own money in a special savings account and have their money matched for tuition, textbooks, and some study abroad program expenses with an 8:1 match.

    Deadline:
    October 31, 2022

    Eligibility:

    • Must have earned income
    • Be a resident of Arizona
    • Income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty line
    • Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
    • Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
    • Complete a financial wellness workshop and any other program requirements
    • Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org

    Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

    Title Date(s) and Time More Information

    Virtual

    General Information Sessions

    Friday, November 18, 2023

    11 am 

    maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/j.ph...

    ID: 24866760151

    password: Sim3dS8nJ9n

    Join by Phone

    (US toll) +1 602-666-0783

    access code: 24866760151

    Financial Aid Contact Information

    Financial Aid FAQS

    At Southern & Dobson, contact Adela Bob at 480.461.7436 or at adela.bob@mesacc.edu.

    At Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton in Financial Aid at 480.654.7760 or at tori.stanton@mesacc.edu.

    Mandatory Orientation

    Sat., April 15, 2023

    9 am - 2 pm

    Room LB145 in the Elsner Library at the Southern & Dobson campus.

    You must attend the mandatory study abroad orientation!
    There may be additional required meetings for your specific program. Contact the Program Director for details.