Japan, Fukuoka

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Program Location

Map of Japan with the Japanese flag

Fukuoka is the economic and industrial center of Kyushu Island with the population of 2.5 million, the sixth largest city in Japan. Fukuoka has both historical places, represented by Dazaifu Shrine and modern aspects such as “Canal City” shopping and entertaining center. The city is approximately 677 miles and a 90-minute flight from Tokyo.

Quick Links

Scholarships & Funding

Program Brochure

Program Itinerary

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Emi Ochiai Ahn

World Languages Department
P: 480-461-7692
Office: 41 - Room: 103
[email protected]

June 1-June 16, 2025

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 an automobile 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. You will also visit Ohori Park Japanese Garden/Art Museum, visit local 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)

Summer Courses You Will Take During Program

  • 6 credit program - Registration for courses will begin in March 2025.
  • REQUIRED online pre-departure coursework: May 12-30, 2025; PSY 132 has an assignment due on 6/24/25 after the trip ends.
  • JPN115 16466 Beginning Japanese Conversation I (3 cr) OR
  • JPN116 16467 Beginning Japanese Conversation II (3 cr)
  • PSY132 16473 Psychology and Culture (3 cr) [C, G, SB]
  • MCC instructors will accompany students while in Japan. This trip is an ACADEMIC program that requires the participating students to attend all classes, complete all assigned work, and take all examinations at the scheduled days and times before, during and after the trip. In addition, all students MUST attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation as well as attend on-site lectures, excursions, events, projects, and post-program activities. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in a failing grade and/or removal from the program.
  • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.

Photo Gallery

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A group of students indoors sitting with legs crossed
Mesa Community College on a jumbotron at a Japanese sporting event
Students playing Japanese instruments
Students dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos
Students kneeling at a table in Japan
Students pose in front of an ornate building in Japan
A student posing with calligraphy by two Japanese colleagues
Students in front of a rock formation an lush Japanese trees
A group of students in front of a statue of a man in Japan
A student shows off his painting skills while in Japan

Detailed Information

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.
  • During the summer, Fukuoka, Japan experiences temperatures ranging from the low to high 80's with an average relative humidity of 76% (very different from the dry climate in Arizona). Lightweight, loose fitting clothing made with breathable fabric is suggested.

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 (2024). 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

 $3,241

Program Fee Due: February 14, 2025

$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: $97 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $217 per credit hour ($1,317 incl registration fee)

How to Pay

$ 15
$ 582
Airfare (estimated cost) $2,450

Do NOT purchase your flight until after the program fee deadline.  Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program once minimum enrollment has been met.  It is recommended that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in the event you are unable to attend due to new job opportunities, illness or an emergency.

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

 $ 270 Not needed until you land in Japan!
TOTAL Estimated Costs $6,558 (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals)
 
ADDITIONAL COSTS    
Optional Wi-Fi Estimate $65  
Textbooks N/A No textbooks required!
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 of $3.56 per day 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!

If program reaches full capacity, you will be put on a waitlist.

  
  • Application Deadline: Feb., 2, 2025
  • Complete online application.   Application cycle is now CLOSED.
  • Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applications are reviewed & approved on a rolling basis.

Scholarships and Funding Your Program

Title Date(s) More Information

Maricopa Grant

MAXIMUM AWARD: $500

  • England & Puerto Peñasco programs are excluded.
  • Requires 2024-25 FAFSA and demonstration of financial need.
  • Must meet course applicability requirements.
  • Must be in an approved degree program at Mesa Community College.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen.

Deadline: 

Open from October 15, 2024-February 9, 2025

Must have put down a program deposit by Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at 5 pm.

Maricopa Grants will be announced after Summer financial aid begins awarding (typically mid-April to early-May).

Scholarship Portal

Keyword Search: Study Abroad Program at Mesa Community College

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 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
CashCourse
This free online resource is a great place to go for money management info, tips, calculators, articles, worksheets, and quizzes that can assist you in achieving financial success now and in the future.		 Take advantage of this great resource for Mesa Community College students to help budget for your study abroad program!

How To Register For Your Free CashCourse Account

1. Go to https://www.cashcourse.org/

2. Click on "Register for a Free Account" under the Students circle.

3. Fill in all of the required information fields and click Register.

Be sure to check out the Financial Tools. The Budget Wizard is an easy-to-use tool to start tracking where your money is going.
Title Date(s) More Information

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Students MUST apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from (even if taking program classes from MCC).

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)
11:59 PM PST

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

March 6, 2025
11:59 PM PST

Application NOW OPEN!

GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP

Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship!

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

1:30 pm

meet.google.com/ofr-piyd-jtn
  • 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 Gilman Brainstorming Worksheet to help articulate ideas to frame your essays.
  • 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

Gilman-McCain Eligibility

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)
11:59 PM PST

January Application Deadline

Thursday, January 9, 2025
11:59 pm PST

Application cycle is now OPEN!
  • 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:
Contact A New Leaf

[email protected]

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: [email protected]
Title Date(s) More Information

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship

Application Opens:

Typically mid-November

Deadline:

Typically mid-January

Eligibility:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
  • Financial Need is determined by the Fund for Education Abroad Financial Aid Form.  Applicants must have a completed FAFSA for current academic year.
  • Demographic Factors that are considered include first-generation college student status, racial identity, and community college experience.
  • Academic Plan and Preparedness are determined by your essays and unofficial transcript.
Title Date(s) More Information
MCC Honors Program
Study Abroad Scholarship

Deadline:  March 3, 2025

Maximum Award: $250

Refer to MCC Honors Program for current details!

If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $250 study abroad scholarship!

For more information, call 480.461.7143.

Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

Title Date(s) and Time More Information

Virtual

General Information Sessions

Playback of webinar on Nov. 18, 2022 during International Education Week

Recording Password: 5mE6StzU

For any questions, please contact [email protected] or the individual faculty program directors.

Financial Aid Contact Information

Financial Aid FAQS

At Southern & Dobson, contact Adela Bob at 480.461.7436 or at [email protected].

At Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton in Financial Aid at 480.654.7760 or at [email protected].

Mandatory Orientation

Sat., April 12, 2025

9 am - 2 pm

MCC Southern & Dobson campus

Room: TBA

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