Japan is opening back up! June 4-June 19, 2023
Watch the Video
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
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Program Location
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)
- Japanese tea ceremony
- Hakata doll painting
- Dazaifu Shrine and Kyushu National Museum visit
- Japanese baseball game
- Kitakyushu Manga Museum
- Manga/anime-related activities
- Visit to Yaskawa robot factory
- Visits to local elementary and high schools for observation & cultural exchange
- Kimono dress-up experience
- Aikido martial arts class
- Ohori Park Japanese Garden/Art Museum.
Courses Offered (6 credits)
- JPN115 Beginning Japanese Conversation I (3 cr) OR
- JPN116 Beginning Japanese Conversation II (3 cr)
- Instructor: Dr. Emi Ochiai Ahn
- PSY132 Psychology and Culture (3 cr) [C, G, SB]
- Instructor: Mia Palmer
- 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.
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Japan Program Details
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- 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
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Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines
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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.$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: $205 per credit hour$ 15
$510- Registration for Summer term begins in March.
- Tuition due dates: www.mesacc.edu/cashier-services/payment-options/payment-plan-schedules-due-dates
- For payment options: www.mesacc.edu/cashier-services/payment-options
- If not a current MCC student, you must admit yourself to MCC, prior to registering for courses.
- For payment assistance, call 480.461.7400 or contact Cashier Services.
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.
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
Applications now being accepted! - Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- Complete online application.
- Applications are reviewed & approved on a rolling basis.
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Scholarships and Funding Your Program
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Title Date(s) More Information International Education
Scholarship1 application for 2 scholarships!
IE Study Abroad Scholarship
- Does NOT require FAFSA
- 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.
- Maximum Award: $1,000
Maricopa Grant
- Requires 2022-23 FAFSA
- Maximum Award: Tuition for classes
Deadline:
TBA
11:59 pm MSTGet information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.
PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:
- Be accepted into the program you are applying for a scholarship to
- Pay the program deposit of $250 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400
2023 Japan Study Abroad Scholarship Application:
TBATitle Date(s) More Information 
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.
October Application Deadline
1st Tues. of October (awards announced by December)October 2022 deadline passed
11:59 PM PSTMarch Application Deadline
1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)March 7, 2023
11:59 PM PSTMaximum 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:
- Loyola University Chicago - Writing Personal Statements
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- University of Connecticut Writing Center - Personal Statements
- YouTube videos on How to Write a Personal Statement
- 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
October Application Deadline
Tues. of October (awards announced by December)October 2022 deadline passed
11:59 PM PSTMarch Application Deadline
1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)March 7, 2023
11:59 PM PSTMaximum 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.
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Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation
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