Program not offered in 2021 due to COVID-19
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 about the cultural/historical heritage and tradition of Japan as well as the current pop cultures represented by Anime or Manga, business, economic and entrepreneurial environments. Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun," boasts the fifth largest economy in the world and has been known for decades as one of the world's cultural, technological, and economic hubs.
The city of Fukuoka has the highest rate of start-up businesses in Japan, which makes it the ideal location to study the business, economic and entrepreneurial environment! Fukuoka entrepreneurs will give international business presentations to participants.
Japanese cultural excursions will include visits to a local robot company, participation in Hakata doll painting and a Japanese tea ceremony, visits to the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine and Kyushu National and Kitakyushu Manga museums as well as the opportunity to watch a Japanese baseball game and hear a lecture on business management of a baseball team.
Optional excursions include: Aikido martial arts, Ohori Park Japanese Garden/Art Museum, and a kimono dress-up experience.
Highlights of your stay in Japan will include 4 nights with a Japanese host family and your participation in a “Business Start Up Weekend” workshop with Japanese students from the Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center at Kyushu University. This is a rare opportunity to establish relationships with Japanese current and future business leaders and to get a glimpse into trade etiquette and the way of life in Japan!
Cultural Excursions
(may vary from year to year)
- Japanese tea ceremony
- Hakata doll painting
- Dazaifu Shrine and Kyushu National Museum visit
- Japanese baseball game and lecture on business management of baseball team
- Kitakyushu Manga Museum
- Manga/anime-related activities
- Business Start-Up Weekend with Japanese students from the Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center at Kyushu University
- Visit to Yaskawa robot factory
- Visits to local schools
- Optional: kimono dress-up experience, an Aikido martial arts class, and a visit to Ohori Park Japanese Garden/Art Museum.
Courses Offered (6 credits)
- IBS109 17641Cultural Dimension for International Trade (3 cr) [G, SB]
- Instructor: Heidi Hutchins
- JPN115 17607 Beginning Japanese Conversation I (3 cr) OR
- JPN116 17608 Beginning Japanese Conversation II (3 cr)
- Instructor: Dr. Emi Ochiai Ahn
- MCC instructors will accompany students while in Japan.
- Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April TBA from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
- Mandatory course orientation on Saturday, May TBA from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
- Online coursework required from TBA prior to departure.
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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.
- "Start-up Weekend” workshop includes working on teams with business ideas, product/services prototypes, customer validation, business model and execution as well as final business plans and presentations.
- Long walks through town including staircases (without elevator access) may be required.
Did You Know??
- Currency used in Japan is Yen (sign ¥)
- 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.
- Tokyo, the capital of Japan, will host the 2021 Summer Olympics Game.
- Japan tops the global table of life expectancy, 83.7 years old, and the number over 100 years old has reached 67,000 people out of the whole population of 120 million.
- Read more detailed cultural information on Japan provided by CultureGrams™.
Japan (2020). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.
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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.$TBA Program Fee Due: Friday, February 2022
$250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance
Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline of Feb. TBA 2022.
Registration Fee
Tuition: 6 credits
In-state: $85 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $205 per credit hour$ 15
$510Registration for Summer term begins in March.
Tuition Due: TBA
If not a current MCC student, you must admit yourself to MCC prior to registering for courses.
For tuition payment options, visit: www.maricopa.edu/become-a-student/tuition-paying/payment-options
For payment assistance, call 480.461.7400 or contact Cashier Services.
Airfare (estimated cost) $1,695 Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare.
Meals
Daily breakfasts included as well as meals when living with your host family for 4 days.
Other meals are NOT included in program fee except for Farewell Dinner$ 180 Not needed until you land in Japan! TOTAL Estimated Costs $TBA (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals) ADDITIONAL COSTS Textbooks N/A Passport Passport Info Here
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.$145/110
(new/renewal)Be sure to allow at least 6 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: TBA 2022
Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.Complete online application.
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. -
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 2019-20 FAFSA
- Maximum Award: Tuition for classes
Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2020
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
2021 Japan Study Abroad Scholarship Application:
TBAGlobal Ties Arizona Study Abroad Scholarship Deadline: October 1, 2019
5 pm MST
Award: $2,000For students interested in international relations, diplomacy, international trade or any area of international business, Global Ties offers a $2,000 scholarship opportunity.
Eligibility:
- Demonstrate an interest in any of the following areas: international development, international relations, international trade, international economics, or international business
- Completed at least 12 credit hours of college work
- Maintained a 3.0 or better GPA (transcripts must be submitted)
- Priority will be given to youth representing a minority or disadvantaged group in the community that meet all the qualifications as indicated by Global Ties.
- Letters of recommendation (2 professors/instructors).
- Submit a 1,500 – 2,000 word research essay on the following subject: How can citizen diplomacy lessen conflict among nations?
MCC Honors Program Scholarship
Up to $500 Award
Deadline: February 14, 2020
Submit to Honors Office
If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!
Title Date(s) More Information 
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.
Early Summer Application Deadline
1st Tues. of October (awards announced in February)October 1, 2019
11:59 PM CSTSummer Application Deadline
1st Tues. of March (awards announced in April)
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.
- Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
- Review Gilman Statement of Purpose Writing Tips.
- Review Gilman Follow-on Service Project Writing Tips.
- Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
- For essay writing tips, feel free to contact Jenna Parker, Gilman Alumni Ambassador (studied abroad in South Korea 2014), at JennaLParker4@gmail.com.
- Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select "Other" and indicate Mesa Community College
Gillman-McCain Scholarship Deadline: March 3, 2020
11:59 PM PSTMaximum Award: $5,000
- Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient. Title IV funds include:
- Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Must be a child dependent of an active duty military service member.
- 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 (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard).
- 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 Gillman 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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