Kyoto and Osaka, Japan Study Abroad

A mandatory pre-departure orientation will be held at College of DuPage. This typically occurs on a Saturday in May.

All non-COD students are advised to verify course enrollment/credit with their home school before enrolling in the program.

Language Classes

All students are required to enroll in a Japanese language class, held at Kyoto International Academy. Classes will accommodate students at Elementary Japanese I and II, Intermediate Japanese I and II and Advanced Japanese. Prior to the first class, all students will be assessed and placed at the appropriate level. Changes can be made if a student progresses at a faster rate or shows different learning needs.

Civilization and Culture of Japan

All students are required to enroll in this class. The course of study covers the geography, history, political and social institutions and the arts of Japan. The first class meets at the mandatory orientation session. In Japan the course will continue with lectured field trips, visits to museums and directed independent projects involving interaction with the Japanese people and culture. session. Field Trips are an integral component of this class and therefore attendance is mandatory. All students required to keep a journal provided in the first class.  

Kyoto International Academy (KIA)

The school was founded in 1988. The institute provides instruction in Japanese in a warm, congenial atmosphere. It is located northwest of Kyoto. The convenient location of the school allows students to observe the culture of this most traditional city of Kyoto. The school uses the direct method of language teaching, which means that lessons are conducted exclusively in the target language. This enables the students to think in the foreign language immediately and helps build their self-confidence. Materials for the program are critically selected by teachers of KIA.

All KIA teachers are certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Japan and have been specially trained in their method of instruction. They all have university degrees and teaching experience.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive credit in one Japanese course (3-4 credits, level based on placement), and Japanese 1100 (Civilization and Culture of Japan, 3 credits).

The goal of the program is to make textbook language come alive. The whole community serves as a giant classroom for the students. Students will attend Japanese language classes from 9:15am until 12:45pm Monday through Friday. These classes are taught by faculty from the Kyoto International Academy in Kyoto. In addition, prior to departure for Japan, students will attend an Intensive Weekend Seminar during which they will learn about the culture and civilization of Japan. The weekend seminar will also prepare them for the trip.

Activities specified in the program schedule are included in the price of the program.

Optional Excursions

Information will be provided on a variety of optional excursions that are not included in the price of the program

The program cost includes: round trip airfare from Chicago to Japan, ground transportation in Japan, admissions and excursions as listed, course materials, room and board.

Not included in the program cost: tuition for 6-7 credit hours, passport fees, visa fees (if not a US citizen) optional excursions, personal expenses, some meals, telephone calls, checked baggage fee.  

Program fees may be subject to change due to increased costs of transportation or currency fluctuations that are beyond the control of the College. 

We welcome students beyond the application deadline, space permitting. Additional charges may apply.

Money Matters

We recommend at least $250 per week for spending money (lunches, incidentals, museum visits, temple visits, theaters, plus more for optional trips). VISA and MasterCard are widely accepted in Japan. It would be a good idea to take one of these with you. There are automatic teller machines in Japan which accept ATM/Debit cards.

Late Applicants

We welcome students beyond the application deadline, space permitting. Additional charges may apply.

Passport

Each participant must have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months after the anticipated return date to the U.S. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own passports. As passports can take substantial time to obtain, apply for it as soon as possible. Information can be obtained at travel.state.gov/passport

Visa

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Japan. Non-U.S. citizens may need a visa.

Insurance

All participants are required to have medical insurance which is valid outside the United States. Insurance can also be purchased to provide protection against cancellations and lost or damaged baggage.

Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Form

Participants in all Field and Experiential Learning/Study Abroad programs must complete the Liability Release and Assumption of Risk form.

All language classes will be taught by faculty members at Kyoto International Academy (Kyoto). The Culture and Civilization of Japan class will be taught by a College of DuPage faculty member who will also be in residence in Kyoto to counsel, supervise and assist students.

Director

Shingo Satsutani is a Professor of Asian Languages at College of DuPage. A native of Kyoto, Japan, he holds a B.A. in Western Philosophy and a B. Eng. in Civil Engineering from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto; M.A. in Asian Studies from Seton Hall University, New Jersey. His further academic training was extended to the Doctoral Studies in Language, Literacy and Learning at Fordham University, New York. He has taught at Miami University of Ohio prior to coming to COD in 1994. Professor Satsutani has led academic travels and international field studies in various places in Japan more than thirty times, including the College of DuPage Summer Study Abroad Program in Kyoto, Japan. He's been an active leader in ICTFL (Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and IATJ (Illinois Association of Teachers of Japanese, President) and works with Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC) and Consulate General of Japan in Chicago as an advisor for Japanese language related matters such as Business Japanese seminar and an annual Japanese Speech Contest. As a board member of the National Council of the Japanese Language Teachers (2003-2006) he served as their president from 2004-2005. He's been assisting the business matters of the Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) since 2003 for high school Japanese programs. In 2008, he won the National Award for teacher of the year in the United States. His latest keen interest is the Japanese education for the heritage speakers as well as bridging every level of K-16 Japanese education. In addition to his academic interests, Professor Satsutani enjoys ice skating with his kids and playing with his dog.

In the event that the participant withdraws from the program, the right to a refund is limited.

All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing and sent to:

College of DuPage Field and Interdisciplinary Studies/Study Abroad
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 3520
425 Fawell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599