Experience Osaka, Japan this summer!
Tradition and modernization combine in this amazing Japanese city.
Relax in the grace and charm of the orient this summer on an adventure of a lifetime! You will delight in delicious food, fantastic art, amazing architecture, the list goes on and on! The beauty of Osaka is unmatched throughout Japan, and has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries! Japan holds a unique blend of “Old” and “New” styles, both artistically and culturally, from the early feudal era to modern day! This and much more await your exploration this summer. Of course, we will show you all the famous tourist attractions around Osaka, such as the Namba shopping district and the famous Osaka Samurai Castle, but you will also be free (within our safety guidelines) to enjoy the city’s famous café scene and shopping districts with your good friends in tow. This free time is balanced well against your time spent in class. Exploring Osaka with friends will be a nice reprieve from your academic coursework! Apply today to join us for a summer in Osaka, a city of tradition, culture and art.
You will live in upscale, comfortable student apartments or hotels, in the very center of the city. You’ll be just a short walk from the Namba shopping district, the Osaka Castle, and the heart and soul of Osaka! Our accomodations are rented and controlled by World Class Programs and you will only live with other World Class students. In the apartments, each bedroom is shared by two to four students with staff members housed in a fully separate accomodation in the same location. In addition, if any program is large enough, that program will also have a dedicated World Class Programs Security Officer staying in the building, who will be on-call to the needs of the students 24/7.
Every student on the program will choose two classes as their academic focus while living in Japan: a major focus and an minor focus. Major classes meet every morning, Monday through Friday, while minor classes meet three afternoons a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All classes can be chosen as either a Major or a Minor.
Electives and Workshops
Japanese language Fine Art & Drawing Philosophy Photography Japanese History Manga Creation Japanese Cuisine
Japanese Language
Introduces basic language skills. Development of listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills to become proficient at the appropriate level. Japanese culture will be learned through guided speaking with natives that are introduced to develop cultural understanding and sensitivity. This class will have an emphasis on interpersonal communication with native Japanese speakers throughout the trip to fully immerse students into the language.
Fine Art & Drawing
Introduces basic drawing, and painting skills, as well as continues advanced techniques based on student skill level. This course emphasizes direct observation. A variety of museum tours are included so the student can engage in studio drawing, critical evaluation of aesthetics, critique sessions and side lectures based on our Experiential Learning Method.
Photography
Introduces and expands on the exploration of digital camera function, digital image editing software and digital printing technology. This course will emphasize student's development of individual artistic voice while engaging with technological, aesthetic, and conceptual issues in their work while abroad. Students are required to supply their own Digital SLR camera for this course.
Philosophy
Philosophy has long been the center of eastern culture and religion. One of the great schisms of thought through the philosophical method is the branching of eastern and western thought. Our curriculum for this course focuses on defining the differences between eastern and western philosophy, and the influences that they have had on the development of society and on culture. Religions such as Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism, will help guide our way through deepening our understanding of Eastern Philosophical thought.
Japanese History
Students will learn about Japanese history from its earliest beginnings, through the Sengoku Gendai (Feudal Japan), to its presence today as a modern day world power.
Manga Creation
Exploring Manga, a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels for all ages. Students will take a trip to local Manga stores to see how this unique art form all started. After learning about the history and technique that is involved in the creation of Manga, students will have the opportunity to use these skills in a practical application in which they create their own Manga.
Japanese Cuisine
In this hands-on class, our instructor will show you how to transform local ingredients into a delicious Japanese meal. We’ll walk you through the steps for preparing sushi, authentic sticky rice, and other Japanese dishes. Students will visit local Japanese markets to learn how to buy fresh and cook even fresher. While learning how to prepare Japanese dishes, students will be sampling from local restaurants to get a taste for how the native Japanese cooks prepare food.
In addition to showing you all the most celebrated and “lesser known” cultural sites in Osaka, the program allows you to explore cities throughout Japan each week. From the bustle of Tokyo, to the quiet cultural capital of Kyoto, you and your new friends will be able to explore some of the legendary sites that make Japan one of the most visited and unique countries in the world.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the unique culture and lifestyle of Japan
- Enjoy delicious local food (rice, fish, and chopsticks, OH MY!)
- Explore breathtaking historical landmarks
- Make lifelong friends to share this experience with
- Grow as a person and become an independent world traveler
- Walk the torii gates in Kyoto and be transported back in time
- Learn about anime and manga and the rich culture that comes with it
- Admiring the legendary archaeological finds and rich Japanese history at the Kyoto National Museum
- A day spent dressing up in traditional clothing in Kyoto
- Visiting the various Japanese cities and experiencing all of Japan
- Taking the time to sketch the Osaka Castle in our Fine Art class
- Touring the Imperial palace in Kyoto
- Iron Chef culinary competition at our residence judged by the staff
- Our “Night Photography” adventure activity
- Manga creation workshop with Japanese manga artists
- Shopping with friends in Namba
- Playing video games in a local arcade as part of our Japanese classes
- Eating delicious sushi from an all-you-can-eat sushi go-round restaurant