Immerse yourself in Hakodate, the southern gateway to Japan’s striking northern Hokkaidō province. Engage with Japan’s rich history, society, and present-day pop culture.
Back by popular demand, the refreshed two-week Japanese culture group study program will provide students the opportunity to develop cross cultural understanding through exploration of real historical sites and various aspects of contemporary Japanese society, as well as through interaction with Japanese students at the Hokkaido University of Education. Highlights include visits to Tokyo, Sapporo, the famous onsen (hot spring) and the volcanic crater Jigokudani (Hell Valley) at Noboribetsu, , beautiful night view from Mt. Hakodate, the Esashi historic Edo town, and Matsumae Castle. You will also experience a zen meditation demonstration, hands-on lesson and trying on kimono and other traditional Japanese cultural activities such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement!
While less commonly visited by foreign tourists in comparison to Tokyo or Kyoto, Hakodate has been rated as Japan’s most attractive city to visit. It offers breathtaking views, an abundance of historic sites, delicious fresh seafood and a magnificent natural environment. As Japan's first city port to be opened to foreign trade and the setting of the final battle of the Boshin War, Hakodate offers rich history and a unique fusion of old/new and eastern/ western cultures.
Finally, this area offers a wide variety of research project themes, such as indigenous people of Japan, volcanos, hot springs, local food and history of the late Edo Period.
Key Information
Application information
Student Experience
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Professor Yoko Kodama at yykodama@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
Info Session: Oct 13, 2023
Info Session from Oct 13
Program Details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
-
Courses Offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in two courses:
JPNS 309.02:Japanese Culture Studies in an Immersion Setting – Longing, Memory and Inheritance (3 units)
JPNS 317.03: Topics in Japanese Civilization– Japanese Culture History in the Present Day (3 units)
-
Prerequisites
JPNS 309.02: Consent of the instructor
JPNS 317.03: Consent of the instructor
-
Pre-departure
There will be some meetings in the winter semester and pre-departure sessions prior to departure. Dates and times will be determined before Winter semester.
March TBC: Mandatory Pre departure Orientation
May 6, 8, 10, 13, 15: 4.5 hours of coursework each day
Lecture about Japanese Culture, Group Project, blog, Presentations -
In-field
May 22, Calgary/Tokyo: Depart Calgary for Tokyo
May 23, Tokyo: Arrive in Tokyo
May 24, Tokyo: Visit historic and modern sites in Tokyo
May 25 - 28, Sapporo: Guided Tours and academic activities
May 28, Noboribetsu: Onsen Experience (Optional)
May 29 - June 5, Hakodate: Guided Tours and academic activities
June 6th, Hakodate/Calgary: Return to Calgary or independent travel post-program
For a comprehensive program itinerary, please click here
-
Costs
The estimated cost of the Japan: It's Culture and Life Group Study Program will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations, and meals. The program cost is $6,946.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
-
Funding
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked here, for more information.
Faculty of Arts Group Study Program (GSP) Scholarships (for GSP participants) and Faculty of Arts Student Study Abroad Scholarships (for other international programs) - up to 10 awards of $1000 each! Application not currently open. Details to come.
Students will stay at safe, clean and student appropriate accommodations.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from all faculties. Priority will be given to 1. EALS/LILA(Japanese concentration) major, 2. Japanese minor.
-
Online application & Program Specific Questions
All programs have general questions about how this program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program and coping skills. This program also has several questions from the professor that will need to be filled out.
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you copy the questions in advance to work on in Word to check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
-
Unofficial Transcript
- Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre. Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
- Submit your transcript through your online application with your statement of purpose.
-
Recommendation Letter
This program requires a reference form. Please have your professor email it to group.study@ucalgary.ca
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
The cultural study program we took to Hakodate and its surrounding areas was life changing for me. I discovered a love for Japanese folk music and now I am working as an English teacher in school in Hokkaido while being apprenticed under the shamisen musicians we heard during our time there.
Joshua
Past Japan Culture Program Participant
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.