Japan
Heartland Community College is proud to offer two different summer programs to Japan: one month-long program in partnership with the College of DuPage and a shorter two-week program.
College of DuPage: Kyoto and Osaka
- June 11 to July 12, 2024
The program begins with a field trip in Hiroshima where students are getting to know each other very well. A variety of field trips and excursions are planned throughout the program. These field trips take students to famous temples, shrines, castles, parks and museums. Since Kyoto was a capital of Japan (AD 794 - 1868) and is still regarded as a cultural center of Japan, students will learn a variety of things from living in Kyoto and nearby cities, such as Osaka, and Nara. Transportation and fees for these field trips are all included. Optional weekend trips will also be offered.
Academics
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.
Students will enroll in two courses:
- Appropriate Japanese Language (4 credit hours)
- INTR 102 Introduction to East Asian Culture and Society (3 credit hours)
Accommodations
Students are scheduled to stay at the homes of carefully selected families in Kyoto, Japan during the entire program. Breakfast and supper are provided every weekday during the homestay. Lunches are not included.
Fees
Fee includes round trip airfare from Chicago, transportation in Japan, on-site Japanese classes, accommodations, some meals and some excursions.
Application Deadline
The month-long program is a partner program with COD with applications due to me February 15. If COD has space available, they’ll accept HCC Students.
Parkland College: Japan and Taiwan
- May 15 - June 4, 2025
Experience the ultramodern metropolis of Tokyo, the ancient charm of Kyoto, the unsettling reminder of the nuclear age in Hiroshima, and Osaka, the “kitchen of Japan.”
Explore Taiwan, located in between the South China Sea and the East China Sea. A beautiful island with a rich heritage influenced by both Chinese and Japanese cultures, Taiwan is a perfect blend of tradition, technology, and timeless beauty.
Academics
Students will enroll at Parkland College in one courses:
- HUMA 124: Humanities Field Experience (3 credit hours)
We will study various aspects of Japanese and Taiwanese culture and experience the culture first hand during the trip. The course will introduce a few basic expressions in Japanese, but no previous knowledge of Japanese is required.
Excursions
In Japan, we will stay in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Possible itinerary items are:
- Experience Tokyo's largest matsuri festivals.
- Visit famous locations in Tokyo such as Shibuya Crossing, Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, etc.
- Take a day trip to Kamakura to see the largest outdoor bronze statue of Buddha in Japan.
- Stay a night in a ryokan with Japanese-style rooms (tatami mats and futons). Experience traditional Japanese-style meals and onsen (hot springs).
- Ride the shinkansen (bullet train).
- Visit ancient temples and shrines in Kyoto.
- Take a day trip to the deer park in Nara.
- Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum.
- Take a ferry to beautiful Miyajima and hike in the national park.
- Visit an ancient Japanese castle.
In Taiwan, we will stay in the capital city, Taipei. Possible itinerary items are:
- Visit the Taipei 101 skyscraper to see the city from above.
- Visit Famous Night Markets to taste the large selection of street food.
- Visit the National Palace Museum to learn about Taiwan's history and culture.
- Hike the trails at Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) and climb to its peak.
- See the Chiang-Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the Liberty Square Arch
- Visit Yehliu Geopark
Accommodations
You will be staying in hostels most nights. We will also have a night in a traditional Japanese inn called a ryokan and a night in a capsule hotel.
Fees include
- Lodging with double or more occupancy
- 7-day JR Pass for riding the bullet train (Shinkansen)
- Public transportation card for local trains
Fees do not include: tuition, round-trip airfare (~$1,800), meals, passport fee, optional activities
Application Deadline
Applications are due December 11, 2024.
Eligibility:
- 18 years or older
- 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of at least 12 hours of college-level coursework by the time of departure
- Completion of one college writing course (commonly known as English Composition I and/or II, or its equivalent) with grade of B or better, by the time of departure
How to Apply:
To apply, please contact Zach Petrea, the Study Abroad Coordinator at 309-268-8613 or zach.petrea@heartland.edu