Two semesters (Spring FIU & Summer abroad), 22 days, 6 cities
From $5,000 $3,750 (airfare not included) | Payments as low as $1,625
Structure: Two Semesters
Travel Portion:
2025 (FULL):
Start: Monday, May 19
End: Monday, June 9
Price (airfare not included): $5,000 $3,750
"...I want to share a heartfelt appreciation for all the incredible people I met! This study abroad experience allowed me to explore Japan and engage with the Ainu, learning about their cultural preservation efforts. It was an honor to be part of this journey, and the memories I made will stay with me forever. This trip has been unforgettable, from bonding in the Airbnb, which led to the best inside jokes, to meeting different university students. Even any issues that would come up would later be turned into one of the funniest moments of the trip. Thank you to everyone who made it so special for me. A big thanks to the FIU Honors College for allowing me to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event."
Overview
Why participate?
This course will examine what it is like to live in a sustainable and reciprocal society. We will briefly observe Edo’s (1603 – 1867) ecological lifestyle when traditional technology and culture were at their peak of development just before Japan opened to the West. Additionally, we will observe how tourism, in the form of cultural and anthropological tourism serves as a vehicle for engaging meaningfully and reciprocally with host communities. Then we will discuss the spiritual interaction between nature and the Ainu people, who live a reciprocal lifestyle. A multi-perspective approach will be used to discuss and analyze the development of tourism and its implications for reciprocity and Indigenous communities like the Ainu.
This course will examine reciprocity through the lens of historical, cross-cultural, and cross-generational contexts. We will explore Koyasan and Kyoto to learn about Japanese spirituality and its connection to reciprocity, We will observe Edo’s (1603 – 1867) ecological lifestyle by visiting Edo Tokyo Museum and the downtown of Tokyo, such as Yanaka, Sendagi, Nezu and Asakusa. In Hokkaido, we will discuss the spiritual interaction between nature and the Ainu people, who lived a reciprocal lifestyle with nature and animals by visiting Sapporo University and Hokkaido University in Sapporo city. Then we will visit Ainu village called Akan Kotan. In Akan, we will learn their world view and their reciprocal lives as well as ethnic tourism.
Course focus
- Reciprocity
- Edo Period
- Japanese Culture
- COURSE SYLLABUS: Spring 2025 Syllabus & Summer 2025 Syllabus
Program information
- Spring 2025 (on campus-hybrid): IDH 4007 (3 credits) - MMC, Thursdays, 2:00PM-3:15PM
- Summer A 2025 (abroad): IDH 4008 (3 credits) - May 19-June 9, 2025
Program highlights
- Kimono-Try on activity with Kimono designer
- Meditation class with a Buddhist monk
- Learning traditional Ainu culture, food, dance, and more
- Hiking, Canoeing, and nature immersion
- Collaboration with Japanese University students
- Learning about Japanese "reciprocity"
- Interdisciplinary and applicable to all majors
What is included
- 21 nights in handpicked accommodations
- Domestic flights within program
- Charter bus for airport transfers and few excursions
- English-speaking tour guide for some activities
- Local public transportation with manaca (IC Card)
- 17 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
- 24/7 support from Faculty Director & Program Assistant
- Admission to Gin no Shizuku Museum, Upopoi Museum, Kabuki theatre and so much more
What is not included
- International airfare to/from Osaka, Japan or Tokyo, Japan
- $195.00 Education Abroad administrative fee (OEA Fee)
- FIU in-state tuition (6 credits, $205.57 per credit)
- Passport, visa, and other necessary documents
- Personal expenses, including meals
Key:
(#) = number of nights; airplane = flight
Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change. It is a “living document,” meaning that scheduled "Free Time" may be utilized for in-person quizzes, class meetings, and/or class days.
Students should always consult with their Faculty Director prior to scheduling plans during "Free Time"
Day 1: Osaka
Arrival to accommodation & orientation
Day 2: Koyasan
Travel by chartered bus to Koyasan. Check into traditional temple. Highlights include historical site, forest hike, and Zazen experience at temple
Day 3-5: Kyoto
Travel by chartered bus to Kyoto. Highlights include Kyoto walking tour, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ryoan-ji Temple, Koryu-ju Temple, Nishiki Market visit, and more
Day 6-12: Sapporo
Domestic flight to Sapporo. Highlights include visit Sapporo University Urespa Club, Miami Culture Presentation by FIU Honors students, Ainu lecture & collaboration with Urespa Club, Teine community service, kimono wearing lecture, chime concert, sushi making class, "Drops of Silver" Memorial Museum visit, UPOPOI Ainu Museum, and more
Day 13-16: Akan
Travel by chartered bus to Akan. Connecting with the Ainu community. Highlights include Ainu Traditional Dance performance, lecture by Ainu elders, midterm Story Map presentation, performances at Ainu Theater IKOR, Ainu dinner class, Mukkur making, canoeing in Akan Lake, farewell party, and more
Day 17-22: Tokyo
Domestic flight to Tokyo. Highlights include Asakusa visit, Meiji Shire, Harajyuku, KABUKI performance, collaboration with Waseda University, Nezu Yanaka, and tea ceremony. End of the program
Faculty Director
Cesar Castillo
Cesar Castillo is a cultural anthropologist and Program Director for the FIU Honors Japan Study Abroad. As Program Director Cesar teaches on Japanese Indigenous Ainu culture, Edo period society, and contemporary Indigenous affairs. As program director, Cesar combines his fieldwork experience and intimate knowledge of Ainu culture with broader global perspectives to immerse students in global cultural exchange. Cesar earned his MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and BA in Sociology and Anthropology at FIU.
As a PhD. Student at the Department of Global and sociocultural studies. Cesar’s research is centered around academic tourism and educational experiences between study-abroad students and Indigenous communities in Latin America and Japan. His research stems from his long engagement with indigenous communities in Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Japan as well as passion for immersive education.
Professionally, Cesar’s a seasoned researcher who has worked in both private and public industries. Specializing in qualitative methodologies, Cesar facilitates cross-cultural understanding for business communication and global brand strategy, fostering inclusive product design across various industries such as education, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals.
2025 Payment Schedule
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1st Payment (Deposit)* |
2nd Program Payment* |
Spring 2025 |
3rd Program Payment* |
Education |
Summer A 2025 |
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*Payments are non-refundable & non-transferrable