Joetsu University, Japan, May 15 – May 30, 2023

University of Iowa College of Education students are encouraged to apply for a study abroad experience organized through the College of Education Baker Teacher Leader Center Global Education Initiatives from May 15 – May 30 in Japan. Faculty and staff will accompany students on a visit to our longstanding partner, Joetsu College of Education followed by a study tour of Japan focused on Peace Studies, Environmental Sustainability and Disaster Studies, and Cultural Studies. Participants can expect to gain new insights into how the Japanese educational system prepares students in civic education and how Japan is preparing for a future with heightened environmental and social challenges. 

The first week of the experience will take place in Joestu, Niigata Prefecture and is hosted by our colleagues at Joetsu College of Education. This portion of the trip will include visits to the affiliated elementary, middle and high schools, as well as time on Joetsu University campus. Students will develop presentations to share with our hosts in the elementary, middle and high schools, and our faculty and staff will give talks and host teacher workshops. Our time in Joetsu includes a unique homestay with Japanese families for students to gain an appreciation for Japanese home life. Our time in Joetsu will also include visits to sites of cultural, historical, and environmental significance.

From Joetsu, we’ll travel via bullet train to Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. In Hiroshima, we will visit the beautiful and historically significant Miyajima Island, and the Peace Museum and Memorial. In Hiroshima we will explore the challenges the city and its people have faced and the paths to overcoming this challenging history to ensure more peaceful futures. From Hiroshima we will travel to Kyoto for three nights where we will engage in cultural learning including topics related to Japanese history, religion, and environmental sustainability and disaster planning. We will also visit the world famous Manga museum, a form of art and literacy that has its historical roots in Japanese culture and society. From Kyoto we’ll embark on our final leg of the trip in Tokyo where our time will be spent visiting important cultural sites, and exploring Japan’s technical and innovative side, while also visiting some famous Tokyo neighborhoods.

Joetsu University and the UI College of Education have a long history of collaboration, and prior to the pandemic, students from Joetsu University regularly visited the University of Iowa campus. We are excited to more fully engage in this partnership by bringing University of Iowa students to Joetsu to experience the richness and learn more about how Japan is addressing challenges of the future through education and community programming.

The cost of this trip including group airfare is $6,500* and includes lodging, transportation, meals in Joetsu and daily breakfast and some meals in Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo. Trip cost also includes costs for guides, translators, airport transfers, entrance fees to museums and cultural sites, and tips. *Generous scholarships are available for College of Education students.

To apply to be a part of this program, please complete the application that you can find here. The application will close on February 28. Students who apply and are accepted into the program will also participate in required pre-departure planning sessions some Sunday evenings in April and May. These will be scheduled at a later date.

Detailed itinerary below (some details are still in process as is customary with study programs); Itinerary will be regularly updated.