This course, Organizational Communication in Japan, includes an international travel component to Fukuoka and Tokyo, in which you’ll be able to study organizational communication from a global perspective—in particular, from the perspective of one of our largest trading partners, Japan.
During this trip, you can
- visit a variety of organizations in Fukuoka and Tokyo and converse with organizational leaders;
- learn about how business is conducted in Japanese organizations, as well as the nuances of global intercultural communication;
- take seminars alongside Japanese students at Seinan Gakuin University (SGU) in Fukuoka, through which you’ll experience firsthand a contemporary Japanese university while conversing with bilingual (Japanese and English) faculty and students; and
- participate in guided tours and independent exploration, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture.
Japan boasts the third-largest national economy in the world and a close relationship with the United States, making it likely that you will incorporate the knowledge you gain from this experience throughout your professional career.
Travel Itinerary (subject to change)
- March 2 Depart from Philadelphia
- March 3 Arrive in Fukuoka; Welcome dinner
- March 4 Guided and independent exploration in Fukuoka
- March 5 Guided and independent exploration in Fukuoka
- March 6 University events and organizational tours in Fukuoka
- March 7 University events and organizational tours in Fukuoka
- March 8 University events and organizational tours in Fukuoka
- March 9 Transfer to Tokyo
- March 10 Corporate Visit in Tokyo
- March 11 Explore Tokyo
- March 12 Return to United States
Expenses
International program costs, estimated at $3,600–$4,000 (subject to change), will be applied to your bursar account upon enrollment in the course, and are charged in addition to tuition paid. Grants and scholarship monies may be retroactively available through Penn State. Underwriting for each program is provided by Penn State Abington to maximize opportunities for our students to study abroad. Program costs include round-trip airfare, local ground transportation, all lodging, and some meals.
A valid passport is required for international travel. Non-U.S. citizens may require a visa in addition to their passport. Non-U.S. citizens should consult their embassy for information and may ask the Office of Global Programs for guidance.
About Embedded Courses
Traditionally, “study abroad” meant that students spent a semester in another country and attended classes at an accredited university. Short-term, faculty-led courses with an international travel component are viable alternatives as they offer solid academic international experiences at a reasonable cost with a reduced time commitment.
Students who are enrolled in a course within a faculty-led embedded course are taking an internationally focused class that includes a ten-day travel component. These study abroad programs are anchored on Penn State Abington’s campus with travel occurring over fall or spring break. Course material and lectures prepare students both academically and culturally for the short international excursion to the country of focus in the program.
Penn State Abington is committed to providing meaningful opportunities to study abroad. Exposure to other cultures is a vital step toward becoming a global citizen.
The goal of the courses with an international travel component is to embed the students into the life and culture of the university and the country they visit. Therefore, including international faculty and students at the host institution in academic and cultural activities is a highly regarded and critical component of all of Abington’s faculty-led programs.