51福利社

Professor David Elliott will take you to the old imperial capital and cultural heart of Japan in spring 2025. Study a semester in Kyoto, Japan, during the famous cherry blossom season! Enjoy the brilliant foliage and other scenic places in and around Kyoto City. You will take two History courses with professor Elliott, and a Global Studies course and Media, Culture and Society with local instructors, all through SBCC. While abroad, take a tour of the Shijo Kawaramachi area and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Tower and temples. Learn hands on about the history of Hiroshima while in a day trip to Hiroshima Castle and Itsukushima Shrine, experience a bamboo forest, and end your program in Tokyo where you take part in a tea ceremony, visit TeamLabs, the Fish Market, Rigugien Garden, and Yoyogi Park. You will have scheduled excursions and free time to travel and explore. 

February 13, 2025 (leave the U.S.) February 15, 2025 (arrive in Japan) - May 3, 2025 (leave Japan)

** please note that there will not be a spring break

Professor David Elliott has been teaching European history at 51福利社 since 2000.  His graduate training at UCSB specialized in different aspects of this history, including a focus on the Italian Renaissance.  He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and has participated in study abroad programs there as a student in high school and in college.  Professor Elliott has previously directed two SBCC semester programs to Italy, the first in 2006, the second (accompanied by his wife, also an educator and seasoned traveler) in 2016 and the third one, cut short due to Covid, in spring 2020.  He strongly believes in the value of study abroad and is excited to be leading the program to Florence, Italy again in spring 2024.

  E-Mail: dmelliott@pipeline.sbcc.edu

To acquaint program participants with the cultural aspects of life in Japan, a series of mandatory activities are planned, as part of the itinerary. The following activities are included in the program cost. (Activities are based on curriculum and are subject to change):

- Welcome and Farewell Dinner
- Guided City Tour in Shijo Kawaramachi Area, Kiyomizu dera, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market
- One-day excursion to Nara including visits to Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nara Park
- One-day excursion to Arashiyama Bambood Forest
- One-day excursion to Hiroshima including Hiroshima Peace Park, Hiroshima Castle, Itsukushima Shrine
- One-day excursion to Ise Gran Shrine
- 6 days in Tokyo including visits to Meiji Jingu Shrine, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Skytree, Tsukiji Fish Market, Rikugien Garden, Yoyogi Park
- Excursion to Kakakura
- Tea Ceremony and Kimono Wearing Experience, TeamLabs

You do not have to be currently enrolled at SBCC to apply for the program. However, you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be in good academic standing to participate in the program
• Must be at least 18 years old on the day of departure
• Must have successfully completed at least 12 college level units
• Must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher
• There is no major or language requirement for this program
• Must submit the non-refundable application fee/ deposit upon acceptance notification to confirm the spot on the program. The spot is not confirmed until the fee has been received

After acceptance to the program and official program-go announcement:
- You will enroll at SBCC for the spring 2025 semester in order to participate in the program.
- You will need to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) of the U.S. Department of State   prior to departure.
-Covid vaccination is not required for this program, though it is strongly encouraged by SBCC and the service provider.
- You must follow the steps provided in the registration letter to register for courses on this program once registation opens for you. Course CRN numbers can not be accessed via the SBCC course catalog.
- You must complete, sign and return all legal documents to SBCC Study Abroad. Not submitting the required legal documents on time may cancel you from the program.

Acceptance and participation in the program is not guaranteed until you receive officiall notification from the SBCC Study Abroad office and you make your application fee payment.

The courses that are offered as part of the program are usually transferable to the University of California and California State University. Check with your academic advisor for possible exceptions.  You must enroll in a minimum of 12 untis throughout the whole program. 

Classes offered on this program are:

GLST 101 Introduction to Global Studies (3 Units)
Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of global studies. Examines the history of globalization, including the role of communication technology, and analyzes various aspects of globalization: economic, political, cultural and ecological. For each, the focus is on the extent of global cooperation, global conflict and growing global interdependence., SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5, Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4G, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable, C-ID: GLST 101.

SOC 118 Media, Culture and Society (3 Units)
Critical examination of the media and culture from a sociological perspective with a focus on animation and manga. Focuses on how the media is shaped and influenced by society, culture and the individual. Covers a variety of topics, including the role of media in ideology and identity; economics and politics; race, class and gender; social change, technology, and globalization. SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B. Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D0, CSUGE Area D7, IGETC Area 4G, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

 $7,850 without airfare (Subject to change)

* Based on 20 - 24 program participants
** Including $450 Initial Deposit
*** An optional Group Flight is available for an additional fee

Includes: 

• Accommodations in a hotel in Kyoto and Tokyo with internet access (see "Housing")
• Required field trips and excursions, tickets and entrance fees and reservations (see "Highlights")
• Welcome and Farwell Dinner
• 24/7 emergency service
• Pre-departure support and meeting at SBCC
• Orientation in Kyoto
• Local staff support
• Airpot transfer in Kyoto and Tokyo
• Luggage transfer from Kyoto to Tokyo
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Emergency response

Does Not Include:

• Round-trip airfare or optional group flight
• Transportation to and from LAX
• Passport fee or visa fees
• Required international health insurance
• Optional liability insurance. (Students who carry costly laptops, cameras, cell phones and other valuables are strongly encouraged to purchase private insurance, which will cover them for any losses due to theft, damage, or other causes)
• SBCC registration fees (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state or out-of-country fees)
• Textbooks, food, personal expenses, and any other expenses not specifically listed as included
• Optional Single room supplement (see more under "Housing")
• Meals other than the welcome and farewell dinner
• Additional field trips and excursions to those listed
• Optional CFAR/IFAR Trip Cancelation insurance
• Personal or other misc. expenses
• Anything not specified

$450 Initial Deposit due immediately after acceptance notification but no later than September 30, 2024

(all payments to be made directly to APA. Payment method has to be chosen prior to invoicing)

$3,700 (or lower amount invoiced by APA if applicable)  2nd program payment due by October 30, 2024 - You can pay the full remaining balance - please contact the Study Abroad office in advance)

$3,700  (or lower amount invoiced by APA if applicable) Remaining program payment due November 15, 2024

OPTIONAL: 
Group Flight payment due 11/12/24

Please note that any student who is academically withdrawn by SBCC after your application has been processed by APA is subject to the standard refund policy.

Airfare is not included in the program price. You may make your own travel arrangements if you do not wish to travel with the group. Transportation to and from any of the airports are not included in the program cost and you will need to make your own arrangements if you don't fly with the group. Transportation to and from LAX are not included.

GROUP FLIGHT: SBCC has contracted with Frosch Student Travel to provide and optional group flight. 

Cost: $1399.00 including all fees

• Frosch Student Travel will reserve spaces on an optional round-trip group flight from LAX to Kyoto and Tokyo to LAX on a regularly scheduled airline according to the information provided by the student. The group flight must have a minimum of 10 participants and will be cancelled if the minimum is not reached. Space on the group flight cannot be guaranteed after November 12, 2024.
• Students purchasing the group flight will be picked up at the airport in Kyoto and and dropped off at the airport in Tokyo. Frosch Student Travel can not arrange group flight tickets for students applying for the group flight after 11/12/24. Students must have been accepted into the program and chosen the group flight no later than 11/12/24. 
• Group transfer is cancelled if the group flight is cancelled and students will be responsible for their own transfer arrangements to and from the student housing
• Participants missing the designated group arrival transfer are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point and time on the scheduled date
• Detailed arrival information will be provided by APA to all participants prior to arrival

 Transportation on site:

• Transportation and entries on all course-related visits and excursions are included

Program Housing: students will be housed in double, triple or quad rooms in a hotel in Kyoto and Tokyo. 
- Exact housing placements will be given to participants upon arrival.
- Pets are not allowed in program housing.

Optional Single occupancy supplement: available upon request

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

Start your application process well in advance of the application deadline. You will need to submit several required documents with your online application. Some of the documents need to be completed by school officials and other persons, which may take several days or weeks. You must have your completed required documents before you start your online application.

Required documents needed for your online application are:

1. A current photo. This should be a close-up headshot that clearly identifies you. Please do not wear sunglasses or hats. Do not submit an ID with identifying information.

2. Unofficial Transcript. SBCC students can follow for instructions on how to get their unofficial transcript. If you apply from another institution, he transcript must show the name of your institution, your full name, all the courses you have taken so far with the grades and GPA. Screenshots from your phone can not be accepted.

3. A completed . This form must be completed by the school official at your current or most recent institution who is responsible for Student Conduct. If that is SBCC for you, the form can be sent to Candee Gyll at gyllc@sbcc.edu. Be sure you complete the top part of the form and clearly identify the program you are applying for (Kyoto Spring 2025). Failure to clearly identify the program may result in a delay in processing your application and forms. 

4. Two recommendation forms. One form must be from a current or past professor/ teacher. The second form can be completed by a professor/ teacher, advisor, coach, manager or supervisor.

Downloadable forms:

for instructions to complete fillable PDF documents.

Please make sure you read the instructions on how to apply before starting your application. All information on the application will be lost when you close the application without submitting it.   Complete your required documents prior to starting the application. 

What happens after I submit my application:

After submission of your application it will be reviewed and forwarded to the program director David Elliott, who will reach out to you for an interview.  Interviews may be held in person or by phone, Zoom or Skype.
 
You will receive the acceptance decision in writing via email from the Study Abroad office once we have confirmed that you meet the requirements and have completed the interview. You are not officially confirmed on the program until you receive the notification fomr the Study Abroad Office (not the program director), return the Student Participation Agreement and pay the non-refundable Initial Deposit. 

Once you have officially been accepted to the program, the application will be forwarded to APA, our service provider for this program. We advise you to make sure you have the amount of the Initial Deposit set aside at the time you apply to the program.

Please review the cancelation policy below.
 
Subsequent payments must be made directly to APA. Failure to make any payment when due will automatically cancel you from the program one week after the payment due date. All payments are effective the day they are received by APA. 

For questions about the application or the application process please contact the Study Abroad office at 805-730-4294 or nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu. 

Any individual cancellation must be made in writing to Nicole Walther at nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu and APA and is effective the date of the receipt by APA. 

Upon cancellation, the following charges per participant will be:

$450 for non-refundable deposit up to 120 days prior to departure date

25% of the program cost if withdrawing 120 - 60 days prior to departure date

50% of the program cost if withdrawing 59-31 days prior to departure date

75% of the program cost if withdrawing 30 - 15 days prior to the departure date

100% of program cost if withdrawing 14 days or less prior to departure date

Please note that any student who is academically withdrawn by SBCC after their application has been processed by APA is subject to the standard refund policy.

Apply early because the number of places is limited and the program is likely to fill before the application deadline. 

You are required to submit a first payment of $450 as soon as you have officially been accepted into the program. This application fee is part of the program fee and will hold your spot. Should the program not meet its 20 student minimum participation, and the program does not move forward, this fee will be returned to you.

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

A mandatory pre-departure orientation meeting will be conducted at SBCC introducing the academic course work, addressing general aspects of study abroad and cross-cultural learning, and providing practical information regarding preparation and travel. Details will be provided to the program participants once they are available. 

A detailed itinerary of the program will be provided via e-mail by APA.

An on-site orientation in Kyoto held on the day after arrival covers practical matters as well as aspects of cross-cultural living and learning, giving program participants the tools they need to make the most of their time in Japan. Practical walking tours of the areas in Kyoto will be conducted as part of the orientation.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST:

•  

For More Information...

Study Abroad Office

Nicole Walther 
International EducationCenter, Room 1
(805) 730-4294
nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu

APA | Asia-Pacific Academic
M: +86-186-2182-9678 |P (U.S.): +1-307-312-0788 |P (China): +86-21-6088-0326
E: sharon.jiang@apacademic.org

 About the service provider: Asia-Pacific Academic is a professional organization registered as The APIEA LLC, dedicated to Education abroad and international studies. In the last decade, the APA team has successfully hosted thousands of students, providing international learning experiences for hundreds of programs, as well as conneted dozens of universities between the U.S. and the Asia Pacific. By providing young talents with cultural exchange, practical learning, career development opportunities, they perform a platform to connectd Asia-Pacific with the rest of the world.

Financial Aid can be used towards the program. You may also be eligible to apply for several Study Abroad Scholarships, such as the SBCC scholarships, Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships and more. Be sure to start your research early to not miss the application deadlines. Some deadlines may be up to one year prior to the program start. Visit our Financial Resources page HERE.

Information meetings are scheduled on the SBCC campus or virtual via Zoom. No rsvp is required for in-person meetings. Some Zoom sessions may require prior registration to receive the direct Zoom link. Please contact the program director David Elliott at jldmelliott@pipeline.sbcc.edu for Zoom related inquiries or problems.  Parents are welcome. 

WHAT: HYBRID Information Meeting 
WHEN: Thursday, August 29th from 3pm to 4pm 
WHERE: on Zoom and L137 (Faculty Meeting Room @ Luria Library) 
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 396 295 2334

WHAT: HYBRID Information Meeting 
WHEN: Wednesday, September 11th from 3pm to 4pm 
WHERE: on Zoom and L137 (Faculty Meeting Room @ Luria Library) 
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 396 295 2334

WHAT: HYBRID Information Meeting 
WHEN: Monday, September 23rd from 3pm to 4pm 
WHERE: on Zoom and L137 (Faculty Meeting Room @ Luria Library)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 874 4679 9641
Passcode: 191443