51福利社

The summer 2024 program to Japan will allow students to learn the concepts and principles of Intercultural Communication as they experience the traditional and modern Japan by visiting different historical and cultural sites in Tokyo.  Students will gain an  appreciation of the historical, cultural, and linguistical diversity of the country, and will learn how Japanese people view their society, culture, and identity. In addition, students will explore and understand their own cultural identity.  This program will offer a valuable experience for students to gain an understanding of effective communication in a global society.

Additionally, students will study the work of classical and contemporary Japanese directors and how their work has advanced the international art of cinema. The Film Studies course will analyze landmark films by celebrated Japanese directors in terms of theme, structure and cinematic technique. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the 鈥渁uteur鈥� director. Japanese directorial contributions to specific genres such as sci-fi, martial arts, and horror will be explored.

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June 21, 2024 (leave the US), June 22, 2024 (check in Tokyo) - July 20, 2024 (leave Tokyo)

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Professor Mika Garard is thrilled to be co-directing her 3rd Japan study abroad program at SBCC.  Professor Garard has been teaching Communication courses at SBCC for over 20 years, including COMM151 Intercultural Communication.  Professor Garard was born and raised in Japan, and holds a B.S. and M.S. in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  Before she started teaching at SBCC, she worked as a Japanese-English translator at a Japanese-French joint-venture company in the Midwest.  She travels to Japan frequently to visit her family and friends.

Your can reach Professor Garard at garardm@sbcc.edu or in her office at BC_102E (please contact Professor Garard for office hours)

Professor Michael Stinson has been a full-time faculty member in the department of Film and Media Studies at SBCC for the past 21 years. During his tenure, he has directed several international study programs and taught courses in screenwriting, film production, cinematography, directing, editing, and film history. Professor Stinson was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television from U.C.L.A. and worked as a screenwriter for Warner Brothers, Paramount and Universal Studios. He was the Co-Director of the Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2018 and just returned from Japan, where he co-led the summer program in Tokyo with Mika Garard. Prior to film school, he lived and worked abroad for ten years as a photojournalist and was based in Japan for over six years.

You can reach Professor Stinson at mestinson@pipeline.sbcc.edu

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To acquaint program participants with the cultural aspects of life in Japan, a series of mandatory as well as optional free or inexpensive activities is planned, which varies but often includes lectures on local customs and contemporary issues, sports events, walking tours, sight visits, and dinners. The below excursions are included in the program (subject to change):

• Live in Tokyo 
• Traditional tea ceremony
• teamLab
• Additional cultural experiences
• Plenty of time to explore on your own or with the group

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

• Must be in good academic and conduct standing 
• Must be at least 18 years old on the day of departure
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must have successfully completed 12 Colege level units with a GPA of 2.0 or above (dual enrollment classes or AP classes may count)
• Must successfully complete the application process
• 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:
- Must enroll at SBCC for the summer 2024 semester in order to participate in the program

- Must show proof of international health insurance. SBCC requires basic medical insurance, which covers illness and accidents abroad as well as the cost of returning students to the US if needed.

- We encourage the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance 

- You must complete, sign, and return all legal documents for SBCC Study Abroad by the deadline. Failure to return completed and signed document by the deadline may cancel you from the program

- Must attend the mandatory pre-departure meeting

- Should Japan require a Covid-19 vaccination in order to access public spaces, no exemptions can be granted for the vaccination mandate

There is no major or language requirement for this program.

Acceptance and participation in the program is not guaranteed until you have completed the interview with the program director/s and all required documents are received by the Study Abroad office.

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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 counselor for possible exceptions.  You must enroll in 6 units.

Classes offered on this program are:

COMM 151 Intercultural Communication (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Provides an introduction to communication between people from different cultures. Focuses on the application of theory and research to intercultural communication. The topics and activities are designed to develop communication skills that improve competence in intercultural situations.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5; Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D3, IGETC Area 4C, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable; C-ID: COMM 150.

FS 111 Contemporary World Cinema (3 Units)
Study of international film history, theory and aesthetics, from 1960 to the present. The film medium is addressed as a technology, a business, an art form and as a medium that both reflects and creates popular culture. 
SBCC General Education: SBCC GE Area C, SBCC GE Area E5; Transfer Information: CSU GE Area C2, IGETC Area 3B, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

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 $ 3,000
* based on 20+
** does not include flight, tuition, books
*** includes $250 application fee/ deposit

Program Fee Includes:(subject to change at this time)
- 24/7 emergency service
- Required field trips and excursions (see 'Program Highlights")
- Shared rooms (3-5 students) at a Tokyo Youth Hostel (see "Housing")
- Daily breakfast at the youth hostel
- SUICA card for local transportation (tentative - sales currently suspended)
- Airport pick-up and drop off in Japan is included for the group flight participants and those who can meet up with the group. (see "Travel")

Program Fee Does Not Include:
- Round-trip airfare (an optional group flight is available through Frosch Student Travel at an estimated $1,939) see "Travel"
- transportation to or from the airports in the USA
- Passport or visa fees if applicable
- Insurance fees (trip cancellation or health) 
- Meals other than those listed
- SBCC tuition, fees, books (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state or out-of-country fees)
- Personal expenses
- Additional fieldtrips and excursions to those listed
- Please note the per night cost to quarantine at a hotel can range anywhere from 5,500 JPY to 11,000 JPY (possibly more) and this cost is not included and has to be paid by the student should this issue arrise
- Anything not specified

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 $250 application fee due with application but no later than by February 26, 2024

$ 2,750 payment due April 22, 2024

JTB reserves the right to invoice students any additional costs such as damages at the accommodations, lost room keys etc. after the program concludes.

OPTIONAL: 
A group flight will be offered through Frosch Student Travel and will have to be paid to them directly. Should we not meet the minimum of 10 students by March 15, 2024, the group flight will have to be canceled.

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Round-Trip airfare is not included in the program price.

An optional group flight will be offered on a space-available basis through Frosch Student Travel. The group flight has a minimum requirement of 10 students in order to materialize. If 10 students are not registered for the group flight by March 15, 2024, the group flight will be canceled. Therefore, students wanting to get on the group flight must apply for the program no later than

Optional Airfare Package: Estimated cost (subject to change): $1,939

* including airport transfers & staff support, estimated taxes, fees & fuel fee
** Frosch Student Travel will reserve spaces at the above price for up to 25 students. Additional tickets may not be available at the same cost
***Only one piece of checked luggage is permitted on this flight to accommodate bus transfer to and from the airport in Japan

International flights between Los Angeles to Tokyo  returning Tokyo to Los Angeles

Airport pick up and drop off in Tokyo is included for the group flight participants and those who will meet up with the group at the airport. Should the group flight be canceled, the airport pick up and drop off may also be canceled.

*Once tickets are issued they are non-refundable. Return dates can be changed after arrival in Tokyo.

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Subject to change at this time

Housing in a shared room with bunk beds & sofa beds (3- 5 students per room) at a Tokyo Youth Hostel.

Breakfast (buffet style) is included at the Youth Hostel. The hostel has a curfew from 11pm to 6am. 

Single-room accommodations are available on a very limited basis and at an extra cost of $TBD.

Shared toilets, shower rooms, and public bath

*There will be no housekeeping service.

*Laundry: Washing machines are available to use. Fees apply.

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Application Deadline: February 26, 2024

Scroll down for Online application link.

Should you apply to the program after the program has been filled, you will be placed on a waiting list after successful completion of the application process. Your application fee will not be requested unless you are accepted in the program.

Should you, at any time after being placed on the waiting list, no longer want to participate in the program, it is your responsibility to withdraw your application by contacting nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu. Students on the waiting list will replace any spots that become available in the order they have been placed on the list based on availability of rooms up to the final payment.

Required documents to be uploaded with your online application:
1.  Recent Photo 

2. Completed Student Conduct Release Form - Click to download
The top of this form must be completed by you. Please use your full name and identify the program clearly by entering the destination and term of the program. The bottom portion of the form must be completed by the appropriate school official handling student conduct. For SBCC, this school official is the Associate Dean, Dr. Christopher Johnson, located at Campus Center CC-222. You can submit the form to his assistant Candee Gyll at gyllc@sbcc.edu.  Original signatures must be obtained. If you are not currently or have most recently been attending SBCC, you must submit the form to the school official responsible for student conduct at that school you most recently attended or are currently attending. If you are or have most recently been a High School student, your High School official must complete this form. The school official can also request a secure upload link by emailing nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu to submit the form.

3. Two Recommendation forms - Click to download (1 must be from a current or recent professor, 2nd recommendation can be another professor, advisor, counselor, coach or manager/ supervisor. Recommendations from family or friends can not be accepted.)

Download and/or complete required documents BEFORE starting your online application:

ONLINE APPLICATION - Closed.

All required documents must be uploaded with your online application via the secure server.

After review of your application, an interview with the program co-directors Professor Garard or Professor Stinson will be scheduled. Interviews may be held via Zoom.
 
Once you have officialy been accepted to the program you must submit your application fee/ deposit (instructions provided in acceptance notification) to SBCC. Your spot is not confirmed in the program until this fee has been received.. Please review the cancelation policy below.
 
Subsequent payments must be made directly to JTB. Failure to make any payment when due will automatically cancel you from the program. You may request to be re-instated to the program. If space is still available at the time of your request, the outstanding payment is due immediately. Re-instatement can not be guaranteed especially when a waiting list has been established.

For questions about the application or the application process please contact the Study abroad office.

Check your e-mail frequently to find any additional deadlines for event RSVP's, legal documents, group flight reservation and other program related information once you hve been accepted in the program.

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Any individual cancellation must be made in writing to the SBCC Study Abroad office at nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu. 

Full or Partial cancellation fees will be applied as follows (subject to change):

Please note that flight payments and cancelation fees are separate from the program cost. Be sure you contact your airline or travel agent immediately if you withdraw from the program. Contact Frosch Student Travel if you signed up for the group flight as your flight is not automatically canceled when you withdraw. You must contact your travel provider personally to cancel you flight.

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Up to April 21, 2024	Non-refundable deposit of $250
April 22, 2024 - May 6, 2024	30% of the total cost
May 7, 2024 - May 21, 2024	50% of the total cost
May 22, 2024 - 14 days of departure	80% if the total cost
14 days prior to departure or later	No Refund

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

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IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING COVID-19 & REQUIREMENTS 

SBCC does not currently have a vaccine requirement, but all program participants are subject to the requirements of the host country and are responsible for staying informed about current Covid regulations and requirements.

Should the Japanese government require a current Covid-19 vaccination to enter public spaces, the mandate will be active on the program for all participants and an exemption can not be granted.

Given the ever-evolving nature of COVID-19 circumstances and our aim to ensure that all program participants have a unique, unforgettable, immersive, and safe time abroad,  SBCC requires that all program participants (students, faculty leaders, spouses alike) be fully vaccinated prior to their departure to Japan.

In addition, if you are planning on traveling outside of Japan, please keep in mind that local regulations apply and that many freedoms to explore, learn, travel, and partake in the unique cultural experiences may apply solely to fully-vaccinated individuals (or those who have recently recovered from COVID-19).

All program participants deserve a transformational academic experience abroad and should be permitted equal access to all elements of their international program.

Non-vaccinated participants may be required to take a test every 24 hours (at your own cost and if available), have a higher risk of being quarantined, and may not be allowed to join activities that are part of the program and comprehensive study abroad experience they paid for.

A valid passport is required for all individuals participating in the Program. Based on travel restrictions, a visa may be required for travel to Japan. If a visa is required, it is the program participants鈥� responsibility to determine visa requirements.

For information on travel visas, please visit:

For the updated travel restrictions based on Covid-19, please visit:

Information Meetings.

Information meetings are scheduled on the SBCC campus. Please scroll down for info meeting details or refer to the event page for dates, times and locations or contact the Study Abroad office at (805) 730-4294 or nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu 

Find program related posts on Instagram at

Program Orientation and Pre-departure Meeting

A mandatory pre-departure meeting will be conducted at SBCC in May 2024, introducing the academic course work, addressing general aspects of study abroad and cross-cultural learning and providing practical information regarding preparation and travel. Please check with the Study Abroad Office for the exact date before you make your travel arrangements.

51福利社
Study Abroad Office
Nicole Walther
International Education Center, Room 1
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone: (805) 730-4294
nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Service Provider

JTB (Japan Travel Bureau)

Please contact SBCC Study Abroad office for any program related questions first. If you have additional questions about payment and cancelation deadlines or if you have any questions about your payments, please contact JTB at meetings-events@jtbusa.com or call them at 201-288-5592. Please note the name of your group (Santa Barbara City College or SBCC Trip to Japan) in the email title when contacting them via email, as they work with many different programs and colleges.

Useful Websites:

 

Points of Interest in Tokyo:

 

Points of Interest outside of Tokyo:

PLEASE  NOTE:  The climbing season starts from July 1st.  Climbing Mt. Fuji is NOT casual hiking.  It is intense, if you want to climb to the summit to see the sunrise. If you are looking for something less intense and do not want to climb to the summit, there are local buses and tour buses that will take you to the 5th station of the mountain, and you can hike around there. Back to Top

Please email or call Professor Mika Garard (mugarard@pipeline.sbcc.edu ) with questions about the information meetings.

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