Summer School 2018 in Okayama, Japan

Summer School 20018 in Okayama, Japan is two-week summer program aims to provide students from all around the world with opportunities to learn about the Setouchi region. To advance the SDGs with a clear picture of Setouchi’s past, present and future through a lecture series. Concerning topics such as the revitalization of mountain villages, tourism in a small island, community involvement in the historical town, Kurashiki, the Setouchi Art Festival, and its influence on local people’s lifestyles.In addition to actively participating in special lectures (in English), participants will be expected to do a weekend of independent fieldwork in Kurashiki, where they will stay on July 7th and will visit Naoshima island for the final fieldwork on July 11.

This program offers many opportunities to learn about the natural environment and society from the point of view of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and to conduct field work in Kurashiki city and on Naoshima Island.
A) Lecture Topics: SDGs, Setouchi’s natural environment, Satoyama conservation, Social issues in Setouchi, Community learning center, Living with cultural heritage, Sustainable tourism development, Naoshima’s contemporary art and architecture, etc.
B) Japanese Language Program (Novice-Intermediate)
C) Field Work: Historical areas in Kurashiki city & Naoshima Island.
D) Optional excursions (A visit to a hot spring (Onsen), Hiroshima, or Himeji)

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students who are studying in universities with which Okayama
• University has an agreement for academic or student exchange will be given priority.
• Undergraduate students from other overseas higher education institutions are also encouraged to apply. However, such candidates cannot be considered as candidates for the JASSO scholarship.
• Students who are non-native speaker of English must submit one of the following documents as proof of English proficiency
  • TOEFL iBT 61 or above
  • IELTS 5.5 with an equivalent mark of the CEFR B2 level or above
  • Other English test scores which can be considered as equivalent to the CEFR B2 level or above.

The application deadlines are: 
First deadline: Feb 14, 2018 (Wednesday)
Second deadline: March 7, 2018 (Wednesday)

Official Link

Deadline: 7th March 2018