Hikone, Japan

Campus contacts: Off-Campus Programs,
James-Henry Holland, Modern Languages
(offered every fall term)

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are an affiliate member of the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) in Hikone, Japan which offers a program in contemporary Japanese language and culture every fall semester. The program is located near the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The JCMU complex, located on Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan, includes classrooms, a library, state of the art language labs, a traditional Japanese tea room, a public restaurant, and offices. The city of Hikone possesses a rich combination of traditional and modern Japan with its architecture and small town atmosphere supported by a progressive government and thriving economy. Lake Biwa, a popular spot for windsurfing and other water sports is just a five minute walk away from the center.

PROGRAM DATES: September 1 to December 18, 2000

ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants will be housed with host families in the Hikone area arranged by the local housing coordinator. The cost of commuting is included in the program fee although many will be able to walk or bicycle to the JCMU from their homestay location. Host families will provide two meals per day during the week and full board on the weekends. Participants will be given a lunch stipend each month to cover the cost of eating the additional meal Monday through Friday.

EXCURSIONS: The calendar of JCMU is designed to allow students ample opportunity for independent travel in Japan both during and after the academic term. Many local or regional trips are also possible. Hikone itself is a castle town tracing its origins to the early seventeenth century, when a cluster of Samurai residences and commercial establishments grew up at the foot of the castle of the local lord. Hikone is a 45-90 minute train trip from the large cosmopolitan cities of Kyoto, Nagoya and Osaka.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to any senior Hobart or William Smith student who has a keen interest in Japan. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or better and have studied one year of college level Japanese or have the equivalent.

APPROXIMATE COST: The cost for participation in the Hikone program is the regular HWS fall tuition and the normal full room and board fee is $16,255. Additional expenses include roundtrip airfare and miscellaneous and personal expenses, independent travel, gifts, etc. of approximately $3,000, although individual habits and patterns may vary.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: Participants receive four course credits for participation in the program: