Study Abroad: Japan 2026
The University of New Mexico, through the Honors College, presents the Japan Study Abroad Program-an intensive program of the arts and culture of Japan. The program offers students 6 semester hours of credit. The program will meet once a week (for a one-hour and 15-minute session) starting in the second 8 weeks of the spring 2026 semester and will have ten days of expeditionary fieldwork in and around Kyoto, Japan.
Sign-up to receive up-to-date information about Japan Study Abroad Program for Spring 2026!
Program Philosophy
The program will introduce students to the arts and culture of Japan with an eye on investigating Japanese aesthetics, ecological philosophies, arts and crafts, and religious practices that explore humans’ relationship and interconnection with the natural world. The program will be based in Kyoto and include day trips to the outskirts of Kyoto and Nara, Japan's ancient capital in the 8th century. Students will interact with locals, engage with scholars, visit sacred sites and museums, and participate in art-making workshops.
This course will use an interdisciplinary framework to explore Japanese arts and crafts at the intersection of Japanese aesthetics, ecological philosophies, and religious practices, which ultimately explore humans’ relationship and interconnection with the natural world as well as how to navigate a new culture. We will meet during the second 8-weeks of the spring 2026 semester to do preliminary readings in advance of our program departure to provide a framework of Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, philosophies, and perspectives.
Adopting the methodology of reading place as a text, students will immerse themselves in direct observation, meticulous documentation, and comprehensive mapping exercises. Through reflective writing tasks, interviews, and interactive discussions, learners will distill their insights and observations. Using these tools, students will apply humanistic inquiry across disciplines to develop their distinctive creative projects. By weaving together diverse learning modalities via experiential strategies, the course encourages students to hone their communication, critical thinking, and creative faculties, while deepening their socio-cultural understanding and appreciation of the cultural and artistic epicenter that is Kyoto.
SPRING 2026 IMPORTANT TRAVEL DATES
2nd 8-Week course meets once a week starting on: March 24 from 5-6:15 pm
Travel to Japan: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Field Study in Kyoto: May 18- May 30, 2026
Travel Back to New Mexico: Sunday, May 31 or stay later and travel back independently
HOW TO APPLY
Applying to the Japan Study Abroad Program is easy! Attend one of the following informational meetings:
Wednesday, August 27 @ 2 pm
Thursday, Sept. 12 @ 10 am
Monday, Oct. 6 @ 10 am Virtual
All aspects of the program will be reviewed during these informational sessions. If you are unable to attend, email Professor Jacobs and express your interest.
Once committed to applying, you will complete an application on the UNM Global Education Office website.- Early Application Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025, 5:00 pm
- Regular Application Deadline: Friday, October 10, 2025, 5:00 pm
- Students who apply by the early application deadline will have priority in the program. If students are accepted, they will have time to apply for the Regents International Study Grant before the spring deadline.
Students accepted into the program will need to register with the Global Education Office and follow their procedures for providing the necessary documentation (copies of passports, health insurance, etc).
Tickets/Airfare
Students travel to Japan at their own expense. The Japan study abroad program encourages students to find their own best airfare rates. We will provide recommendations, but students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. We will also try to facilitate students traveling together. In order to ensure that you have made your reservation in a timely way, we will require that you provide a copy of your ticket or e-ticket by the date in the spring that will be communicated to you.
Room and Board
We work with our partners at Ritsumeikan University to secure housing for students. The cost of room and board is included in the program fees.
A passport book is required for traveling to Japan. Applicants who are U.S. citizens do not need a visa if staying for less than 90 days. We encourage students to use the Passport Office on campus. For other ways to apply for a passport visit the U.S. Department of State's website.
The Study Abroad office offers a GEO passport scholarship which supports the cost of students obtaining a passport. See if you are eligible here.
All students are required to have accident and medical insurance coverage for the duration of the program. The Global Education Office at UNM has information regarding insurance.
The program directors will also provide information on insurance.
Scholarships
Study abroad is a transformative experience for students and the honors college wants to help support as many students travel abroad as possible. Here are resources to help students secure scholarships for study abroad opportunities: https://studyabroad.unm.edu/getting-started/funding-and-scholarships.html
COURSEWORK
Students enrolled in this program will sign up for a 6-credit Honors seminar (UHON 301: Arts & Culture of Japan) during the spring 2026 semester. The course will meet once a week (for a one-hour and 15-minute session) starting in the second 8-weeks of the spring 2026 semester (Tuesdays from 5-6:15 pm) and will have ten days of expeditionary fieldwork in and around Kyoto, Japan.
UNM COURSES
UHON 301: Arts & Culture of Japan (6 credits)
Instructors: Associate Professor, Megan Jacobs and Associate Professor, Amaris Ketcham, and student teacher, UNM Honors College senior teacher, Rosie Deal
This course will use an interdisciplinary framework to explore Japanese arts and crafts at the intersection of Japanese aesthetics, ecological philosophies, and religious practices, which ultimately explore humans’ relationship and interconnection with the natural world as well as how to navigate a new culture. We will meet during the second 8-weeks of the spring 2026 semester to do preliminary readings in advance of our program departure to provide a framework of Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, philosophies, and perspectives.
Adopting the methodology of reading place as a text, students will immerse themselves in direct observation, meticulous documentation, and comprehensive mapping exercises. Through reflective writing tasks, interviews, and interactive discussions, learners will distill their insights and observations. Using these tools, students will apply humanistic inquiry across disciplines to develop their distinctive creative projects. By weaving together diverse learning modalities via experiential strategies, the course encourages students to hone their communication, critical thinking, and creative faculties, while deepening their socio-cultural understanding and appreciation of the cultural and artistic epicenter that is Kyoto.
HONORS FACULTY
- Coming soon!
Social Media
For news, information, prizes and more fun stuff follow us on our social media!
Honors College Resources