Program Calendar

Monday, June 11	Check-in (9:30 am – 4:00 pm) Opening Ceremony and Orientation (4:30 pm – 6:00 pm) All students are required to attend the Opening Ceremony and Orientation.
Tuesday, June 12	Placement Test (AM) Orientation and Welcome Party (PM)
Wednesday, June 13	Classes begin
Friday, July 20	Last day of classes and Closing Ceremony All students are required to attend the Closing Ceremony, which is a part of the Summer Program. Students can check-out AFTER the Ceremony on July 20. Check-out (3:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Saturday, July 21 - Tuesday, July 31	Check-out (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) Students are allowed to stay at Komachi Hall after July 20 if they wish. However, they will need to pay for their own meals in cash after lunch on July 20. All students are required to check out during the designated times mentioned above ONLY. Students leaving before 9:00 am must check out during the check-out time (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) THE DAY BEFORE, and arrange for their accommodation on their own for the night. All students are required to check out by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 31.

Program Calendar is subject to change.

Courses

Summer Program 2018 will offer the following three elementary courses. Participants are required to take a Japanese Placement Test upon arrival at AIU. Each student will be assigned to one of the classes according to the results of the test.

Course Syllabi
JPL 120	Elementary Japanese 120
JPL 125	Elementary Japanese 125
JPL 220	Elementary Japanese 220

Daily Schedule

	Weekdays					Weekends
9:00 am - 9:50 am	Japanese Language Class					No classes field trips, events, free time, etc.
10:00 am - 10:50 am	Japanese Language Class
11:00 am - 11:50 am	Japanese Language Class
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch in the Cafeteria
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm	Conversation Practice*
2:00 pm -	Japanese Culture Workshops*

*Conversation Practice and Japanese Culture Workshops are only on scheduled days.

Program Schedule

The detailed schedule for Summer Program 2018 will be posted when finalized.
Until then, please refer to the Summer Program 2017 Schedule (PDF) for planning.

Japanese Culture Workshops and Field Trips

Summer Program 2018 will offer culture workshops and field trips to local sites and opportunities to appreciate traditional Japanese culture. Participants in the Summer Program 2017 experienced the following culture workshops and field trips:

Japanese Culture Workshops
	Shodo is one of the Japanese traditional arts. Students learn how to write Kanji and Hiragana in an artistic way with a brush and India ink called sumi.
	The kimono, a beautiful traditional garment, is a source of pride for Japanese people. Up until the Edo period, the kimono was worn as everyday attire by both Japanese men and women. In this program, participants will be taught how to wear summer cotton kimono called yukata.
	Sado is the traditional Japanese way of drinking tea in accordance with a set rules of etiquette. Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness during the tea ceremony.

Field Trips
Oga Peninsula is one of the most beautiful and famous sightseeing spots in northern Japan. In the Summer Program 2017, students visited the following places: GAO aquarium Namahage Museum Cape Nyudo Kampuzan Oga Travel Guide
Kakunodate is an old castle town located in eastern central Akita prefecture. Kakunodate was established in 1620 by Yoshikatsu Ashina, the ruler of the Kakunodate area. This town has been known for its historic samurai mansions since the Edo era and remains popular with tourists from all over the world. It has an atmosphere truly appropriate to its nickname of “Little Kyoto.” The feel of traditional Japan is preserved in this quaint town. The Summer Program 2017 students visited the following places: Dakigaeri Valley Lake Tazawa (the deepest lake in Japan) Sakura Bark Craft Museum Samurai Mansion Semboku City Sightseeing Information: http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/en/ Kakunodate Tourism Guide: http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/languages/en/

Optional Activities
	Aikido is a Japanese martial art which does not use weapons but ki, an invisible energy that exists in nature and humans. Ki can be derived by developing proper breathing techniques.
	Exchange event with Children The Summer Program 2017 students were invited to the exchange event with children, sponsored by a local children's center. In this event, the students enjoyed playing games, singing and dancing with children.
	Sitting in meditation is known as zazen in the Zen School, with za meaning “sit" and zen meaning “meditation.” The seated posture is one of stillness and relaxation, and expresses a tranquil mind and a settled body. In the practice of zazen, one maintains the body in a position free of tension and movement, and focuses the mind on a single object of attention. The state is one of union of body and mind deepened through the relaxation and regulation of the breath.

*The optional activities in 2018 are subject to change.