Dates
June 5 - June 20, 2027
Itinerary Pending
Cost
$3,950 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Subjects
Anime Manga & Webtoons, Photography & New Media, Cuisine & Culture, Hospitality Management
Deadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
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Program Overview

Language Requirement:

None. Courses are taught in English.

Accommodations:

Hotels, 2-4 per room.

Orientation:

Mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Program Director:
Dr. Zelideth María Rivas

Find us on:

The KIIS Japan-Korea Pop program offers students a multi-destination opportunity to discover the many-faceted images of Japan and Korea to gain insight into the complex and dynamic culture and society of these countries. The program will begin in Korea (7 nights) in Daegu and Jeonju, then travel to Japan (7 nights) to Nagoya and Osaka for the remainder of the program. In addition to regular classes, students will experience the vibrant culture of city life and visit educational institutions and historical and cultural sites

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
Program Director
Dr. Zelideth María Rivas Dr. Zelideth Rivas is the Assistant Provost for Global Education at Marshall University and the director of the Japan-Korea program, established in 2023. She is a professor of Japanese and specializes in popular culture. She enjoys teaching students about Asia while abroad.
Dr. Zelideth María Rivas

Courses

Courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.

ARC 401 / HON 300 Topics: Intro to Anime, Manga and Webtoons
Dr. Zelideth María Rivas
This course introduces new and experienced students to Japanese animation (anime) and manga and Korean webtoons by considering them as literary genres, medium, art, culture, and industry. We will review their histories from AD 1000 to the present, focusing on the period from post-WWII to the present. Both new and experienced students will explore series and topics in depth, studying the manga, webtoons, and anime forms. Taught in English.
Syllabus Pending
Art 496 Topics: Imaging Japan & Korea: Digital Photo Journal of Presence and Place
Prof. Doreen Maloney
Set in two countries, Korea and Japan, this immersive course invites students to explore both places through digital photography, collaborative storytelling, and personal reflection. Guided by Seth Gitner’s Multimedia Storytelling and inspired by Sophie Calle’s Venetian Suite, students will engage with the city as a visual text - full of quiet drama, pattern, and poetry. Daily walks, image prompts, and journaling will culminate in a curated digital journal.
Syllabus Pending

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

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What's Included

Earn 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Optional)

Airport Transfers in Japan and Korea

Accommodations

Two meals per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Group Rail Transportation

Medical Insurance

Security Evacuation Protection

Program Director & Faculty on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($165), luggage delivery fees (around $40), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $300-$500 depending on your spending/shopping preferences), locker fee at Himeji Station (approx. $6), and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

ESTIMATED COST $2,350 – $2,450

The Japan-Korea Pop program offers a group flight option where you can travel to Korea (Seoul) and return from Japan (Osaka) with other students and faculty. The group flight will depart from Chicago (ORD). If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket on your behalf. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1.  (The group transfer between Korea and Japan is included in the program.) Visit flights for more information.

If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare. (US-Seoul / Osaka-US)

The flight to Korea is overnight arriving the following day. On the return, the flight from Japan to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Share your story
"Traveling to Korea and Japan with KIIS helped me rediscover myself as a single mother. I’ll forever cherish that experience. Studying abroad showed me I could be anything, and now my daughters are starting their own preschool exchange."  - Audrey Yangstrom
"In Japan and South Korea, I was able to meet wonderful people, expand my knowledge, and embrace new global perspectives."  - DeCrystal Anderson
"I’ve dreamt of studying abroad since I was little. KIIS taught me that if you work hard, anything is possible."  -Shelby Lockman

Seoul South Korea

Test Description for Seoul

Kyoto Japan

Test description for Kyoto Japan

Nagoya Japan

Test description for Nagoya Japan

Daegu, South Korea

Learning That Moves You

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