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Japan-Korea Pop

Dates

June 7 – June 22, 2025

Cost

$3,850 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Anime Manga & Webtoons, Global Hospitality & Cuisine, Food & Culture, Asian Studies, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

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 Seoul, 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.

Language Requirement: None. Courses are taught in English.

Accommodations: Hotels, 2-4 per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Director: Dr. Zeli Rivas

Courses

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

ARC 401 / HON 300 Topics: Introduction to Anime, Manga, and Webtoons

Dr. Zeli 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 and comparing them against other artistic works. Taught in English.

HMD 476 Global Hospitality and Cuisine - Japan & Korea

Dr. Sangwook Kang

Food serves as a lens for understanding diverse cultures. With the growing popularity of K-pop and K-drama, this course offers students a cross-cultural study of how personal identities and social groups are formed. We will identify the meaning and significance of food in various cultures by experiencing and exploring foods. Students will participate in field trips to Korean foodservice outlets operated by a multi-brand restaurant company, Korean colleges, and Japanese food culture experiences. Taught in English.

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

Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

Osamu Tezuka is known as the godfather of manga who created iconic manga and anime characters, such as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. Explore the childhood home of Tezuka in Takarazuka in Osaka and learn about some of Tezuka’s iconic and obscure works that continue influencing manga and anime today.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Explore more than 500 buildings of a royal palace in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace in Korea built in 1395 and used through 1592. Inside the walls, visit the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum while on the premises.

Gwangjang Market

Visit a street market that is one of the oldest and largest markets in South Korea. Try different types of Korean street food, such as mandu, gimbap, tteokbokki, Korean hot dogs, and hotteok while exploring some of the shops that sell textiles, crafts, kitchenware, souvenirs, and Korean medicinal items.  

Nagoya Castle

We visit Nagoya Castle, which dates back over 400 years. During World War II, it was destroyed during bombing and has since undergone reconstruction and repair. Designated as a National Treasure, it features a pair of golden shachihoko (imaginary sea creatures with tiger-like heads) that sit atop of the tower.   

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,850 + airfare

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: $2,400 – $2,500

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. 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 flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville. Visit flights for more information. (The group transfer between Korea and Japan is included in the program.)

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

Take Your Education Further

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Description

Dates

June 7 – June 22, 2025

Cost

$3,850 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Anime Manga & Webtoons, Global Hospitality & Cuisine, Food & Culture, Asian Studies, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

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 Seoul, 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.

Language Requirement: None. Courses are taught in English.

Accommodations: Hotels, 2-4 per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Director: Dr. Zeli Rivas

Courses

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

ARC 401 / HON 300 Topics: Introduction to Anime, Manga, and Webtoons

Dr. Zeli 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 and comparing them against other artistic works. Taught in English.

HMD 476 Global Hospitality and Cuisine - Japan & Korea

Dr. Sangwook Kang

Food serves as a lens for understanding diverse cultures. With the growing popularity of K-pop and K-drama, this course offers students a cross-cultural study of how personal identities and social groups are formed. We will identify the meaning and significance of food in various cultures by experiencing and exploring foods. Students will participate in field trips to Korean foodservice outlets operated by a multi-brand restaurant company, Korean colleges, and Japanese food culture experiences. Taught in English.

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

Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

Osamu Tezuka is known as the godfather of manga who created iconic manga and anime characters, such as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. Explore the childhood home of Tezuka in Takarazuka in Osaka and learn about some of Tezuka’s iconic and obscure works that continue influencing manga and anime today.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Explore more than 500 buildings of a royal palace in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace in Korea built in 1395 and used through 1592. Inside the walls, visit the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum while on the premises.

Gwangjang Market

Visit a street market that is one of the oldest and largest markets in South Korea. Try different types of Korean street food, such as mandu, gimbap, tteokbokki, Korean hot dogs, and hotteok while exploring some of the shops that sell textiles, crafts, kitchenware, souvenirs, and Korean medicinal items.  

Nagoya Castle

We visit Nagoya Castle, which dates back over 400 years. During World War II, it was destroyed during bombing and has since undergone reconstruction and repair. Designated as a National Treasure, it features a pair of golden shachihoko (imaginary sea creatures with tiger-like heads) that sit atop of the tower.   

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,850 + airfare

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: $2,400 – $2,500

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. 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 flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville. Visit flights for more information. (The group transfer between Korea and Japan is included in the program.)

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

Take Your Education Further

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