Vibrant orange torii gates nestled among green trees.

Summer Abroad Japan

Life Sciences in Japan

Kusatsu (near Kyoto), Japan

  • Dates – June 19–July 16, 2027
  • Max Enrollment – 30
  • Taught In – English
  • Prerequisites – Yes
  • Academic Area – Biological Sciences

Program Overview

Study biochemistry while living in Japan! We will stay at Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, with easy access to Kyoto (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Osaka, Kobe and Nara. We will visit some of Kyoto’s famous sites (Fushimi Inari, Ryoanji and Arashiyama), as well as either aquariums, natural history museums, botanical gardens or fermentation facilities to observe how Japan presents natural science related topics to the public. With ample free time to explore, personal excursions may include many visits to Kyoto, and traveling to cities such as Tokyo or Hiroshima that are a fun bullet train ride away. Delve into manga, dine in foodie heaven, relax in an Onsen town, shop traditional goods and latest trends, even climb Mount Fuji: the options are almost unlimited!

Program Contacts

Program Highlights

  • Take in the natural beauty and meet the kind people of Japan.
  • Experience the wonders of Kyoto: historic sites and modern life.
  • Personal travel possibilities to Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Mt Fuji, Tokyo, or elsewhere.
  • Enjoy the food: ramen, yakitori, okonomiyaki, sushi, & many other delights.

What Students Are Saying

  • “The instructor has a great teaching style and promotes group work and socializing with each other, which helped me feel more comfortable in a foreign country.”
  • “I loved Dr. Han, she effectively taught the course concepts in a very engaging and digestible way. She was also very available outside of class, with fast responses to quick emails/messages. She also made sure to remind us to have fun, because we deserve it!.”
  • “I would have taken this class at UC Davis any, but to experience it in another country was very rewarding. The field trips and learning about the culture was incredible.”
  • "I had a very fun time on this study abroad. I was worried that I would not be able to learn the material well in such a short amount of time, but in actuality I was able to learn quite a lot and still explore Japan as much as I wanted to at the same time."

Similar Programs

Tags

Japan Biological Sciences Summer Abroad Study Abroad