[On Site Update]

On June 19th, 1998, it all began at Narita airport in Japan. This is a photo-journal report from Japan. Click here to check it out!!

[What's an FSP?]

Dartmouth's Foreign Study Programs (FSPs) are an integral part of many majors and minors. The Japan FSP is no exception. After completing their first year of Japanese language study and at least one course dealing with the history or literature of Japan, most Dartmouth students with a sincere interest in Japan opt to spend a summer quarter there.

More Information on FSP

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As of the summer of 1998, the Japan FSP is based at Kanda University of International Studies(KUIS) , a relatively new university with excellent facilities located on the outskirts of Tokyo. Students spend approximately ten weeks there, and complete a total of three courses. Two of these will be a continuation of their Japanese language studies, classes in which book learning is combined with real world exercises which encourage students to interact more fully with their homestay families and the environment. The third course, taught by the Dartmouth faculty member accompanying the group, will focus on the literature and culture of premodern and modern Japan, balancing selected literary and historical readings with many excursions to sites in the city of Tokyo that embody its culture. Excursions include the imperial palace, the Edo Museum, a sake brewery, kabuki, noh, rakugo and bunraku performances, the Tsukiji fish market, calligraphy and flower arranging schools, etc.

At approximately the midpoint of the FSP, the group spends about a week travelling through the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima). This, too, is part of the culture course--an opportunity for students to see for themselves both vestiges of the ancient roots of Japanese civilization as well as the modern aspects of this area.

Classes begin at KUIS. The schedule for the ten weeks will, basically, be as follows:

Monday through Friday, for two hours each morning students will have Japanese language classes. This will be supplemented by a third hour of Japanese reading pracice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons there will be a two-hour seminar forcusing on the literature and culture of Japan. In conjunction with this there will be excursions to various parts of the city on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.