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The application deadline for this program has passed. No further applications are being accepted. The information on this site may be helpful if you are interested in attending in the future.
You might also be interested in expanding your language skills through the Language Institute at Penn State. Other adventure-based courses can be found online at www.programs.psu.edu/Adventure.
Study the Ancient Art of Aikido in Japan!
Faculty-led, world-focused
Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.
Practical Study of Traditional Aikido in Japan: 3 credits
During this intensive nearly 3-week course you will travel to exotic Japan
— the source of the renowned samurai and some of the most respected martial arts in the world. You will become immersed in the culture of training Aikido in Japan by training daily at a
number of places, including the "Birthplace of Aikido" in Iwama, and at the International Budo University — the only university in the world dedicated to preserving the history,
culture, and practice of the traditional Japanese martial arts. You will have the opportunity to intensively study Aikido with master instructors and view other classical forms
of "Budo" such as Karate, Kendo, Judo, Iaido, and Kyudo. During the course you will visit cultural historic sites such as Dojos, shrines, temples, and museums in order to better
understand the historical and present relationship between Japanese culture and the martial arts. You will learn the practice and value of Aikido as a system to promote lifelong health
and fitness while immersed in the foreign culture where Aikido originated. No Aikido experience is necessary to take this course, however, you must be physically fit and prepared to
exercise daily. This is a lifetime opportunity for anyone interested in Japan and the Japanese martial art of Aikido.
Courses Offered
KINES 097A — Practical Study of Traditional Aikido in Japan (3 credits)
In this course you will travel to Japan for three weeks to study the martial art Aikido. You can learn how to use Aikido for lifelong health and fitness, self-defense, and mental
discipline. You can gain insight into the language and culture of Japan and how martial arts such as Aikido were developed in Japan. You will travel to a variety of Aikido landmark
areas, such as the World Headquarters in Tokyo; rural training areas, such as Akita, reminiscent of ancient Japan; and the "Birthplace of Aikido" in the small town of Iwama. While
training you will be immersed in the Japanese language, culture, and society in order to have the most authentic Aikido experience possible. You will have many sightseeing and cultural
opportunities throughout your trip. It is recommended that you have Aikido experience but it is not required. It is expected that you are in good physical condition, that you enjoy
traveling, and are open-minded and willing to experience foreign cultures and traditions.
Instructional Location — Classes will be taught initially where Aikido was created in the small town of Iwama, two hours north of Tokyo. Students will train Aikido daily as well as see areas of cultural heritage associated with the creation of Aikido, such as the Founder’s house and Dojo, the Aiki Shrine, and the famous waterfall where the Founder meditated daily. Students will stay at a Zen temple near the training hall where they will learn the basics of Zen meditation and the relationship between Zen and Aikido.
After training in Iwama, students will travel two hours south of Tokyo to the International Budo University located in Katsuura city in Chiba prefecture. Budo University is the only place in the world that offers a bachelor's degree specializing in the training of all classical Japanese martial arts and physical fitness. Here the emphasis will be on exposing the students to the classical forms of Budo and the relationship of modern fitness principles with traditional martial arts training. In addition to training Aikido, students will view other martial arts such as Kendo, Judo, Karate, Kyudo, Naginata, and Iaido.
After Budo University students will travel to Tokyo — the capital city of Japan. Although one of the most technologically advanced and modern cities in the world, Tokyo still exudes the culture and traditions of its ancient past. Students will visit the World Headquarters of Aikido to watch advanced training and meet the Head Instructor and grandson of the Founder of Aikido. While in Tokyo students will have the opportunity to visit areas of cultural significance such as the Budokan, where martial arts are regularly demonstrated, and the ancient capital city Kamakura, where the philosophy of Zen and the martial arts are deeply embedded. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the two national shrines of Japan dedicated to the martial arts — Katori and Kashima.
Eligibility
The
program is open to all Penn State students and students from other institutions with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served
basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.
Faculty
About the Instructors
Dr. Jim Sullivan holds a doctorate in exercise physiology and is a full-time instructor of kinesiology at Penn State with an emphasis in teaching martial arts. He currently
holds a fourth-degree black belt in Aikido, second-degree black belt in Karate, and first-degree black belt in Kendo. Dr. Sullivan has been teaching and training martial arts in Japan
since 1988. He also trains and teaches extensively within the US and internationally, and has filmed and produced 18 Aikido seminar/training DVDs with Pat Hendricks Sensei, of Aikido of
San Leandro, California. Assisting Dr. Sullivan will be Mark Larson Sensei from Minnesota. Mr. Larson is a tenured faculty member at North Hennepin Community College, where he teaches
courses in English, Japanese culture, and Aikido. Mark Sensei has lived in Japan for more than 10 years. He is approaching sixth-degree black belt in Aikido and is the founder
and Chief Instructor of the Minnesota Aiki Shuren Aikido organization.
Brief Schedule of Activities
| June 14, 2012 | Leave United States, travel to Japan (lose one day in travel) |
| Day 1, June 15 | Arrive early Friday evening at Narita Airport; orientation meeting |
| Day 2, June 16 | Visit historical Narita city; etiquette dinner |
| Day 3, June 17 | Visit historical Katori Shrine and city |
| Day 4, June 18 | Travel to Iwama to begin daily Aikido training |
| Day 5, June 19 | Daily Aikido training |
| Day 6, June 20 | Daily Aikido training |
| Day 7, June 21 | Daily Aikido training |
| Day 8, June 22 | Daily Aikido training |
| Day 9, June 23 | Daily Aikido training |
| Day 10, June 24 | Travel back to Narita, stopping along the way to visit Kashima city and Shrine |
| Day 11, June 25 | Travel to International Budo University (IBU) for afternoon campus tour and training session |
| Day 12, June 26 | Daily training at IBU |
| Day 13, June 27 | Daily training at IBU |
| Day 14, June 28 | Morning training at IBU; leave in the afternoon for Tokyo |
| Day 15, June 29 | Visit Meiji Shrine, martial arts shopping in Harujuku; afternoon travel to Budokan for martial arts exhibition |
| Day 16, June 30 | Travel to Kamakura for fitness hike along World Heritage cultural sites and finish at Zen Archery Dojo |
| Day 17, July 1 | Travel to International World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) to observe advanced training and meet Doshu Sensei Moriteru Ueshiba; return to Narita |
| Day 18 | Course finished; return flight home or other location |
Expenses
The total program fee includes two components: tuition (3 credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2012 Summer Abroad programs.
Expenses NOT covered are: (American dollars; estimated)
- passport
- personal expenses
- optional excursions and activities
- round-trip airfare (approximately $1,000 plus tax)
- some meals
- textbooks and supplies
For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport.
Estimated Tuition (3 credits)
Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time, the students’ bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $681 per credit.
In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.
Tuition: $2,043 in-state/out-of-state tuition
The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.
Published rates are effective for fall 2011 and spring 2012.
Class Fee
The class fee of $2,500 includes insurance, lodging, activities (other than optional excursions), and a few meals.
Estimated Total Program Fee
The estimated program fee of $4,543 ($1,000 nonrefundable deposit applies to the class fee) includes tuition as well as the class fee.
Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $82; 5 to 8.5 credits, $180; 9 or more credits, $240
Financial Aid
For alternative grant, loan, and minority scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships web page.
Refunds
All cancellations must be received by the program manager, in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the nonrefundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.
How to Apply
Students are limited to one application in the Summer Education Abroad registration database; however, if dates allow, applicants may participate in more than one program.
If you are interested in having your application "copied" to additional programs, please email summerabroad@outreach.psu.edu. The $1,000 nonrefundable deposit must be submitted for each program in order for the applications to be complete. The deposits are later credited to the class fee or refunded if the student is not accepted. Please email summerabroad@outreach.psu.edu if you have any questions.
Submit your online application through Penn State Education Abroad.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 22, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
Deposit: The $1,000 nonrefundable deposit must be submitted to complete an application. If the student is not accepted, the deposit is refunded. Otherwise, the
deposit is applied to the class fee.
Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled
or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by
airlines or travel agencies.
Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.
Contact Us
Regarding program content:
Jim Sullivan, Instructor
Department of Kinesiology
The Pennsylvania State University
266 Recreation Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-3772
Email: jjs31@psu.edu
Regarding application process:
Carolyn Andersen, Program Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
128 Outreach Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-5143
Fax: 814-865-3749
Email: summerabroad@outreach.psu.edu
Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301
For alternative grant, loan, and minority scholarship information, visit the
Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships web page.