51勛圖厙

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Tokyo, Japan skyline at night.

Education students will travel to Tokyo, Japan to compare and contrast the education systems in the U.S. and Japan, focusing on how each supports early childhood and elementary learners.


 

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Location

Tokyo, Japan

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Term

Summer

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Housing

Dormitory

Program Highlights

Students on this program will compare and contrast the early childhood education systems in the United States and Japan. Students will collaborate with Toyo University students in Japan throughout the experience. 

Highlights include:

  • Visiting schools in Tokyo
  • Participating in a Saturday school program for children
  • Cross cultural experiences such as visiting the National Museum of Art, International Children's Literature Library, and touring major locations in Tokyo.

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates

Program Dates: May 12 - 21, 2026

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

Deposit Deadline: February 10, 2026

You can :

  • Under "Categories" select "Student Travel Deposit: Education, Health, and Human Services"
  • Under "Items" select "Faculty-Led: Global Teaching and Advocacy in Tokyo, Japan"
  • From there, you can add the item to your cart and complete the payment.

Withdrawal/Commitment Deadline: March 31, 2026

Final Payment Deadline: The remainder of the program fee will be billed to your 51勛圖厙 student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Summer due date.

Application Process

You will need to complete a 51勛圖厙 Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a 51勛圖厙 education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to 51勛圖厙 as a Guest Student. Please apply as either an Undergraduate Guest Student or as a Graduate Guest Student, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a 51勛圖厙 student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the Apply Now button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • You must be in good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better for undergraduate students.
Academics

Course Information

Course Name and CRN:  C&I 47095 / 67095 / 77095 Education Abroad Experience Tokyo, Japan: Becoming Teachers as Advocates and Leaders for Children Who Cross Many Borders 

Number of Credit Hours: 1

KSU Sponsoring College: Education, Health, and Human Services

Course Description:  Classrooms in the United States are spaces which serve students and families from many different backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. Further, it is increasingly common for schools in the United States to serve students from other countries, whose linguistic and cultural experiences (along with the experiences of all learners) deserve to be centralized and prioritized within the classroom setting. Individuals experiences around how schools enact their responsibility to build community around all learners vary, however. This course is meant to examine students (YOUR) unique experiences in PK-5 (early childhood/elementary) spaces, and to compare these experiences to patterns of school district responses to students needs and backgrounds across the United States. 

Faculty Contact Information

Professor's Name: Dr. Gumiko Monobe

Email: gmonobe@kent.edu

Phone: 330.672.9397 

And

Professor's Name: Dr. Jennifer McCreight

Email: jmccreig@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-0639

Tentative Itinerary

Program Dates : May 12, 2026 - May 21, 2026

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

May 12

  • Leave Cleveland

May 13

  • Arrive in Tokyo and go to accommodations

May 14

  • Orientation at Toyo University

  • University Tour

  • Public School Visit 

  • Welcome Dinner

May 15

  • Elementary School Visit

  • Debrief and reflection meeting

  • Home visit

May 16

  • Exploring Toyo neighborhood

  • Saturday School Program for Children

May 17

  • Cross Cultural Field Day

    • Museum and Library Tour, National Museum of Art, International Children's Literature Library, Hato Bus Tour

May 18

  • Second School Visit

  • Debrief/Reflection

  • Toyo/Kent Collaborative Students Dinner

May 19

  • Second School Visit

  • Debrief/Reflection

  • Project Time

  • Home Visit

May 20

  • Cross Cultural Field Day

    • Historical and Modern culture/sub-culture in Tokyo, Asakusa or Kamakura, Shibuya/Harajuku

  • Final Presentation and Farewell Party

May 21

  • Farewell brunch with Toyo Students

  • Leave for Airport

Location

Tokyo

Tokyo is the perfect example of a city that merges modernity and tradition. With beautiful old temples and huge modern skyscrapers, the capital of Japan is packed with about 14 million people and is the largest city in the country. The city is always alive, with plenty of festivals and great street food, popular attractions, and little traditional neighborhoods. Famous symbols of the city are the sakura (cherry blossom) tree-lined streets, the anime culture, and its delicious cuisine!

Transportation

Airports

The two major airports in Tokyo are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). There will be a group flight from Cleveland to Tokyo.

Local Transit

Students will have easy access to all forms of public transit while living in Tokyo. Taxis are often quite expensive, but students will quickly become accustomed to using the network of train, subway, and bus lines. 

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

Students will stay in single-occupancy dorm rooms at Toyo University. If not enough rooms are available at the University, students will stay in double-occupancy hotel rooms. Housing will be finalized in mid-March 2026.

Meals

Students should budget for all meals to be paid out of pocket.

Accessibility Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Whether your disability is visible or invisible, Education Abroad is committed to making educational experiences abroad possible for you. Early disclosure of personal needs and an open mind to different programs, locations, and services can help you identify the best opportunities abroad.  

Things to Consider

  • What types of physical, academic, and mental health resources and accommodations are available in my host country?
  • What types of activities does this program involve? Will there be strenuous hiking? Will we be walking long distances? Will we be carrying significant weight?
  • What is the housing like on this program? Will I be sharing a room or bathroom? Is there AC/heat?
  • What types of foods are available to me on this program? Will I be able to find meals that meet my dietary needs?
  • What types of transportation does this program use? Will I be navigating public transportation? Is public transportation accessible?
  • What is the climate like in my host country? Will there be extreme heat or cold?
  • Are my medications controlled or banned abroad? Are there regulations on traveling with my medications, service animal, etc.?
  • Are there prescriptions that I need to fill before I leave? What medications are available abroad? Is there a refrigerator to store my medication if needed?
  • How does my host country view my disability?
  • How do accessibility regulations in my host country differ from the US? (Ex.) Are ramps, elevators, tactile markings, etc. required/available?
  • Can I use my US medical devices in my host country? Is the voltage different? Will my equipment fit through a standard door (height/width) in my host country?
  • If there are overnight field trips outside of my typical housing for the program, is it possible to maintain the same housing accommodations I may require?

Learn More About Studying Abroad with a Disability

Watch this helpful video about .

Resources

Student Accessibility Services

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources weve pulled together for you on our Before You Go page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Costs and Funding

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Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

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