Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are the dates definite? Also, can I stay in Japan longer (after the group returns)?

Q2. How much does the program cost? Do I have to put down a deposit? If so, how much and by when?

Q3. Which companies are we going to visit?

Q4. Besides companies, where are we going to visit and what are we going to do?

Q5. How can I apply for the trip?

Q6. Is there a limit on the number of students to be accepted in the trip?

Q7. Can non-CTI students apply for this trip?

Q8. How do I register in IT 398/599? What day does this course meet?

Q9. Are there any "assignments" in IT 398/599?

Q1. Are the dates definite? Also, can I stay in Japan longer (after the group returns)?

A1. [Updated on 4/8]: The return date is changed to Dec 11 (Thu). The dates are now pretty much definite.

If you like to stay longer, please contact the Study Abroad office and ask them in person.

Q2. How much does the program cost? Do I have to put down a deposit? If so, how much and by when?

A2. [Updated on 6/11]: There are two kinds of fees associated with the program. Students must pay both of them.

Course tuition for 4 credit hours, for the course IT 398 (Global IT). Only students who are accepted in the program/trip will be able to register in this course. See Q6 for more information on the selection process, and Q8, Q9 for more information on IT 398. The tuition will be charged for Fall 2008/2009, along with other courses you enroll in the term. No deposit is required for this fee.

Trip cost of $3600. This fee covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, breakfast, study abroad insurance, and local transportation. There is NO DEPOSIT required at the time of application (or any other time). Here is how it works.

Students submit an application by May 15 (Thu).

Applicants come in for an interview (with me). The Study Abroad office will contact each applicant shortly after the application deadline regarding the interview appointment.

Applicants receive a notification of acceptance/rejection around mid June (within one month after the application deadline).

Accepted applicants reply to the Study Abroad office to confirm their participation by mid July (within one month after the notification).

If an accepted applicant fails to confirm the participation, his/her slot in the trip is forfeited, and it will be given to the next applicant on the waiting list.

Q3. Which companies are we going to visit?

A3. I don't know yet. I'd say that we won't know until late summer or early fall. That's because, based on my previous experience, companies usually do not give an answer until close to the time. As you know, gaming and animation industries are highly competitive and cut-throat. Most companies do not accept any tours _at all_ to begin with. I will do my best to find companies who would accept us. But even then, they don't know if they would be able to find time for us (due to large projects, urgent deadlines, etc.) until very close to the time of the (possible) visit.

If you have specific companies you _really, really_ like to visit, let me know and I will look into the possibility.

Q4. Besides companies, where are we going to visit and what are we going to do?

A4. I'm planning to take you to some game showrooms (e.g. Playstation Square, Nintendo Game Front) and anime museums (e.g. Tokyo Anime Center). And of course, we will _NOT_ miss Akihabara: the Mecca of Japanese pop-culture these days.

Also, I'm planning on taking you to a movie park called Toei Uzumasa Movie Land in Kyoto. There you can walk around film sets where Samurai movies are made.
On a serious note (?), we will also visit some universities and research labs conducting research on games development and animation technologies.

And of course we will visit some Japanese historic and cultural sites -- many Japanese temples, shrines, etc. are designated as UNESCO world-heritage treasures.

Q5. How can I apply for the trip?

A5. Look at the Study Abroad CTI Japan page. You prepare your application material and submit it to the Study Abroad office. The application deadline is May 15.

The Study Abroad site also posts lots of useful information on study abroad trips in general, including scholarships and FAQ's. You should look at their site thoroughly before applying.
[Updated on 5/11]: All application materials, including the recommendations, course history and passport number or receipt, must reach the Study Abroad office by the deadline in order for the application to be complete.

Q6. Is there a limit on the number of students to be accepted in the trip?

A6. Yes. If the number of applicants exceeds the limit, we will have to turn down some applicants. Sorry, we can only take so many at one time/trip. Regardless of the number of applications (which we won't know until after the application deadline), we will conduct an interview with each applicant.
[Updated on 5/11]: Interviews will be done in groups, with 3-5 students at a time.

We will notify the acceptance/rejection by mid June (within one month after the interview). Some applicants may be put on a waiting list.

Q7. Can non-CTI students apply for this trip?

A7. Yes. But they are accepted only if the space is available (and they pass the interview).
By the way, non-CTI students going for a double-major with CTI are considered CTI students.

[Update as of 4/8]: This trip is a technical trip -- the main focus is the technologies for game/animation development. As such, the primary target audience of this trip are students who have taken such courses (most of which are offered by CTI), and/or those who wish to become a game developer or an animation creator (animator) in the future. Therefore, non-CTI students (or any students) who have not had coursework or experience in game/animation development will be given a lower priority in the selection.
On a separate note, another Japan trip _may_ be offered next year, which focuses on Japanese pop-culture including Anime (and probably combined with other topics). Students who are interested in Japan's modern culture are encouraged to wait for the trip.

Q8. How do I register in IT 398/599? What day does this course meet?

A8. You do not register in IT 398/599.
Only the accepted & confirmed students can register in the course. In fact, the Study Abroad office will register those students.
The course does not have a regular schedule. The course consists of 3-4 pre-trip meetings and 2-3 post-trip meetings, in addition to the trip itself. The pre/post-trip meetings will be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays or evenings which will not conflict with the regular courses. Attendance to the pre/post-trip meetings is mandatory. Dates of those meetings will be communicated later.

Q9. Are there any "assignments" in IT 398/599?

A9. Yes. Letter grades (A's, B's etc.) will be given as well.
Syllabus will be announced later, but tentatively the assignments will include the following.

A pre-trip "narrative of interest" or research paper, of at least 3 pages.

A trip journal, in the form of a personal web site, including pictures taken during the trip.

A post-trip research paper (where the length is TBD).

A post-trip presentation of the research paper.

Q1.		Are the dates definite? Also, can I stay in Japan longer (after the group returns)?
Q2.		How much does the program cost? Do I have to put down a deposit? If so, how much and by when?
Q3.		Which companies are we going to visit?
Q4.		Besides companies, where are we going to visit and what are we going to do?
Q5.		How can I apply for the trip?
Q6.		Is there a limit on the number of students to be accepted in the trip?
Q7.		Can non-CTI students apply for this trip?
Q8.		How do I register in IT 398/599? What day does this course meet?
Q9.		Are there any "assignments" in IT 398/599?

Q1.	Are the dates definite? Also, can I stay in Japan longer (after the group returns)?
A1.	[Updated on 4/8]: The return date is changed to Dec 11 (Thu). The dates are now pretty much definite. If you like to stay longer, please contact the Study Abroad office and ask them in person.
Q2.	How much does the program cost? Do I have to put down a deposit? If so, how much and by when?
A2.	[Updated on 6/11]: There are two kinds of fees associated with the program. Students must pay both of them. Course tuition for 4 credit hours, for the course IT 398 (Global IT). Only students who are accepted in the program/trip will be able to register in this course. See Q6 for more information on the selection process, and Q8, Q9 for more information on IT 398. The tuition will be charged for Fall 2008/2009, along with other courses you enroll in the term. No deposit is required for this fee. Trip cost of $3600. This fee covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, breakfast, study abroad insurance, and local transportation. There is NO DEPOSIT required at the time of application (or any other time). Here is how it works. Students submit an application by May 15 (Thu). Applicants come in for an interview (with me). The Study Abroad office will contact each applicant shortly after the application deadline regarding the interview appointment. Applicants receive a notification of acceptance/rejection around mid June (within one month after the application deadline). Accepted applicants reply to the Study Abroad office to confirm their participation by mid July (within one month after the notification). If an accepted applicant fails to confirm the participation, his/her slot in the trip is forfeited, and it will be given to the next applicant on the waiting list.
Q3.	Which companies are we going to visit?
A3.	I don't know yet. I'd say that we won't know until late summer or early fall. That's because, based on my previous experience, companies usually do not give an answer until close to the time. As you know, gaming and animation industries are highly competitive and cut-throat. Most companies do not accept any tours _at all_ to begin with. I will do my best to find companies who would accept us. But even then, they don't know if they would be able to find time for us (due to large projects, urgent deadlines, etc.) until very close to the time of the (possible) visit. If you have specific companies you _really, really_ like to visit, let me know and I will look into the possibility.
Q4.	Besides companies, where are we going to visit and what are we going to do?
A4.	I'm planning to take you to some game showrooms (e.g. Playstation Square, Nintendo Game Front) and anime museums (e.g. Tokyo Anime Center). And of course, we will _NOT_ miss Akihabara: the Mecca of Japanese pop-culture these days. Also, I'm planning on taking you to a movie park called Toei Uzumasa Movie Land in Kyoto. There you can walk around film sets where Samurai movies are made. On a serious note (?), we will also visit some universities and research labs conducting research on games development and animation technologies. And of course we will visit some Japanese historic and cultural sites -- many Japanese temples, shrines, etc. are designated as UNESCO world-heritage treasures.
Q5.	How can I apply for the trip?
A5.	Look at the Study Abroad CTI Japan page. You prepare your application material and submit it to the Study Abroad office. The application deadline is May 15. The Study Abroad site also posts lots of useful information on study abroad trips in general, including scholarships and FAQ's. You should look at their site thoroughly before applying. [Updated on 5/11]: All application materials, including the recommendations, course history and passport number or receipt, must reach the Study Abroad office by the deadline in order for the application to be complete.
Q6.	Is there a limit on the number of students to be accepted in the trip?
A6.	Yes. If the number of applicants exceeds the limit, we will have to turn down some applicants. Sorry, we can only take so many at one time/trip. Regardless of the number of applications (which we won't know until after the application deadline), we will conduct an interview with each applicant. [Updated on 5/11]: Interviews will be done in groups, with 3-5 students at a time. We will notify the acceptance/rejection by mid June (within one month after the interview). Some applicants may be put on a waiting list.
Q7.	Can non-CTI students apply for this trip?
A7.	Yes. But they are accepted only if the space is available (and they pass the interview). By the way, non-CTI students going for a double-major with CTI are considered CTI students. [Update as of 4/8]: This trip is a technical trip -- the main focus is the technologies for game/animation development. As such, the primary target audience of this trip are students who have taken such courses (most of which are offered by CTI), and/or those who wish to become a game developer or an animation creator (animator) in the future. Therefore, non-CTI students (or any students) who have not had coursework or experience in game/animation development will be given a lower priority in the selection. On a separate note, another Japan trip _may_ be offered next year, which focuses on Japanese pop-culture including Anime (and probably combined with other topics). Students who are interested in Japan's modern culture are encouraged to wait for the trip.
Q8.	How do I register in IT 398/599? What day does this course meet?
A8.	You do not register in IT 398/599. Only the accepted & confirmed students can register in the course. In fact, the Study Abroad office will register those students. The course does not have a regular schedule. The course consists of 3-4 pre-trip meetings and 2-3 post-trip meetings, in addition to the trip itself. The pre/post-trip meetings will be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays or evenings which will not conflict with the regular courses. Attendance to the pre/post-trip meetings is mandatory. Dates of those meetings will be communicated later.
Q9.	Are there any "assignments" in IT 398/599?
A9.	Yes. Letter grades (A's, B's etc.) will be given as well. Syllabus will be announced later, but tentatively the assignments will include the following. A pre-trip "narrative of interest" or research paper, of at least 3 pages. A trip journal, in the form of a personal web site, including pictures taken during the trip. A post-trip research paper (where the length is TBD). A post-trip presentation of the research paper.