May 2027
Behavioral Sciences: Health and Aging 3 credits
Course Counts for: Global Diversity Non-Western (GDAN), AIA, IHIP, CV and DP
This course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of health, aging, and society in one of the world's most rapidly aging populations.
Japan, known for its high life expectancy and well-established elder care systems, provides an ideal setting for students to learn about the sociological, cultural, and public health aspects of aging. This program will engage students in critical discussions and immersive learning experiences on aging policies, healthcare delivery, and the lived experiences of the elderly in Japan.
This program will combine academic lectures with field trips to elder care facilities, community centers, and healthcare organizations. Students will also have the chance to engage with local scholars, public health officials, and community leaders who are actively involved in aging-related research and practice.
Additionally, students will participate in cultural activities such as tea ceremonies and visits to historic temples.
This course culminates in a study abroad program to Japan in May 2027.
Total Estimated Price: $6,000 (subject to change)
First Payment due November 10, 2026
Second Payment due December 10, 2026
Third Payment due January 10, 2027
Students should apply for the Global Ambassador Scholarship in October 2026 on Academic Works and will find out what/if they received the scholarship before the first payment due date.
Pending financial aid does not cover study abroad payments. Please call Student Accounts for more details at 978.665.4126.
Itinerary (subject to change)
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Sun., May 16 | Depart Boston for Japan. |
| Mon., May 17 | Arrive in Tokyo, Japan. Attend a Health & Safety Orientation. Take guided neighborhood walking tour. |
| Tues., May 18 | In the morning, visit Fitchburg State’s sister school in Japan, Reitaku University. Tour the campus and attend a lecture on population studies. In the afternoon, visit Sensoji temple and take a walking tour of the Asakusa area. In the evening, enjoy a Group Welcome Dinner. |
| Wed., May 19 | In the morning, visit the Future Care Lab in Japan (by SOMPO Care), a world-class research facility dedicated to reinventing senior care through innovation. In the afternoon, enjoy a hands-on sushi-making class |
| Thurs., May 20 | In the morning, visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Then experience the vibrant fashion district of Harajuku and the world’s busiest intersection at Shibuya Crossing. In the afternoon, explore "Grandmother’s Harajuku" (the Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street built entirely for an aging population). |
| Fri., May 21 | In the morning, visit the Tokyo Edo Museum. In the afternoon, participate in a Japanese tea ceremony in Asakusa. |
| Sat., May 22 | In the morning, visit Shintomi Nursing Home in central Tokyo, a care facility known for incorporating assistive robotics and technology into elderly care. In the afternoon, visit Miraikan Museum (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) for the thought-provoking “Park of Aging” exhibit on the science and social impact of aging populations. |
| Sun., May 23 | Free day to explore Tokyo! |
| Mon., May 24 | Check out of accommodation in Tokyo and travel via Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano. Explore Zenkoji Temple in central Nagano, a historic 1,400-year-old Buddhist site famous for its pitch-black underground ordination tunnel. In the afternoon, take a supermarket field trip at MIDORI/Delicia Nagano to learn about the dietary habits driving Nagano's world leading longevity. |
| Tues., May 25 | Take the Mountain Bus from Nagano Station into the 400-year-old forest. Walk the mountain trail to the Okusha and Kuzuryu Shrines. Eat lunch at the Togakushi Soba Museum in Nagano where you will learn about the traditional craft of making soba noodles from scratch. In the afternoon, visit Togakushi Chusha to see its massive, 800-year-old sacred trees and three-tiered waterfall. |
| Wed., May 26 | Check out of accommodation in Nagano. Visit Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Snow Monkey Park). In the afternoon, depart Nagano via Shinkansen (bullet train) for Kyoto. Check into accommodation in Kyoto. |
| Thurs., May 27 | Explore Arashiyama and its famous Tenryu-ji with its Bamboo Grove. Walk around the old street market for traditional food and snacks. In the afternoon, visit Nijo Castle. Take a walking tour of Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden buildings, teahouses, and preserved streets. Experience the traditional arts showcase of Kyoto, including Kyomai dance, Chanoyu tea ceremony, Ikebana flower arrangement, Koto music, Bugaku dance, Kyogen comedy, and Bunraku puppet theater. |
| Fri., May 28 | In the morning, attend a private group Zen meditation session at Enkōji. Visit to one of Kyoto’s premier Zen temples, Tofukuji. Stroll through Fushimi Inari Taisha, the iconic Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of red torii gates winding up the sacred Mount Inari. |
| Sat., May 29 | In the morning, see Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan’s longest wooden building, famous for housing 1,001 life-sized statues. In the afternoon, visit the Kyoto National Museum. In the evening, attend a Group Farewell Dinner. |
| Sun., May 30 | Free day in Kyoto! |
| Mon., May 31 | Depart Kyoto for the airport. Board flight home to Boston. |