Summer Ancient + Modern Japan
Unique Experiences
BE ENTRANCED BY THE ZEN ROCK GARDEN OF RYOANJI TEMPLE
WHEN YOU STROLL THE PHILOSOPHER'S PATH, PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE DAZZLING GOLDEN TEMPLE AND SERENE SILVER TEMPLE
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE “CULTURAL CAPITAL” OF JAPAN
WHERE RICH CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ARTISTIC TRADITIONS DATE BACK 1,200+ YEARS
INDULGE IN KYOTO’S FAMOUS “UJI” GREEN TEA
WHICH CAN BE ENJOYED AS A DRINK OR IN FLAVORED PASTRIES, ICE CREAM, AND OTHER DESSERTS
17
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES WITHIN KYOTO
1,200+
NUMBER OF YEARS KYOTO WAS JAPAN’S CAPITAL
30
NUMBER OF MINUTES BY TRAIN TO REACH NEARBY OSAKA, KOBE, AND NARA
Your Destination
Dating back to 794 AD, Kyoto has been the symbolic and imperial capital for more than 1,000 years. Widely acknowledged for its cultural legacy, Kyoto is a dynamic entrepreneurial hub and home to the world’s first Manga Museum, just minutes from the CIEE Kyoto Center.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Ample activities and day trips will enrich your life in Kyoto and its surrounding cultural destinations. Sample excursions include:
- Visiting Mt. Hiei and World Heritage Site Enryaku-ji – the head temple of the Tendai Sect of Buddhism – with vistas of Lake Biwa and the whole Kyoto valley
- Enjoying a one-car train ride north of town to Kurama, Kifune or a bus ride to nearby Ohara village, with two breathtaking temples (Jakko-in and Sanzen-in), after a traditional meal and seated meditation
- Taking a day trip to Nara with its great seated Buddha in Todaiji temple, the world’s largest wooden structure, Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its thousands of stone lanterns, and the Deer Park, where they will “bow” in thanks as you offer the deer biscuits
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture, and sights.
PROJECTS
Volunteering: Give back and create a deeper connection to Kyoto. Opportunities are being developed for students to volunteer at local organizations, youth centers, schools, and more.
Program Blogs
CIEE Kyoto: Cultivating Significant Experiences for those Studying Abroad
Authored by J.M. Avila University students well along their academic journey may think to themselves: what exactly is the point of studying abroad? By the third or fourth year of... keep reading
Discovering an Experience: Kyoto with CIEE
Written by: Theodore Whitbeck Summer Block 2 Intro to an Unforgettable Summer Choosing to study abroad with CIEE Kyoto was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Leaving June... keep reading
Summery of July -Gion Festival-
Here in Kyoto, we had one of Japan’s most famous and traditional annual events Gion Festival (Gion Matsuri) It takes place in Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, during... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Kyoto offers diverse housing options, including shared apartments located within a 20-minute commute of CIEE Kyoto. Our housing options are conveniently located within walking distance of restaurants, cafés, shops, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and public transportation.
Standard Housing: Includes a twin room in an apartment or hotel located within 20 minutes from CIEE Kyoto or a single room at a homestay within a 90-minute commute from CIEE Kyoto.
- Homestays: Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family.
- Shared Apartments: Apartments boast kitchenettes, high-speed Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, and laundry facilities.
- Hotels: Hotels feature high-speed Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, mini-fridges, televisions, shared desk space, shared laundry facilities, and a weekly cleaning service.
Select Housing: A single room in an apartment or hotel located within 20 minutes of CIEE Kyoto. Select housing requires an additional fee.
- Apartments: Apartments boast kitchenettes, high-speed Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms and laundry facilities.
- Hotels: Hotels feature high-speed Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, mini-fridges, televisions, shared desk space, shared laundry facilities, and a weekly cleaning service.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
MEALS
- Shared Apartments: Meals are not included.
- Hotels: Meals are not included.
- Homestays: Breakfast and dinner are provided seven days per week.
Academics
Students take two credit-bearing courses per summer block. This program provides opportunities to enroll in courses from a variety of academic tracks. Students will learn the intercultural skills needed to succeed in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Course Notes
- Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
Language Classes
- During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory language course will be required to take a language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
- Students can also enroll in an optional Survival Japanese course (non-credit) during a single block.
Summer Block I 2025
Summer Block II 2025
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Block I 2025 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $6,950 |
| Program Summer Blocks I, II 2025 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $13,900 |
| Program Summer Block II 2025 6 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $6,950 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $4,450 ** |
| Housing | $2,000 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $6,950 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $600 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $630 † |
| International Airfare | $1,700 |
| Local Transportation | $150 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| Personal expenses | $170 †† |
| Other | $150 |
| Total Costs | $2,900 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Sim card requires one time fee of 25
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $9,400 ** |
| Housing | $4,000 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $13,900 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $1,200 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $1,260 † |
| International Airfare | $1,700 |
| Local Transportation | $300 |
| Books & Supplies | $200 |
| Personal expenses | $340 †† |
| Other | $300 |
| Total Costs | $4,100 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Sim card requires one time fee of 25
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $4,450 ** |
| Housing | $2,000 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $6,950 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $600 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $630 † |
| International Airfare | $1,700 |
| Local Transportation | $150 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| Personal expenses | $170 †† |
| Other | $150 |
| Total Costs | $2,900 |
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††Sim card requires one time fee of 25
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Conor Aherne
Center Director
Conor’s passion for Japan began 12 years ago when he studied abroad in Tokyo. He holds an MA in Japanese & Asian History from Saitama University and is a specialist in Kyoto history.
Izumi Wada
Senior Program Coordinator
Izumi was born in Kyoto and studied abroad in the US when she was in high school. She is passionate about helping students make their study abroad experience meaningful and fruitful (and baking bread on the weekend!).
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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