Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Asia, Japan
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

Spend four weeks in Kyoto, Japan with UO Professor of Psychology Jeff Measelle and Assoc. Professor Jennifer Ablow exploring the psychology of human mental health, development, and the science behind a meaningful life in a global context all while experiencing this iconic and beautiful country and its cultures. By studying these subjects in another country, students on this program will leverage better insights into their home society's conception of mental health and a meaningful life, as well as learn how other culture's conceptions compare and contrast. Japanese cultural values differ in many ways to that of American culture. Studying in Japan will provide first-hand, unique exposure to these contrasts which will be incorporated into the course teachings and assignments.

Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and is famous for its temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional wooden houses. Located in Japan’s Kansai region, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations and is home to many iconic cultural sights, including the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera temple, and Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Kyoto’s location also offers easy access to other parts of Japan: Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Nagoya can be reached in less than an hour by train, and Tokyo is just 2.5 hours away by high-speed Shinkansen (bullet train).

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2026 03/15/2026 Late June Late July

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application.

There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

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Hear from Our Students

My Life-changing Experience in Japan

A college-aged girl posing next to a deer in Japan's deer park.
  Image I know everyone says this, but studying abroad truly changed my life. I took buses and subways with locals and attended a class in a… read more

Faculty-Led Scholarship Opportunity

Applicants to this program are eligible for program-specific scholarship funds. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500-$1,500. To be considered, apply to the GEO General Scholarship by the advertised deadline for the term you will be abroad. Students who apply will automatically be considered for all available funding within the General Scholarship, including this program's scholarship funds.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

See "View All Courses" in right-hand menu for more details and course syllabi.

PSY388: Psychology of  a Meaningful Life (300 level Psychology Elective)

Approaches the science of a meaningful life with three themes: scientific basis of a meaningful life, cultural variations in approaches to a meaningful life, and implementing practices in one's own life to promote happiness, meaningfulness, and well-being.

PSY388: Global Mental Health and Development

Examines a collection of global health problems deeply rooted in changing social structures. This course is interdisciplinary and ideal for students wishing to explore careers in public health, anthropology, economics, epidemiology, medicine and psychology.

 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Jeffrey Measelle is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon. His research primarily focuses on he effects of early adversity on young children's development, in particular, the effects of prenatal and postnatal stress on the developing brain.  Much of this work has been carried out with at-risk communities in the United States, including families contending with extreme poverty, trauma, and social isolation. Prof. Measelle is a member of the University's Global Health faculty, as well as Co-Director of the UO Center for Global Health and Co-Director of the Oregon Public Health Corps.

Jennifer Ablow is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon. Her research interests are in the area of prenatal and postnatal stress, prenatal and parental mental health, intergenerational transmission of well-being, attachment relationships, social determinants of health, and parent-infant prevention and intervention. Dr. Ablow is also a licensed psychologist and a certified Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) clinician on the international CPP roster.

Housing Description

Students will be housing in hotels in Kyoto and hotels or traditional Japanese ryokans during excursions. You will be in shared rooms with other students on the program of the same gender.

Budget and Price

Psychology in Kyoto

2025 Summer

Program Fees Paid to GEO
UO Study Abroad Fee* $500
Program Tuition $4,935
Housing & Included Meals $2,000
Local Transportation $60
Insurance $105
Other Estimated Expenses
Estimated Airfare from Eugene $1,900
Estimated Additional Meals $400
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $100
Estimated Travel Clinic & Pre-departure Physical* $50
Estimated Cost of Acquiring Passport $150
Estimated Additional Living Expenses $300
Total
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $10,500

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, excursions, housing, some meals, course materials, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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