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

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Summer20253/15/20256/29/20257/26/2025

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.

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.