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Japan Center - Mindful Leadership, Creativity, and Engaged Learning (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Hikone, Japan
  • Program Terms:  
  • Program Sponsor: Japan Center for Michigan Universities 
  • Restrictions: SVSU applicants only
  • This program is currently not accepting applications.
Program Description:

Mindful banner

 

Explore Japanese mindfulness on this short experiential-focused program! 

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

Length: 2 weeks (Mid-May through the end of May)

Credits: 3

Location: Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Housing: JCMU Residence Hall

Eligibility: Minimum 2.5 GPA. Open to college students of all majors.

Language of instruction: English

Program fees: Mindful Leadership budget sheet

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Summary: Travel to Japan and discover an interdisciplinary perspective for mindful leadership drawing from mindfulness research in psychology, creativity and aesthetics for an engaged living with a commitment to social justice and transformation. The course draws from East Asian Buddhist contemplative practices and three notions of Japanese aesthetics (Mono no aware, Wabi-sabi and Ma), providing a strong foundational understanding of mindfulness from a cultural and Humanities perspective.

Learning in the Field: As an an experiential learning course abroad, the instructor will provide you with ample opportunities to connect directly with the Japanese mindset and creative arts. Building on these practices, you will explore how mindfulness practices can enable them to be more authentic, open and engaged servant leaders who can lead with compassion, generosity and cultural humility.

Field trips & other benefits: You will be provided with your own bike to use while on the program. In addition, you will have the chance to go on a field excursion with your classmates! The location & date of the excursion are subject to change on a yearly basis, but past students have been taken to Kyoto, Nara, Uji, and more.

Course objectives:
  1. To gain knowledge about empirical research on mindfulness including scholarship on critical mindfulness;
  2. To provide an overview of theoretical and methodological advances in the psychological study of mindfulness and its effectiveness in improving psychological and physical well-being, creativity and mindful leadership;
  3. To learn about current research on mindful leadership while learning several mindfulness practices with a specific goal to cultivating interconnectedness;
  4. To have an amazing, transformative experience in a foreign country
Program Leader: Ram Mahalingam is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Over the past six years, he has been conducting research on mindfulness and social justice, drawing upon his knowledge of the Humanities, religion, cultural studies, and more. A longtime scholar in both India and the U.S., Dr. Mahalingam has received four teaching awards at the college and national level including the prestigious John Dewey Award in recognition of his commitment to undergraduate education. 
 

 ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS AND MORE

Want to learn what past students have said about their time in Hikone? Or do you want to read about what our recent students have been up to? Then visit the Alumni Testimonials and Events sections of the JCMU Official Blog!

With a Japanese familyLearning to play the kotoWearing kimonoJapanese garden behind JCMU

Dates / Deadlines:

There are currently no active application cycles for this program.

This program is currently not accepting applications.