Dates: May 18 – July 25, 2025.
Program Fee: $5,000 (includes housing, insurance, and all program related ground transportation; excludes tuition and airfare)
Courses
- Government and Politics of Asia (INTA 2230)
- Pacific Security Issues (INTA 3131)
- Scenario Writing and Pathgaming (INTA 4014)
- Korean Security Policy (INTA 4333)
There are no prerequisites or language requirements.
Travel Leg
A highlight of the East Asia Study Abroad Program is the two-week travel leg through Japan. The journey begins in Hiroshima, a city known for its poignant history as the site of the first atomic bombing in 1945. Next, students will experience Osaka, a vibrant metropolis famous for its street food culture and the bustling Dotonbori district. The trip continues to Nara, home to ancient temples and shrines, as well as the free-roaming deer of Nara Park. Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan and features historical sites such as the famous Imperial Palace. Students will then travel north to explore the coastal city of Sendai, known for its summer Tanabata festival. The visit to Fukushima provides a unique perspective on resilience and sustainability as the region recovers from the 2011 nuclear disaster. Finally, the journey culminates in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a high-tech city and a center of the global economy. This two-week tour of Japan will be an exciting experience which will complement students’ classroom learning in Seoul and Taipei.
Day Trips and Long Weekends
Classroom meetings are held Monday through Thursday, providing students with long weekends to explore both Seoul and Taipei. Both cities have excellent transportation systems, so students will be able to make the most of their time in each city. In Seoul, they can visit historic Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Bukchon Hanok Village, the Myeongdong shopping district, N Seoul Tower, the Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden, and much more. Possible day trips in South Korea could include the major city of Busan, the Starfield Suwon shopping mall, the historic sites of Gyeoungju, and the Everland Theme Park.
Taipei is likewise full of opportunities for students to explore. They can visit the iconic Taipei 101, the Shilin Night Market, the National Palace Museum, Elephant Mountain, the Ximending shopping district, and much more. Destinations for day trips in Taiwan could include the port city of Kaohsiung, Taroko National Park, the historic sites of Tainan, and the Penghu Islands. In addition to their travels in Japan and experiences in the classroom, students will be able to make the East Asia Study Abroad Program an unforgettable experience by using their long weekends to explore Seoul, Taipei, and beyond.
Insurance
Study abroad programs organized and managed by Georgia Tech provide supplemental insurance to all participants. This supplemental insurance includes medical, repatriation, and evacuation coverage. All students who participate in GT study abroad programs are required to have this study abroad insurance plan coverage; students pay for this study abroad insurance in their program fee.
Medical Coverage
The medical coverage is intended as a supplement to study abroad participants’ primary health insurance policies. The policy is valid for the duration of the program. The policy provides some coverage for injuries sustained or conditions diagnosed while abroad, but that coverage is limited in terms of time and amount so participants are strongly encouraged to keep their regular health insurance active while abroad. Information on the terms and limits of the coverage provided by the policy is explained in the brochure, “Georgia Institute of Technology Study Abroad Insurance Plan,” which is provided to all study abroad participants at the prep meetings conducted by the Office of International Education.
Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage
In the unfortunate event of an accident or other medical emergency, repatriation and evacuation coverage provides funds to pay for one’s return to the U.S. Information on the terms and limits of the coverage provided by the policy is explained in the brochure, “Georgia Institute of Technology Study Abroad Insurance Plan,” which is provided to all study abroad participants at the prep meetings conducted by the Office of International Education.
The policy that will be used by GT study abroad programs is administered by T.W. Lord Associates and is underwritten by ACE American Insurance Company.
PLEASE NOTE: GT study abroad programs DO NOT provide other types of supplemental insurance coverage, such as theft insurance, trip cancellation insurance, etc.
Withdrawal Policy
Half of the program fee is due January 15, 2025, with the remaining balance due on February 15, 2025. Although half of the first payment is refundable, no refunds will be granted after February 15, 2025. Students receiving financial aid should notify the Program Director. Once the program begins, withdrawal is not permitted.