Office of International Education and Development

Program Dates: May 14, 2024 - June 2, 2024

The Art and Culture program will combine travel to Japan and Taiwan, visiting three major cities over a 20-day program. During this program, we will attend historic architectural sites, museums, and cultural sites, visit artist studios, and develop firsthand knowledge of the interaction between Japan and Taiwan's history and its emergence in the international art scene. Students will use visual journaling, drawing, writing, and photographs to capture, explore, and give voice to the trip's experiences. Daily assignments will provide perspective on the cultural aspects of travel. Shared research and a reflection paper will contextualize, expand one's knowledge, and give the student a frame of reference for determining how these traditions can be a source of inspiration or a point of departure. Two pre-travel classes in the spring will cover necessary language skills and studio course projects, provide a more detailed schedule of events and protect all travel questions.

Locations

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan, and one of the three major cities of Japan (Tokyo-Osaka-Nagoya). It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2.7 million in the 2020 census, it is also the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, which is the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the 10th largest urban area in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC),is a countryin East Asia. It is located at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The territories controlled by the ROC consist of 168 islandswith a combined area of 36,193 square kilometres (13,974 square miles).The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 square miles), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanized population is concentrated. The capital, Taipei, forms along with New Taipei City and Keelung, the largest metropolitan area in Taiwan. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Academics

All program participants will be enrolled in one "Art Japan and Taiwan: Visual Journaling" course and one  "Art Japan and Taiwan: Ceramic History and Practice" course shown below.

If you have taken one or more of the courses below, or need a similar but different course to meet major or minor requirements, you may seek permission to take a substitute or "special course." Approval for such exceptions is at the discretion of the faculty leader(s), department chairs, and the college dean, and require the University's special course form. Please contact the program leader before you begin your application.

Faculty Leaders

Lisa M. Stinson

Professor, Studio Art
Department of Applied and Fine Arts
stinsonlm@appstate.edu

Biography

Lisa Stinson is a Professor in the Art Department and Coordinator of the Ceramic Area at Appalachian State University. She earned her MFA in Ceramics from Rhode Island School of Design, a BFA in Ceramics from New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University and a BA in Psychology from Wells College.

Her current studio work investigates her interests in mark making, as it relates to surface, pattern, and drawing. Her ideas address both utility and non-functional with a continued commitment to materials research.

Professor Lisa Stinson has led a Study Abroad Program to Spain in 2017 and 2018 and is passionate about the global learning experience.  She received the 2017 College of Fine and Applied Art Teaching Award of Excellence.

Hui Chi Lee

Professor, Studio Art
Department of Applied and Fine Arts
leehc@appstate.edu

Biography

Hui Chi Lee, an Associate Professor in Studio Art, focuses on drawing, painting, and mixed media. She received a BFA from the University of Arizona, MS in Art Therapy from Illinois State University, and a MFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Florida.

Professor Lee is fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese. She has led study-abroad programs in China and Taiwan in 2016 and 2018 and is passionate about sharing the culture of Asian countries. 

Program Cost: $7,500

Program cost includes airfare, meals, lodging, in-country transportation, tickets and events. 

Please note - Students are responsible for the total program cost upon submiting the application and deposit. Refunds are contingent upon meeting the minimum enrollment of the program. If a student decides to withdraw before departure, that student may be eligible for a refund if the program has met minimum enrollment and is therefore viable. 

Non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.  Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. 

Appalachian reserves the right to cancel or alter the program format or to change costs in case of conditions beyond the university's control.  Further details about Appalachian's withdrawal/cancellation policy can be found at this link.

Application Process

1. In order to apply for this program, you will need to contact one of the program leaders and provide your Banner ID and email address. Program leaders may request additional information or a meeting to discuss the details of the program and your interest.
2. When permission to apply for the program is granted, you will receive an email from your program leader with instructions to apply.
3. Apply to the program following the instructions from the program leader
4. Print, sign and drop off your application at the Office of International Education and Development at Plemmons Student Union (PSU), Suite 321 ( 3rd floor), 263 Locust Street Boone, NC 28608. Your application will be considered complete when you have submitted your digital application, paid the $300 deposit, and dropped off your printed and signed application. The fee cannot be paid until it appears on your student account. Please note that it may take 2–3 business days for it to post to your account. You will receive an email with Instructions for paying the deposit fee. Instructions can also be found in the application.