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Undergraduate Current Students | Stern Around the World in Japan

Image of Tokyo, Japan skyline
Stern Around the World in

Japan

MULT-UB 135: Economy & Business in Japan | Explore the different facets of management, society, the economy and politics in Japan.  


Stern Around the World in Japan - SPRING 2024

This course explores different facets of management, society, the economy and politics in Japan.  Japan's successful and state-led development model has served as a blueprint for many countries, especially influencing nearby countries in Asia like Korea, Singapore and China.  However, in recent decades Japan's economy has slowed markedly and its population is set to fall rapidly in coming decades as the country ages.  What can we learn from Japan's economic successes as well as the more recent economic troubles?

This May 2024 semester course takes place in New York. Then from Sunday, May 19th – Saturday, May 25th, 2024, you will take a class trip to Tokyo, Japan.

Japan's management practices as well as financial and corporate governance systems remain profoundly different from those found anywhere else.  Its famous focus on quality control and lean manufacturing transformed entire industries like automobiles. It's cultural influence from manga and anime to fashion and film far outstrips its size.  What lessons can we learn from Japan?

This course and trip are designed to equip you to understand, invest and work in this unique country.

No application required! But attending or viewing an Info Session is required when enrolling in this course (requires Zoom sign-in via NYU SSO - see date below)

  • Enrollment is done through Albert for this course.
  • Enrollment is open to all NYU Stern students and is first-come, first-served, based on your registration time.
  • If the course fills up, there will be a Waitlist. Set up ‘Edit Swap’ function on Albert to ensure you’re not stuck on the waitlist
  • If you successfully enroll, you will be contacted via email with next steps. See additional details below.
  • This course is only open to NYU Stern students. 
  • Important Notes:
    • Seniors who plan to graduate in May - the final grade for this course will not be available until after the May  trip.

Course Overview

MULT-UB 135: Economy & Business in Japan
3 credits | Tuesdays from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Course: Full Semester | Travel: Required trip to Japan in May 2024
Instructor: Professor Joseph Foudy (jfoudy@stern.nyu.edu)

What are the key strengths of Japan from a business perspective?  How has its business culture helped and hindered business?  Widely credited for managing the Covid epidemic, it has also struggled to adapt existing institutions and open its doors to immigration.  As the oldest society in the world and with its population set to fall significantly in the coming decades, Japan serves as a testbed for the demographic changes sweeping the world.  Officially pacifist, how has the Japanese government managed foreign policy challenges and the rise of China?

This 3-credit course can count towards:

  • Business Economics Concentration Elective
  • General Stern elective

*Please note: a max of one SAW travel course can be applied per concentration or minor


Eligibility

This course is open to NYU Stern students who meet the following prerequisites:

  • Must be in good academic and judicial standing with Stern and NYU
  • Must be enrolled at Stern in New York City during the semester you take the course
  • Important Notes:
    • Seniors who plan to graduate in May - the final grade for this course will not be available until after the May trip
  • Viewing an Info Session is required when enrolling in this course (requires Zoom sign-in via NYU SSO).

Program Timeline

DateEvent/Deadline
Monday, November 6, 2023 12:30pmSAW: Japan Virtual Info Session. Recording (requires Zoom sign-in via NYU SSO)
Week of November 13th

During registration for Spring 2024, you will register yourself via NYU Albert. (Open enrollment with waitlist as long as space remains available).  All Stern undergraduate students who register for this course will be automatically evaluated for the need-based SAW: Japan Stern Global Immersion Scholarship.

Viewing an Info Session is required when enrolling in this course (requires Zoom sign-in via NYU SSO).

Late NovemberYou will receive an email with next steps - including information on confirming your spot by submitting the program contract along with a copy of your valid passport (see passport information below).
Late NovemberSpring NYU Bursar bills post  - will reflect program fee (see "Estimated Expenses" below)
Mid-DecemberYou will be notified if you have received a SAW: Japan Stern Global Immersion Scholarship. If so it will be automatically applied to your Spring Bursar bill to offset the program fee.
Mid-DecemberDeadline to submit contract with copy of your valid passport
Early JanuarySpring NYU Bursar bills due 
January 25, 2024Class begins in NYC
February 12, 2024Deadline to purchase flights and submit travel information to the Japan team
April 25, 2024Mandatory In class trip pre-departure session
May 19 - 25, 2024Required Japan trip

**You will arrange your own flights to and from Tokyo, Japan. Please view the sample itinerary below, note the required program start and end times and plan your flights accordingly to account for travel time to Japan, customs and transportation to the hotel.  You must plan to arrive into Tokyo early enough in the day so that you can check in on time for the official start of the program at the group hotel.  Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.  You will be expected to stay with the group until the official end of the program. 


Estimated Expenses

Please note: Although you will register for this 3-credit course as part of your Spring schedule, NYU tuition and registration fees do not cover the additional fees for the trip to Japan.

Estimated Expenses
You are Responsible For:Estimated Expenses:Notes:
Housing & Program Fee$2,400Does not include flight. Global Immersion Scholarships available (see below).
Round Trip Flight*$1,400*Estimate. You will make your own flight arrangements.
Passport Renewal/Visa*$150 – 175*Estimate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the trip concludes. Visas are not required for US Citizens.  
Vaccinations/Travel Medication*$50 – 200*Estimate. Vaccinations are not required for US Citizens, though recommended by the CDC.
Personal Expenses*$500 – $600*Estimate.

The Housing & Program Fee will be required of all participants* (see scholarship info below).  It will be added to your May 2024 Bursar bill, which we anticipate will be due in early January.  Please check the NYU Bursar’s website for the May 2024 payment deadline.  Please note: the Housing & Program Fee is non-refundable after the May 2024 drop/add period unless the trip is canceled by NYU Stern.

The Housing & Program fee covers:

  • Group Hotel in Tokyo, Japan (6 nights)
  • Daily breakfast in hotel, other meals as listed on itinerary
  • Local transportation
  • Group excursions

Need-based Travel Scholarships

All Stern undergraduate students who register for this course will be automatically evaluated for a Stern Global Immersion Scholarship. 

  • This need-based award is to help cover the additional travel cost of participating in this program. Awards granted to eligible students will cover up to the cost of the Housing & Program fee for the travel portion of the class.  Following is the SAW: Japan Housing & Program fee and (if awarded) the allocation for the air travel (Travel allocation) for May 2024:
    • Housing & Program Fee (does not include flight): Japan: $2,400 
    • Travel allocation (if awarded): Japan: $1,400 
           *You will arrange your own flights to and from Tokyo, Japan. 
  • Students must have a current FAFSA or CSS Profile application on file with NYU to be considered for an award. Students will be notified if they will receive a Stern Global Immersion Scholarship - and if so, the amount - according to the schedule above. 
  • *Note: If you have already applied a Global Immersion Scholarship to another SAW short-term program, you will still be automatically considered for a scholarship for this program as well.  However funds are limited and second scholarships cannot be guaranteed. 

Passport and Visa Requirements for All Participants

Passports: You must have a passport valid for more than six months beyond the dates of the trip.  More information on how to renew or obtain a U.S. passport can be found on the U.S. Department of State's website. If you are an international student please contact your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  All NYU students are welcome to contact the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) for assistance as well.

Visas: U.S. passports valid for more than six months beyond the dates of travel do not need a visa to enter Japan. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please consult Japan’s visa requirements.  If you have questions, please contact the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS).

It is your responsibility to apply and receive the appropriate visas for your passport in a timely manner for the trip. Trip Program Fee refunds are not provided if you fail to secure your visa.