Japan
Studying Interaction Design (MART 393) and Ethnographic Film (ANTH 200) in Japan will allow you to step out of your normal routine, and into a culture that is very different from our own. As you learn about Japanese culture and the role it plays in Japanese design and cinema, you will help to free yourself from the myth of ‘it’s always been done this way.’ Japan’s culture is simultaneously cutting-edge technologically deeply tied to history and tradition.
Community participants are welcome to attend the 2026 Japan Summer Program. Spots are limited and available
on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any course.
For community participants, a $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community
College District’s study abroad scholarship fund will be added to the program fee.
This is the same practice as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program and before April 11, 2026 (the final program payment deadline). * Information about how to make the $500 donation
will be sent to you via email after you are officially accepted by the program.
Japan 2026 Program Dates
Depart from U.S. June 13, 2026
Depart from Japan July 11, 2026
Activity Level: Moderate
Program Provider: TBA
Apply by: Mid- March 2026
Attend an info session to learn more about the Japan study abroad program or how to apply for scholarships to pay for study abroad.
Info Session Event ListingCan't make the info session or have more questions? Japan program faculty leaders are offering office hours: Hours TBA
Attend Office HoursANTH 200 - Ethnographic Film | 3.0 Units
Prerequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: DSI
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE DSI), UC (IGETC Area 4)
Introduction to the use of film and photography by anthropologists as a research tool through viewing films depicting different cultures from around the world. Our focus will be on Japanese film and understanding Japanese culture through film. Students are expected to analyze people from various ethnic groups in differing cultural contexts as to their contributions to the world community without prejudice or ethnocentrism.
MART 394 - Interaction Design | 3.0 Units
Prerequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area B1, B2
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The design of everyday objects in Japan is fundamentally different than the same objects in Japan. User-centered design means that you constantly think of the user when you are making any design, but different cultures have different priorities.
These cultural differences can be explored through design, and students can appreciate the difference between the way Japanese designers solved common problems and the way American designers solved the same problems. It will help them with expanding their design understanding and capabilities, which they can apply in future classes.
Important Note: Courses will begin as hybrid courses during the summer session. Students can choose to take one of the two courses offered.
Program Fee: TBA
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 10-14 participants
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 15-19 participants
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 20-24 participants
*International airfare not included. - Option group flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo : $TBA
Payment Schedule (TBA)
Program Fee Includes
- TBA
Refund and Withdrawal Policy
TBA
At the time of application to the program, students must satisfy the following program eligibility requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Complete an interview with the Professor of the course
Community Participants
Community participants are welcome to attend the summer Program. Spots are limited
and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any
course.
A $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community College District’s study abroad
scholarship fund is required for the community participants. This is the same practice
as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program.
* Information about how to make the $500 donation will be sent to you via email after
you are officially accepted by the program.
More Information or Questions?
Professor Jessica Marshall
Email: marshallj@smccd.edu
Professor Hyla Lacefield
Email: lacefieldh@smccd.edu
Kelly Li
Program Services Coordinator|SMCCCD Study Abroad
Email: studyabroad@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 738-7098
Meet Professor Jessica Marshall
Jessica Marshall is a Professor of Anthropology at Cañada College and has taught for 21 years. With a passion for taking students abroad, she has taught Anthropology in Egypt, Italy, and Australia. Her research interests are in contemporary objects made to keep traditions alive. She holds a BA in Anthropology, a BA in Photography, and a BA in Journalism from California State University Sacramento, and an MA in Visual Anthropology from the University of Kent in England. She completed her PhD coursework in Interdisciplinary Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra. Before teaching, Jessica worked as an archaeologist and lived and traveled extensively around the globe. She is so excited to teach Anthropology in Japan, and plans to tie place into her class so students can apply course concepts to their experiences.
Meet Professor Hyla Lacefield
Hyla Lacefield is a Professor of Digital Art & Animation with a focus on User Experience/Interaction Design. Before joining Cañada in 2011, Hyla was President of Celga, Inc. for a decade, a Japanese/US business that helped people buy products from Japanese marketplaces like Yahoo Japan and Rakuten. During that time, Hyla spent a great deal of time in Japan. Although travel became much more limited after becoming a full-time faculty member, there was no loss of respect and admiration for Japanese culture and design. Prior to forming Celga, Inc., Hyla worked in video games for companies large (such as Maxis) and small (such as Prolific Publishing). Hyla’s BA from UGA was interdisciplinary (Area Studies) in Photography and Anthropology, followed by a MA in Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology. Specifically, the focus was on Iconography and how pre-literate cultures used art as a means of communication and to create a sense of belonging. Although the means have changed, from primitive technology to cutting-edge technology like XR, storytelling and cultural awareness is at the core of it all.
Read the last paragraph again. Did you notice there were no gendered pronouns? In Japanese, あの人 (that person) is more common than 彼 (kare) and 彼女 (kanojo), the gendered equivalents. However, it is most common to just use the person’s name or expect that the listener will understand who is being referenced. This is just one of many ways that Japanese culture varies from the norm in the USA. Come explore this and so much more in 2026 in Japan!