Ecosystems & Ecotourism in Japan

If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Program dates are subject to change.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

• Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. 
• LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
• LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
• Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

• Parent Orientation
• Mental Health Workshop

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.

Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship

Special funding is available if you are a first-year student through the Gerald B. & Catherine L. Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship.

Additional Scholarship Opportunity for Passport Funding

Students on a 2025–26 winter break, May, and summer Learning Abroad Center Seminar who apply for the Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 scholarship application cycles will receive an additional $500. Recipients will be selected based on score and awarded while funding remains. No additional scholarship application is required. This award is funded by the generous support of WorldStrides, an LAC partner organization.

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

• Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
   • Passport Information
   • Emergency Contacts
   • Health Information Form
   • Online Health & Safety Orientation
   • Release & Waiver
5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.