The application is located via the Apply link above.

The deadline for applications & deposits is in January (see Dr. Tyler for the exact date). However, the sooner you can apply the better. The sooner we know how many people are going, the sooner we can book flights & rooms and save money.

Late applications may be accepted, but there's no guarantee that you'll be able to go.

No. Applying is free.

Dr. Tyler will review the applications and may invite students for a short conversation. Following the conversation, students will be notified about whether they are accepted to the course.

The course is capped at 20 students, who are chosen through an application process that includes academic criteria, a student questionnaire, and a conversation with the primary instructor. See application details by clicking here or on the Apply link above.

Definitely not. This class is open to anyone interested in learning more about other cultures. This class is about the sport industry (i.e., behind-the-scenes) and the interplay between sport and culture. Therefore, knowledge of what happens on to the pitch is mostly irrelevant.

Yes, you can (provided you are accepted based on the other requirements). You just need to apply to WCU as "transient student," and there's a $50 charge to the Admissions Office to do that.

For more details, see the Admissions Office's information about transient students.

For WCU grads, your 92 number will basically be reauthorized for summer session and you'll be registered/billed for the course just like anyone else.

For non-WCU students, the process is a little more involved, but it's mostly just paperwork.

Contact Ms. Kelsey Woodford in the student financial aid office.
Email: kwoodford@wcu.edu; be sure to email from your Catamount email and include your 92 number
In person: Stop by the financial aid office in Killian Annex and ask for Ms. Woodford
You can also review the Financial Aid procedures document (pdf) provided by Financial Aid

Potentially. One options is to check with WCU's Office of International Programs & Services (IPS). They have a list of common scholarships for which students may qualify, but they have other resources as well that you can discuss with them directly.

A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required in January. However, because there is limited space, we will only guarantee spots to the first 20 accepted students who submit their deposit.
All remaining travel costs are due in late winter (unless covered by financial aid; Financial aid payments are made 9 days before trip departure). Exact deadline will be added as they are finalized.

After submitting your deposit to OneStop, you will receive an email that looks like the one below:

Forward that email to Student Accounts <studentaccounts@email.wcu.edu> with the following text (adapted for the current year and destination):

Details will be provided once the number of students is set. For money going directly to the school, you will pay the deposit in January and the balance in late February or early March (TBD). Your food, souvenir, and activity money won't be spent until you're abroad.

You make payments into your student account at OneStop just as you would normally, though you'll take special care to have the payments earmarked for this course (as described on this page).

The following are examples of items that have NOT been included in the budget:

• Gifts - buying souvenirs for yourself or for others
• Extra activities - what you do in your free time
• Excess food & drink - A meal allowance is included in the budget. It is paid by you, but it can be covered by financial aid. This covers basic eating, but if you're going out to better restaurants, or ordering more expensive drinks during dinner, you'll go over the budgeted amount quickly.
• Excess travel - The amount budgeted for travel will be enough to get you to/from all required activities. However, anything you do on your own time will need to be covered by you. See the budget for a list of what is covered, which will help you determine what isn't covered.

SM 350 counts as a P6 (World Cultures) for all students, and it counts as a ULP for non-SM majors or SM major who are double majoring in something else too. For SM majors, the ENGR 365 course satisfies the ULP.

This class is either a required or an elective course for sport management majors (depending on your catalog), and it one of the options for SM minors.

Please read the syllabus to learn more about the assignments and grading for the course.

In short, there will be reading (and related assignments) due before we depart so that students are prepared to get the most out of their time while travelling. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the preparation work during the spring.

Please read the syllabus to learn more about the expectations of students while on the trip.

Please read the syllabus to learn more about what is required upon the completion of the travel.

You will receive six (6) total credit hours: three (3) credit hours under the SM 350 course number and three (3) credit hours under the ENGR 365 course number.

We'll talk about it as we get closer to departure, but...

You will need to have some business casual clothes. You'll wear these to our meetings with industry executives and scholars. But whatever you do...

Pack lightly!

I can't stress this enough (but I'll try). Plan to take only a carry-on and a small rolling bag or backpack that is small enough to fit in the overhead bin (i.e., no checked luggage).

• The website One Bag is a good resource that goes into detail about one-bagging it for trips abroad.
• This YouTube video on bundle packing that shows how to get 16 garments into a carry-on.
• Scan through Lifehacker.com's packing-related posts to get more tips. Some are geared more toward frequent business travelers (like this YouTube video, which is way beyond my packing abilities), but the tips still might be helpful.

Both. Some events may require us to dress up, while for other events business casual will be fine.

When you are out on your own, it is up to you what you wear. But, we'll talk about suggested apparel in order to fit in (hint: ditch the baseball caps and t-shirts with company branding).

Japan is a very cash-based culture. Some places take credit cards, but for the most part, you will need to have cash. How much you need on hand will depend on the activities for the day. The instructors can offer more specific suggestions as we near departure.

While you could convert money when you land at the airport, I advise having Japanese Yen with you from Day 1. I usually convert at least $200 through my local bank about 3 weeks before departure.

Once in Japan, you can withdraw cash from ATMs, but only those that accept foreign cards; the easiest option is to use the ATMS at 7/11s or inside post offices. Check on the back of your bank's ATM card - if you have a Plus or Cirrus logo, your card should work there (though it wouldn't hurt to check with your bank first when you call to tell them you're going abroad). See Frommer's for more on money in Japan.

The faculty and students fly from Asheville to Japan through Atlanta. We encourage students to travel as a group, but students have the freedom to fly on a different approved itinerary and rendezvous in Tokyo (e.g., fly out of Wilmington instead of Asheville; use frequent flier miles on another airline). Typically we'll all get on the same flight out of Atlanta, even if we leave from a different city initially.

There are no required activities on the last day. Many students fly back to USA with faculty, but students may instead choose to extend their stay, continue to other destinations, or take an alternate itinerary home. Faculty can give feedback during to help students plan, but at this point, students are independent (or with other students in the course) and no longer considered part of the travel program. Thus, they are responsible and liable for their planning, transportation home, insurance, etc.

We don't include flight costs in the base trip price because of students taking different itineraries home, using frequent flyer miles, leaving from a different city, etc. However, airfare is included in the budget for the trip, which allows it to be covered by financial aid.

Wherever possible, you will be given the option to choose your roommate(s) ahead of time. Those who do not have roommates in mind will have ample opportunity to meet others taking the course during the Spring and will be able to match up accordingly. No coed roommates are allowed unless it is a sibling or a spouse.

Lodging abroad tends not to be at the same level of space/service as American hotels (at least at our price range). It will be safe, clean, and well-maintained, but it won't be spacious.

As the course is designed to keep us moving, you will have limited time (outside of free days) in your accommodation. Any time you're awake in your room is time you aren't experiencing the local culture, so minimize your time at "home" and get out in the city!

Passport: yes. Visa: no.

Your passport must expire no sooner than six months after you are due to return home. So, if you're leaving to fly home on May 24, your passport has to be good through at least November 24. Note: if you're not an American citizen, you might need a visa.

None.