Global East Asia Maymester

Global East Asia (GEA) is a four week upper-division Maymester research course with a study abroad component for USC undergraduate students, made possible by the East Asian Studies Center and USC Dornsife. This intensive program gives students the opportunity to travel and conduct research in East Asia. Students from all majors, schools and language backgrounds are eligible to apply and experience East Asia in a unique way.

JAPAN

Instructor: Miya Elise Desjardins, Adjunct Associate Professor of Art History and EALC
Location: Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo, Japan
Course Title: Japanese Society and Design Thinking (#25803)
Dates: May 18, 2026 – June 12, 2026

This course examines contemporary Japanese design beyond the material culture of the everyday, reframing it as a form of social engagement that exists across various media and disciplines. We will explore, from a transdisciplinary perspective, the ways in which the practice of design engages with social problems and contributes to social transformation. From interior furnishings to exterior landscapes, spanning real and virtual environments, design plays a significant role in the creation of national infrastructure. Specific attention will be paid to the global dimensions of Japanese design and its transnational migration, adaptation, and instances of exchange and collaboration that have emerged between Japan and our locale, Los Angeles, by surveying a selection of design practices. The 4-week course will be held for 1 week in Los Angeles and includes visits to museums and galleries, businesses, Japan House-LA, gardens and other cultural venues that feature iterations of Japanese design, and 3 weeks in Tokyo, conducting fieldwork.

Please note: Students will be sharing rooms for the duration of their time in Japan. 

Learn more!

  • ♦ Complete the online application form and upload your Personal Statement.

    ♦ Personal statement: Explain your interest in the selected program, discuss your personal and academic experience related to East Asia and/or the country of study, include information on related coursework you have taken or are taking, and explain any financial need. If you have a research topic related to the course, please include this in your personal statement. 500 word maximum.

    For the Tokyo, Japan Maymester, please include:

    • A clear interest in the field of design
    • How the study of design will benefit or complement your major course of study
    • A research topic proposal you are considering

    Applications are now open and have been extended until Monday, November 10, 2025!

  • ♦ USC undergraduate from any major/school
    ♦ Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Billable Amounts

    • Program fee: $2000 (incl. cost of lodging)

    Non-Billable Amounts

    • Airfare: $1000-$1500 (estimate)
    • Personal meals: $600 (estimate)
    • Plus personal transportation and passport fees (if needed)

  • EASC Funding
     Accepted students will have the opportunity to apply for supplemental funding to cover program costs.
    Please contact easc@usc.edu for more details!

    SOAR
    The SOAR program provides funding to support Dornsife undergraduate research with USC faculty. The amount of funding is up to $1,000 per academic year towards Maymesters. SOAR allows all students to be mentored one-on-one by USC faculty, introduces students early in their academic careers to the process of serious scholarly inquiry, and fosters valuable relationships between students and faculty. Applications open Thursday, December 4, 2025 and are due Thursday, January 8, 2026. Apply here ➤

    Gilman Program
    The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. Applications open mid-January and are due Thursday, March 5, 2026. Apply here ➤

  • Are seniors eligible to apply?
    Yes, seniors who are registered for courses in Spring 2026 are eligible to apply.

    Is the program open to all majors?
    Yes, the program is open to undergraduate students across all majors and schools.

    What are examples of previous student research projects?
    See examples of previous student research projects here ➤

    When will applicants be notified on their application decision?
    Applicants will be notified of program decisions on Monday, November 24, 2025.

    Will there be a waitlist?
    Yes, there will be a program waitlist of about 5-10 students. Students on the waitlist will also be notified on Monday, November 24, 2025.

    When are program costs due?
    Student accounts will be billed at the beginning of April 2026.
    Please note that students who withdraw from the program after the commitment deadline (December 1, 2025) will be responsible for a withdrawal fee ranging from $500-$2000 depending on the date of withdrawal.

    If you have any additional questions, please email easc@usc.edu. 

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