Study Abroad in Hokkaido, Japan

Study PCM 335W - Strategic Communication - in Japan

(January 2-18, 2027)

Join Prof. Wei Shi in Hokkaido, Japan. This 3-credit Winter course draws on Northern Japan’s distinctive cultural, environmental, and social context to explore how strategic communication can advance sustainability on both global and local scales. Students will visit the cities of Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate, as well as major tourism destinations such as Toyako and Niseko. Through case studies focused on biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism management, the course prepares students to become thoughtful, effective communicators and future leaders in sustainability-focused fields. The program also includes an optional 3-day excursion to Tokyo, providing additional insight into Japan’s dynamic urban environment and sustainability initiatives.

The cost of this 2-week program (tuition, housing, excursions, and insurance) is $3290. This cost does not include international airfare from/to the USA or meals. 

Program Dates:

• December 29th & 30th, 2026: Online class
• January 2nd, 2027: Flight to Japan
• January 18th, 2027: Flight to New York
• January 19th & 20th, 2027: Submit final project
   

Eligibility and information:

• For SUNY students in any major, but the course will be especially interesting for communication, journalism, culture, sustainability, environmental studies, business management, tourism, and related fields
• GPA Requirement: 2.50 or higher
• No previous knowledge of Japanese necessary
• Rolling admission until places are filled. Upon acceptance you will be asked for a $500 deposit to guarantee your place.
• PCM 335W satisfies a SUNY Writing-Intensive requirement.

Curriculum:

• Lectures on strategic communication strategies and business social impact
• Field visits to sustainability-focused organizations and natural sites in Hokkaido, such as Sapporo Ainu Culture Promotion Center, Niseko Town Hall & Sustainable Tourism Initiative, Hokkaido Brewery & Sapporo Beer Museum, Toyako Volcano Science Museum.
• Guest lectures by Hokkaido University and Otaru University of Commerce faculty or local experts
• Group projects involving the development of communication strategies addressing real-world sustainability issues

Program Features: this program represents a landmark opportunity for both Farmingdale State College and the broader State University of New York (SUNY) system:

• Farmingdale’s First Program in Japan: As the college’s first-ever study abroad experience in Japan, the program expands Farmingdale’s global reach and offers students meaningful academic engagement in one of the world’s most innovative and sustainability-focused countries.
• First SUNY Presence in Hokkaido: It will also be the first SUNY study abroad program hosted in Hokkaido, creating a new academic bridge between SUNY and northern Japan and laying the groundwork for future partnerships in the region. 
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Integrating communication theory, management practices, and real-world sustainability challenges, the program equips students with skills relevant to careers in communication, environmental advocacy, corporate social responsibility, business management, and public policy. 
• Global Competency: Participants will strengthen their intercultural communication abilities and gain insight into how sustainability is understood and practiced across cultural and organizational contexts, enhancing both their global perspective and professional readiness.

Faculty Bio: Prof. Wei Shi is an Associate Professor of Professional Communications at Farmingdale State College, SUNY. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from Rutgers University and an M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania. Her interdisciplinary research bridges communication, business management, and psychology, and her work has been published in leading journals including the Journal of Small Business Management, the Journal of Knowledge Management, the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, and the Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology. Prof. Shi’s teaching portfolio reflects the breadth of her expertise, spanning communication theory, organizational behavior, psychological processes in workplace communication, and strategic decision-making in business contexts. She is committed to connecting theory with practice, preparing students to become effective communicators and leaders in diverse professional settings. Fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese, she brings a global and culturally informed perspective to her courses and is well positioned to guide students through immersive, internationally focused learning experiences.