The Hiroshima and Peace Summer Study Program
Each summer, during the ten days that lead up to the annual commemoration of the August 6th, 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, 25 foreign students from over a dozen countries and 25 Japanese students gather together on the campus of Hiroshima City University (HCU) for an intensive course on the atomic bombings and related issues.
In addition to class lectures and activities, program highlights include:
- a visit to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, which has been studying the effects of radiation on the hibakusha (the survivors) since 1945
- a visit to the Peace Museum
- and attendance at the commemorative ceremony in Peace Park on the morning of August 6th.
However, the emotional center of the course is the opportunity to hear testimony from one of the hibakusha, when he or she tells of his or her experience on that day. This is always a moving and significant experience.
Since 2004, The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UH) has had the opportunity to send up to eight students to HCU to participate in this unique program. Home stays are usually provided for the UH students by HCU, which adds a strong cultural dimension to the program.
The Hiroshima and Peace Summer Study Program is offered by the UH Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution, specifically:
- Faculty facilitator - Brien Hallett (bhallett@hawaii.edu)
- Program coordinating - Darrell Kicker (kicker@hawaii.edu) of the Office of International Exchange
Applications are available from February each year and the cost is about $2,500 to $3,500 depending on air fares and what other travel a student might do before or after the course.
Upon acceptance into the program, students enroll in PACE-485, Topics, for the second Summer Session. This ensures that they receive UH credit for the course.
Don't miss out on the truly unique education opportunity.
