Engaging with Okinawa: Independent Project in the Creative Arts

Program title: Engaging with Okinawa: Independent Project in the Creative Arts

Program location: Naha, Okinawa Japan

Program overview:

Designed for undergraduate and Honours students in Digital Media, this program seeks to increase young artists’ knowledge of Indo-Pacific culture by making it possible for them to immerse themselves for a semester in Okinawa’s diverse artistic heritage and living culture. Students work will be exhibited in a suitable public venue in Adelaide and in Naha. Two New Colombo Plan Mobility Grants in the amount of A$7,000 each are available to eligible student applicants..

Program dates: 25 March – 26 June 2020 (13 weeks)

Places available: 2 undergraduate and/or honours students

Open To:

2^nd or 3^rd year students in BCA Visual Effects and Entertainment Design
2^nd or 3^rd year students in BCA Digital Media
Honours students in Visual Effects and Entertainment Design
Honours students in Digital Media

Application deadline: Friday 29 November 2019

Eligibility: Applicants must

be Australian citizens; and
be enrolled in an Australian Univeristy at the time of application and throughout the study overseas program; and
be undertaking a bachelor's degree level program (pass or honours) at the commencement of the program;
have successfully completed at least 36 units of the undergraduate course with a GPA of at least 4.5 or 18 units of the undergraduate course with a GPA of at least 5.0 at the commencement of overseas study; and
be between 18 and 28 years of age or over 28 on a case by case basis at the commencement of the overseas study (does not apply to Indigenous students) ; and
be nominated into and have confirmed their participation the relevant New Colombo Plan mobility program and;
have their overseas study count as credit or be a mandatory part of their course of study at Flinders University; and
not be in receipt of any other Flinders University administered award which provides travel assistance.
have a space in a study plan for 13.5 units for the program

Credit: Students may receive 13.5 credits towards their Flinders BCA or honours degree. The specific topics will be determined in accordance with successful applicants’ study plans.

Cost estimates:

Return airfare between Adelaide and Naha: approx. A$1,200
Accommodation in Naha (shared housing): approx. A$800-900 a month
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: approx. A$500 a month
Communication: Japanese SIM (incl. voice and data costs for 3 months): approx. A$250
Local transportation (monorail and bus): approx. A$100 a month

Additional costs, such as passport, visa, vaccination, inter-island transport, international phone calls, and personal expenses, are not included in the costs above.

How to apply:

Please submit the application package described below via e-mail directly to both by Friday 29 November:

Maggie Ivanova (maggie.ivanova@flinders.edu.au) and
Katie Cavanagh (katie.cavanagh@flinders.edu.au).
Email subject line: “Okinawa NCP Application"

A complete application package must include:

A copy of student transcript, showing GPA (an unofficial copy is acceptable, access via Student System
An up-to-date CV
A portfolio of five pieces of work (PDF)
A personal statement describing why the student wishes to participate in the program and a short description of the type of project a student is interested in pursuing (e.g., 2D, 3D, VR): min 600 – max 800 words

Please refer to the “Useful Information” section below and explore the links it includes before finalising your personal statement. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview the week of 2 December 2019.

Further information:

Students will have the opportunity to acquire basic Japanese language skills by participating in a structured language program for overseas students. They will engage with contemporary intercultural expression by researching, devising and fleshing out an approved independent project; collect research material through field trips on the archipelago; develop personal and professional networks with Okinawan artists and Creative Arts peers from the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts which provides foundation for further creative work, independent or collaborative.

A semester (13 weeks) in Okinawa will assist undergraduate students in both building practice-led research skills and generating ideas for an Honours project. It will provide opportunities to Honours students to undertake innovative, intercultural creative work that would contribute to building an attractive portfolio and making a transition to artistic practice after graduation.

Useful links:

Need help?

If you require further information or assistance with your application for outbound student exchange or short-term study abroad programs, please don't hesitate to contact our support team.

global.experience@flinders.edu.au

+61 884 324 321

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