Several classes at GTS incorporate one-day field trips as an integral part of course work. Depending on the course and the subject of study, these trips are scheduled on regular class days or on weekends.

Students visited the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) in Nihonbashi with Prof. Prajakta Khare, as a part of the Introduction to Economics course.

Highlights
The group first spent some time learning about the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), history of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, types of securities and other financial instruments like derivatives.
They then proceeded to the Market Center and observed the ticker changing speed as trading increased. Students were surprised by the quiet atmosphere at TSE Arrows, where they expected the noise and chaos of a traditional trading floor. It was exciting to see real time stock prices changing on the big screen. Additionally, they learnt about various stock indices like the Nikkei 225, TOPIX and the actual volume traded on the exchange.
Students were especially intrigued by the East entrance of the TSE that features some symbolic lucky objects. These include a floor tile that has the 12 Chinese zodiac signs with the dragon facing the exchange. This is believed to bring good fortune to the institution.
Finally, all students played a stock investment game that taught them to analyze the impact of real-world events like inflation, interest rate hikes, tariffs, or political upheavals on stock prices and investment decisions.

Comments from students
“Watching the stock prices update in real time at the Market Center was honestly fascinating and made me realize just how active and high-energy the financial world is. The Stock Trading Experience Corner was particularly memorable. Using an imaginary budget to trade fictional stocks allowed me to test concepts from class in a practical and enjoyable way.” (GTS, 4th year student)

“One section of the TSE that left lasting impression on me was the historical bond exhibit. This area exhibited a variety of bonds from different periods, including war bonds issued during World War II. I learned that these bonds were a way for the government to raise funds for the war effort by borrowing money from citizens. Before this visit, I had never considered how financial tools like bonds could play such a significant role in major historical events.” (GTS, 4th year student)
“I often watch the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) on TV, and my impression was that many people move around actively in response to stock market changes. However, when I visited, there were very few people. Most stock trading is now conducted online, reducing the need for workers to be physically present. Since the TSE operates as a central hub for stock trading, it no longer requires large numbers of people on the floor. To be honest, I felt a bit disappointed because I had expected to see a bustling trading floor with many workers”. (GTS, 1st year student)

The group first spent some time learning about the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), history of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, types of securities and other financial instruments like derivatives.
They then proceeded to the Market Center and observed the ticker changing speed as trading increased. Students were surprised by the quiet atmosphere at TSE Arrows, where they expected the noise and chaos of a traditional trading floor. It was exciting to see real time stock prices changing on the big screen. Additionally, they learnt about various stock indices like the Nikkei 225, TOPIX and the actual volume traded on the exchange.
Students were especially intrigued by the East entrance of the TSE that features some symbolic lucky objects. These include a floor tile that has the 12 Chinese zodiac signs with the dragon facing the exchange. This is believed to bring good fortune to the institution.
Finally, all students played a stock investment game that taught them to analyze the impact of real-world events like inflation, interest rate hikes, tariffs, or political upheavals on stock prices and investment decisions.

In the Research Seminar, third year students begin to prepare their fourth year Graduation Projects. Students who sign up for Prof. Vesey’s section are generally interested in researching cultural and social issues. Prof. Vesey gives these students some field work experience by taking them on surveys of Enoshima, an island famous as a worship site for Benzaiten, a deity of culture. The students receive questions about the impact of globalization and tourism on Japanese religious sites, and during their time on Enoshima, they survey topics such as the level of multilingual tourist information, the kinds of shops along the main approach to the island’s shrines, and the contents of websites that promote Enoshima. Once they return to classroom, students draw upon their findings to support their responses to the initial research questions.