DUE TO THE PANDEMIC WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OFFER THIS PROGRAM FOR 2022
Study Abroad in Japan
Japan is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,873 square kilometers, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined or slightly smaller than California. Japan consists of four major islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands.
Japan’s topographical features include coastlines with varied scenery, towering mountains, which are very often volcanic and twisted valleys that invite visitors into the mysterious world of nature.
Japan’s population is over 126 million. Most Japanese reside in densely populated urban areas. Japan’s capital city is Tokyo.
*Information sourced from Japan: The Official Guide

*Video courtesy of Japan Tourism
Program Details
- Age Requirements:
Must be between the ages of 15 and 18 - Appearance requirements: Schools in Japan do not permit any kind of tattoos, or any body piercings (even earrings) are not permitted.
- Language requirements: Students need to have a basic knowledge of Japanese, i.e. conversational skills.
- Fully Vetted Japanese Host Families:
Our host families live all over Japan and are looking forward to welcoming you into their home and showing you their everyday life. The typical Japanese family is fairly small, with one or two adults and children, but they all look different. What they have in common is that they are all friendly and have a genuine interest in cultural exchange. - By staying with a Japanese host family, you will gain a true insight into the culture and everyday life in Japan. You will get the chance to know a caring family as well as to practice your language skills everyday. It is the ultimate way to get a close insight into the Japanese society.
Dates
- Academic Year: September
- Fall Semester: September
Soft Landing Camp: - Spring Semester: April
- Fall Application Deadline: April 1st
- Spring Application Deadline: October 1st
Program Costs
-
- Academic Year – $9,080
- Semester – $8,400
Required International Health/Liability Insurance:
- Academic Year – $900/plus NH Insurance cost TBD
- Semester – $450/plus NH Insurance cost TBD
$1700 deposit due with application
Optional additions:
– Soft Landing Camp in Miura City, Kanagawa – $560**Prices are subject to change**
Program Includes
Public or private high school acceptance
Volunteer host family placement
Visa support documents
Pre-departure orientation
Arrival orientation in Tokyo
Monitoring and supervision by local partner while in Japan
24-hour emergency support
Program Does Not Include
International airfare
Domestic transportation within Japan
School textbooks, school lunches, school uniforms
Extracurricular expenses for clubs, sports, etc.
Passport/visa/resident card fees
Personal spending money
High School System
Students who have completed lower secondary school, at about age sixteen, may choose to apply to upper secondary school. There are three types of upper secondary schools in Japan: senior high schools, colleges of technology, and special training colleges.
Senior high schools provide general, specialized and integrated courses. General courses are intended for students who hope to attend university, or for students who wish to seek employment after high school but have no particular vocational preference. Specialized courses are for students who have selected a particular vocational area of interest. Integrated courses allow a student to choose electives from both the general and specialized tracks.
Colleges of technology (Kosen colleges) typically offer a five-year program in different occupational areas. Students can also choose to complete upper secondary vocational education after three years and go directly to the workplace. Upon graduation, a student who completes five years of technology college is considered an “associate” in his or her field. Special training colleges offer vocational and technical education in a variety of degree programs, typically through the bachelor’s or master’s level.
Senior high school classes typically start around 8:30am and finish around 3pm. However, most students stay at school to take part in club activities or go to cram school. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), in conjunction with university professors and the Central Council for Education, establishes broad guidelines for the content of each school subject. This means that students do not typically decide on which courses they can take and have few electives in high school.
*Information from Center on International Education Benchmarking