If you’re going all the way to Japan, you want to spend your time on what you really want to do, right? Do you want to master the Japanese language? Do you want to dive deep into cultural fields like anime or martial arts? Or do you want to live the real life of a Japanese high school student?
When your goal is clear, your study abroad experience becomes infinitely more meaningful. Let’s look at three program styles based on different objectives.
① Language Immersion Programs
These programs prioritize improving your Japanese ability above all else. You’ll spend your days immersed in the language, with grammar and kanji lessons in the morning and practical conversation practice in the afternoon. It’s also a great chance to study hard alongside peers from all over the world who share the same goal.
- Best for: Students who want to become fluent in Japanese, or those considering attending a Japanese university in the future.
② Cultural Experience Programs
These programs focus on deeply experiencing Japanese culture through a specific theme, such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, martial arts, anime creation, or traditional crafts. They often provide valuable opportunities to learn directly from masters in their fields. Basic Japanese lessons are, of course, also included.
- Best for: Students with a strong interest in a specific aspect of Japanese culture, or those who prefer hands-on learning over classroom lectures.
③ Direct High School Enrollment Programs
In this style, you’ll sit alongside Japanese high school students and take all the same classes, from math and history to P.E. You’ll also fully participate in all school events like the culture festival, sports festival, and school trips. You can experience modern Japan from the inside and dramatically improve your communication skills.
- Best for: Students who want to experience authentic Japanese high school life (your “seishun”!) and make lots of local friends.
Have you figured out the direction you want to go? Once you’ve decided on the duration and your purpose, it’s finally time to find a partner (a program provider) who can make that dream come true!
[→ Go to the next page: “Introduction to Program Providers“]