Meiji Academy - Summer Course in Hokkaido

My summer was stunning and full of fun memories. First time Japan first time Hokkaido. The best choice I could have made. Classes were interactive and the instructors very patient. I loved the cultural activities and made a lot of new friends in the two months I was there. Highly recommend!!

Zapisałem się na letni kurs w Meiji Academy z myślą o przełamaniu bariery mówienia. Zajęcia są intensywne i dobrze ułożone, dużo konwersacji i praktycznych ćwiczeń, a grupy są małe, więc każdy dostaje uwagę lektora. Nauczyciele są cierpliwi i wymagający w pozytywny sposób, regularnie poprawiają wymowę i dają konkretne wskazówki do nauki własnej. Po lekcjach szkoła organizuje spotkania i wyjścia, dzięki którym poznajesz miasto i używasz japońskiego w realnych sytuacjach. Po czterech tygodniach mówiłem swobodniej, rozumiałem więcej i miałem motywację, aby kontynuować naukę.

Studijavau tris savaites su Meiji Academy Hokaide ir tai buvo nuostabi patirtis. Mokytojai labai draugiški, pamokos įdomios, o laisvalaikiu ragavau Sapporo rameną ir soup curry, maudžiausi onsenuose ir aplankiau Otaru kanalą.

I had a very rewarding and enjoyable time that I can happily look back to. All the staff at Meiji were very engaging and always ready to help with any problems I had. The Japanese classes were sometimes intense but the instructors didn't fail to help out when I was struggling. I feel that my Japanese has significantly improved. The activities and social events were the best part! I loved the exchange events with local Japanese high school students and also visits we had to Hokkaido University. The school is partnering with local university student circles and other study abroad agencies, which bring the local Japanese to Meiji's events. Just be warned that some extracurricular events outside of the traditional culture courses are in cooperation with these circles. So be prepared that Japanese students can be plenty at some events which is fun but also tiring. My conclusion is that it really paid off and Hokkaido was just the best match for me.

From the moment I stepped out of the plane to the time it was to say goodbye. I fully enjoyed every moment of my time in Hokkaido. Meiji played a big part in making this experience unforgettable. The classes were well structured and customized to meet the study needs of Western students. A lot of importance was placed on the speaking practice, grammar studies and reading comprehension. Events were also abundant and I’ve met a lot of new friends. My time with my Japanese history family felt very comfortable and I appreciated them taking me around all the time. I hope to be back one day…thank you for all the memories and friends I made.

Had an amazing time with Meiji in Hokkaido. Everybody was friendly, accommodating and also eager to help. Most of the instructors were very experienced with a lot of younger teachers in their late twenties. Activities were engaging and always focused on cultural immersion and community vibes. Highly recommend.

Right from the start I felt like being at home. Super cozy environment with students from more than 15 countries (that's about what I counted). Each of my five classmates was from another country, mostly Europeans with one Korean girl. The atmosphere was very engaging and the teachers did their best to support us. The best thing about Meiji was the strong focus on communicative lessons paired with a lot of grammar drills we had. Sometimes I asked for homework and the teachers were happy to provide us but that's not the requirement. The activities and events outside of the classrooms were also plenty with a lot of cultural engagements and exchange events with local Japanese students. I loved it and it was much fun. Can't say anything else then you should also try it. Thanks to all the amazing people I met and hope to see you again.

I had much fun in Hokkaido with this lovely bunch of people and a school that centers literally everything around community and activities. Not to forget the Japanese studies are truly high quality. I stayed in the private apartment but heard only good things about all the sharehouses they had. Went there once for a birthday party and it was crazy fun. Can't recommend this school enough. Give it a try!

This was a rollercoaster I wouldn't want to miss. The program was well organized and our instructors went the extra mile to take good care of us. I loved the trips they organized for us and the classes were intense but fun. Highly recommend.

I don't where to start this but with just saying I had an amazing time. The classes were very good with a mix of intense grammar studies and interactive speaking practices. The kanji practices can get sometimes a bit hard but if you invest an extra hour studies you really get the most out of it. In terms of events and parties we had always something happening. I loved the international exchange parties and weekend trips they organized extra for our study group. Already missing my time there looking back how much fun it was...

Meiji did a great job and the month I've spent in Hokkaido passed by so so quick. I have made a lot of new Japanese friends, ate super oishii food and completely fell in love with Japan. And yes I learned some Japanese too😜 Will be back for my JET program in Hokkaido. Can't wait!!!

I signed up thinking I’d just pick up some polite phrases, maybe learn how to order sushi without embarrassing myself. Instead, I found myself knee-deep in kanji flashcards, role-playing in convenience stores, and debating Japanese tongue twisters with classmates. The lessons were challenging in the best way, our teachers had that perfect mix of patience and a knack for making grammar drills feel like games. The events were honestly the cherry on top. One day we were practicing tea ceremony etiquette, the next we were lost in the neon chaos of Susukino. There was even a trip to Asahiyama and Furano that hit me harder than I expected. Not just sightseeing, it was perspective-changing. Three months passed by so quick and looking back I think I found my new place to be. If you're looking for something more than a kanji drills and cram school teaching, then this is it.

I came to Hokkaido thinking without any proper idea how it would turn out. A fun Summer and cracking on for my first JLPT N5 in Winter, but Sapporo had other plans for me! Between morning classes where grammar suddenly made sense (sometimes less but the patient teachers helped a lot!) and afternoons wandering through Odori Park or stuffing myself with miso ramen, I felt like I was learning everywhere I went. The school kept things fun with cultural excursions, pottery workshops and a bunch of social gatherings with Japanese. Every day felt like a mix of studying, exploring, and laughing with new friends. Getting “lost” in the city actually turned into the best way to practice my Japanese. Wouldn’t change a thing and yes, Sapporo totally stole my heart. 💕

What I loved most about Meiji Hokkaido was how seamlessly the school blended lessons with life. You’d learn a new grammar structure in class, then find yourself using it an hour later chatting with a ramen shop owner who’s just as amused by your attempt as you are. It made the language real, sticky, and fun.

Meiji's summer course in Hokkaido exceeded my expectations by far. The classes were pretty much spot on. Small, interactive, and well-structured. Lessons could get quite intense sometimes, so I do recommend some studies after class, but my teachers were quite cooperative and slowed down when I requested it. Every lesson felt practical and engaging rather than just textbook drills. I could actually hold conversations that felt real. Hokkaido itself was stunning and Sapporo never gets boring any day of the week. Pub crawls at Tanukikoji or izakaya and Bar hoping in Susukino; there was always something happening. My eight weeks past by so quick. Would do it all over again, highly recommend.

I joined Meiji Academy’s 3-week summer course in Hokkaido this year, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable learning experiences I’ve had so far. For me being from a gender minority and using they/them pronouns, I am always making sure to pay attention on how people treat each other. I wasn’t sure what to expect, both in terms of living arrangements and the classes themselves, but the program delivered far more than I anticipated. The Japanese lessons were structured but not overwhelming. Classes were small enough that everyone could participate and had this personal touch I loved. My teacher was very interested in my background and the staff was very accommodating also helping me with some mental struggles I was facing due to having some panic attacks about the cultural differences with Japanese people in daily life. Nothing serious but the cultural clash being first time abroad especially as a non-binary person was sometimes a bit challenging. Still all my teachers and fellow students treated me with respect and were kind to me. I found it great that there is a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Sapporo that I discovered amidst my stay and I even got connected to fellow Japanese with similar mindsets. Besides that the teachings at school were good. A well balance of grammar drills with practical conversations. We covered a lot in three weeks, and I could feel myself improving day by day. What I appreciated most was how approachable the lessons felt it didn’t matter if you weren’t a complete beginner or if you had already studied before, the teachers adapted to where you were. Living in a mixed sharehouse was an experience of its own. It was social without being chaotic but some people from certain countries were quite messy in the kitchen. Still hanging out with other Meiji students and Japanese university students in the evenings and going out was a lot of fun. It gave me a chance to practice Japanese informally and learn about other cultures at the same time. The cultural activities were another highlight. Food tours, a karate class and even meditating in a real buddhist temple! Around Sapporo is always something to do. It never felt forced you could join in as much or as little as you wanted, but I joined most of them and I’m glad I did. They added real context to what we were learning. Overall, the balance between study and experience felt just right. It wasn’t a vacation, but it didn’t feel like grinding through school either. I’d definitely come back to Meiji and do it again, maybe for a longer stay next time. Three weeks went by faster than I expected. Au revoir Meiji♡

From the moment I arrived in Hokkaido, the energy at Meiji Academy was contagious. It wasn’t just the classes it was the community, the late-night chats in the sharehouse, exploring the city with new friends and those unexpected little adventures that made every day memorable. The cultural activities were fun, but honestly, the impromptu karaoke nights, street food runs and spontaneous weekend trips were the real highlights. I laughed, learned, and made friendships for life. I know this will last far beyond Japan, because I met somebody special on this journey...I’d do it all again in a heartbeat and yes, I'll be back soon!

Had an awesome time with Meiji. Classes were fun and the vibe with other students was brilliant. Loved getting a taste of Japanese culture while improving my Japanese for the upcoming JLPT this Winter. Definitely would do it again!

“Meiji summer course ticked all boxes and didn't have any bad surprises except of fun all the time! The classes were engaging, the teachers supportive, and I loved the small group setting. Living in Sapporo and experiencing the local Hokkaido culture was a completely different look on how the real Japan can be away from Tokyo or Osaka. An unforgettable summer for sure. Will be back soon. Cheers!

Couldn't go wrong with Japan, couldn't go wrong with Hokkaido?? Honestly I wasn't considering this destination but after rushing last minute for a program these guys had still a spot for me open. Initially I wanted to go to Fukuoka or Osaka but I'm glad I made this decision. The staff were helpful and always concerned about me. Sometimes a bit too much...lol I loved my classes and also hanging out with my classmates. The activities were a lot of fun and the weekends were always planned with sightseeing trips in the countryside. Can't recommend enough this program.