International Relations Study Abroad Programs in Asia

Thanks to World Campus International, I was able to experience various rather unique experiences in Japan - things that a normal tourist would never be able to experience. In Isa, Kumamoto and Uda, there wasn't a single day that wasn't full of interesting stuff. While for some the rather packed schedule might be a minus, I for one really liked it, since the activities showed you things you'd normally never be able to participate in, such as (just some examples): going to a local farm and planting rice, being part of an actual Shinto ceremony, going to various schools, and of course the best part: doing stuff with your host families. The host family aspect alone elevates this project to a perfect score for me. It is a really unique experience to fully immerse yourself in normal local life, and interact with locals. The people I lived with, I am eternally grateful to, and my time with them I'll forever hold close to my heart. The other participants along with the staff where also very pleasant to be around, and in the staff's case also very helpful and kind. My time spend in those 3 locations will forever stay with me as an unforgettable experience. If I could, I'd do it all over again without hesitation. I am extremely grateful that I was able to partake in this program.

My time at Sogang University through WorldStrides was the most impactful, life-changing, and rewarding experience I have ever had. Beyond my incredible course studying K-Pop, Hallyu, and the way it has spread across the globe, I found so much joy going and experiencing everyday life in Korea. From the beautiful temples to practicing my Korean with locals, I cherished every moment I had during my time there. I was always taken care of, supported, and felt like I was truly cared for by the on-site team, from airport pickup to organized activities (including a super fun excursion to Nami Island!). I would do anything to go back again and re-experience the entire thing!

This was one of the best experiences of my life. I spent a month in Seoul and took classes at Hanyang University. I felt very immersed in the culture and made so many new friends from all over the world. I took a Korean traditional fan dancing class while I was there, and it was so much fun to learn and perform at the graduation ceremony. We also got to go to Jeju Island during the trip, which was so amazing. It was really interesting to see an island filled with so much history.

My experience in Seoul was amazing, I had so much fun exploring and with my fellow WorldStrides attendees. Together we explored different parts of Seoul, tried new foods, experienced Korean culture and got to experience what daily life is like in South Korea. Being able to learn both inside and outside the classroom made an experience even more meaningful for me. One of the most memorable parts of my trip was exploring Seoul on my own. I spent an entire day navigating the city by myself, using the subway system, ordering meals in Korean, asking for directions, and visiting places I had previously only seen on social media. The WorldStrides team also made the experience much easier and less overwhelming. They provided clear instructions, answered my questions, and were always there when I needed support. Knowing that I had people I could turn to allowed me to focus less on the logistics and more on enjoying Seoul, learning about Korean culture, and making the most of my experience.

I’m very grateful to Ashoka University for giving me the opportunity to attend the HEC Paris Summer School. Being nominated for the program and spending two weeks at HEC was a wonderful learning experience, both academically and personally. The program gave me the chance to explore my interest in finance in a new setting, while living in Paris and meeting students from different backgrounds made the experience even more special. I truly appreciate the Office of Global Education for making this possible and for encouraging students to take up opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

I studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea at Sogang University through WorldStrides!! I had the most incredible, unforgettable experience studying Korean music globalization, exploring the country, and immersing myself completely in the culture. Thanks to Sogang and to WorldStrides, I was taken care of every single step of the way and had an experience I’ll miss every single day!

Hi, I am Sterre. This review comes rather late, but after returning to Japan two years later, I felt it was still worth writing. I went to Japan with World Campus in Session 3 of 2024. During those three weeks, I stayed in Abiko, Mito and Tama. The actual World Campus programme included a wide range of activities: tours, museums, school visits, company visits, workshops such as karate and kendo, and all kinds of interactions, activities and games with local communities, students, clubs and host families. At the end of every week there was an Arigatoo event. In my case, this involved eating a lot of good food, talking to everyone and anyone, and dancing the Kabouter Plop dance. The Arigatoo event can be scary or a bit daunting at first, but I enjoyed them very much. One thing worth knowing is that WorldCampus is not a typical travel organisation. You follow a structured programme, so there isn't a lot of free time for sightseeing. For me, this wasn't a bad thing, as I got to experience Japan in ways I probably wouldn't have as a regular tourist. My fondest memories are connected to the people I spent my time with. One of the biggest values of World Campus, in my opinion, is that it connects people from all over the world. On the one hand, you spend three weeks travelling with people from different countries. Some of these people have become good friends, and even after two years we still meet up in different countries whenever we happen to be in the same place. On the other hand, you get to spend time with host families. For me, these families have become my people in Japan: people I could reach out to when I was there. And that is something I appreciated even more after returning to Japan two years later. In the two years between my World Campus trip and my return to Japan, we didn't stay in constant contact, but the connection was never completely gone either. I sent a letter to my host families after about a year, and with one family in particular, I also stayed in touch through occasional messages. Then, when I came back to Japan for a five-month exchange, I made sure to visit all three host families I had met through World Campus. Just like two years ago, I was invited to stay with them, and we went to different places, had barbecues and dinners, visited museums, and simply spent time together. One family in particular, the family that lived closest to where I was staying during my exchange, has come to feel like much more than just a host family. They are people I can reach out to when something happens, people I can visit when I'm in Japan, and people I would also do a lot for. That, to me, is what made World Campus so special. I didn't just get three weeks of experiences in Japan. I made connections that lasted beyond those three weeks. I had a blast with World Campus. I would have loved to go again, maybe even for all 3 sessions at once, but unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow it in the near future. Even so, I am very happy that I was able to spend at least one session with World Campus. Two years later, I can honestly say that I am still grateful I went.

This year I participated in the Osaka World Class program and I loved it! I experience many exciting activities with much to see and do. From sight seeing to eating delicious food, all of it was great. Hiroshima was one of my all time favorite places that we went to by far, it was a long day of traveling, but 100% worth it. I specifically remember the Hiroshima peace memorial, while it was a solemn memorial they still had a beautiful tribute to the lives lost. Informing others on how big this impacted their community and how they moved on from this. This program allowed the opportunity to immerse myself in an atmosphere where I can learn and understand the Japanese culture.

Two of my daughters went to the 2026 Osaka World Class program. They absolutely loved it! From exploring Japanese temples, to visiting historical sites, learning Japanese language and cuisine, to shopping, they enjoyed every day to the fullest.

Oh my gosh, where do I even start with this program? It was absolutely, positively, mind-blowingly amazing! Seriously, I can’t even begin to express how incredible it was. From the very first day, I was in love with World Class Programs. The energy, the staff, the excitement, the sheer awesomeness of it all was just overwhelming in the best way possible. First off, the people and teachers at World Class Programs were just the best. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and it felt like I was part of a big, happy family right from the start. The instructors were super knowledgeable and passionate about what they were teaching, and it was so inspiring to see how much they cared about helping us succeed. They continuously went above and beyond to make sure we understood everything and were always there to answer any questions we had, no matter how silly they might have seemed. And the activities! Oh my goodness, the activities were just out of this world. We got to do so many cool things that I never even thought I’d get the chance to try. There were trips to places like Kyoto, Nara (to see the deer!!!), Himeji, Hiroshima (on the peace day festival) and Tokyo! We also played group games, and even some fun, unexpected surprises that kept us on our toes and made every day an adventure (don’t even ask me about the “karaoke” experience! Haha). I learned so much and had a blast doing it. It was, seriously, like being in a dream. But it wasn’t just the people and activities that made this program so amazing. It was also the environment. Japan. Oh Japan. Japan was just beautiful, with stunning views and a vibe that was both really chill and relaxing, and also energizing at the same time. It was the perfect setting for us to focus, learn, and grow, and I felt so lucky to be there. Every morning, I would wake up excited to see what the day had in store, and every night, I would go to bed feeling grateful for the incredible experiences I had. I also have to mention how much I learned. This program was not just fun and games; it was also incredibly educational. I took the Japanese history course for my major and Photography for my minor. I gained so much knowledge and skills that I know will be super valuable in the future. The way the information was presented was so engaging and easy to understand, and I felt like I was really absorbing everything. Being able to EXPERIENCE things rather than just talk about them was great. It was like my brain was a sponge, soaking up all the amazing stuff being thrown at it. And let’s not forget about the friendships I made. I met so many awesome people who I will never forget. We had so much fun together, whether we were playing “taco cat goat cheese pizza”, hanging out during breaks, watching movies, or just chatting about life. Even though we all just met, It was like we had known each other forever, and I felt so lucky to have them in my life. We even planned to stay in touch after the program ended, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us. In conclusion, this program was just the best experience of my life. It was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I learned so much, met so many amazing people, and had the time of my life. I will always look back on this program with fond memories and a heart full of gratitude. It was truly an incredible experience, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. Thank you World Class Programs!!!

As a study abroad student in Japan, I am having so much fun! And I highly recommend this to others who might be interested in this! There are tons of fun and interesting adventures!! And the teachers are the BEST!! I’m currently in Japan and I leave tomorrow! I am excited to see my family, but also I genuinely don’t wanna leave Japan. I feel like I could stay here another week!

Let me tell you, World Class Programs is the way to go, especially the Japan program. If you’re wanting to experience a fun and exciting adventure that broadens your worldview, this is it. Throughout the three weeks, they not only made me feel safe and supported, but also like family. The staff were also super nice and helped you keep on going even when you were tired. We were all in it together! The activities were also all immersive and varied, so you get a good mix of history, culture, and souvenirs to bring home! If your a history buff, you’ll be especially happy!This is a program that everyone, atleast once in their life, needs to experience!

I went on a 3 week study abroad trip to Japan in 2026 and I had sososo much fun! I was nervous about traveling alone but all the staff were friendly and experienced in travel, so they took all the stress away. The whole trip all the staff were extremely kind, fun and understanding. They always accommodated everyone’s needs. I had lots of fun doing the classes and genuinely learned so much more than I knew before this trip. I felt like I was learning even outside of class in the funnest way possible, I feel like I might even be able to navigate a train station by myself! I really enjoyed free time and I bought so much stuff. I loved going to the malls and animate, my clothing and figure collection has grown substantially. This trip was genuinely a once in a lifetime experience and I had worlds of fun. My only con is that I wish we could have our own rooms the whole time, mostly because I’m a big introvert and I just enjoy having my own space!! Everyone on the program and not was so friendly and Japan is a great place to visit, especially with world class programs!!

This trip was a rich experience that helped me learn about the local life as well as enjoy the simple and fun experiences in Japan. From the quiet shops to the towering skyscrapers, every day was a new adventure. The nature in Nara, tech in Tokyo, and the cuisine in Osaka all stole my breath. It was an amazing trip and couldn’t recommend it enough. Not only that, but it teaches kids social skills and cues. Going to a different country will teach far more than we know.

Ashoka University has been an amazing place to learn and grow. As an International Relations student, I enjoyed interesting classes, learned from inspiring professors, and met people from different backgrounds. The experiences, friendships, and opportunities I found here have helped me grow both personally and academically, and I will always value my time at Ashoka.

Ashoka University has been an amazing place to learn and grow. As an International Relations student, I enjoyed interesting classes, learned from inspiring professors, and met people from different backgrounds. The experiences, friendships, and opportunities I found here have helped me grow both personally and academically, and I will always value my time at Ashoka.

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

Spending a week in Isa City with World Campus International was one of the most memorable parts of my time in Japan. Staying with a local host family gave me the opportunity to experience Japanese culture in a way that simply wouldn't have been possible as a tourist. From sharing meals together to learning about everyday life, every moment felt authentic and meaningful. Each day brought a new experience, whether it was planting rice, visiting local schools and meeting students, exploring historic shrines, learning about traditional wine-making, or taking part in community activities. Every experience helped me better understand the culture while creating memories I'll never forget. The food was incredible, the people were unbelievably welcoming, and the unique experiences were amazing. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for an immersive, hands-on cultural experience that they'll remember for years to come.

My time at Ashoka University exposed me to diverse perspectives and broadened the way I think. The flexibility to choose courses across disciplines, combined with exceptional faculty, encouraged me to explore interests beyond my primary field of study and develop a wide range of skills. Beyond academics, campus life is vibrant and engaging. The student body and administration organize events almost every weekend, creating a lively and welcoming community. The campus also places a strong emphasis on safety, ensuring a secure environment for students. I would highly recommend Ashoka University to anyone looking for a world-class academic experience while immersing themselves in a vibrant and unique cultural environment.

Ashoka University has provided me with a stimulating academic environment and valuable learning opportunities. I appreciate the diverse community, diverse choice of courses and faculties available and the opportunity to participate in an international exchange programme. Overall, it has been a meaningful experience.