Asian Studies Study Abroad Programs in Japan

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.

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend my fall semester studying in Tokyo with Middlebury College. Since I tested into the J5 level Japanese language class, I had the opportunity to take two classes with local students taught entirely in Japanese, challenging myself to not only comprehend lectures at a high language level but also communicate with my peers at a college level. Even though the campus was an hour away from Tokyo's center, the convenient public transportation made it very easy to go out into the city with friends. We even made outside of the prefecture to Saitama, Osaka, Tottori and more on breaks and weekends, exploring Japan while we could. I found that, through this program, we had a lot of space to immerse ourselves in Japan's vibrant and diverse culture and become a part of the city ourselves. Additionally, the program put an emphasis on sustainable development, which taught me how to be more environmentally aware and live sustainably. This instilled positive habits into my lifestyle, which I find myself still enforcing today even though I have returned to my home country. Overall, Middlebury's program gave me an amazing space to advance my Japanese language skills while exploring Tokyo as a city.

Visiting Japan has always been at the top of my travel destinations. Traveling with the Bethel Global Studies group was the easy button. Each day was packed with just enough events to be fully immersed with this magical and enchanting culture. Can’t wait to see what future trips we will be going on with this great group of people!

I really enjoyed this trip. It was fun, exciting, and gave me an opportunity I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. This program gives students, and proves to students that anything is possible. It made me realize my dreams aren’t just dreams and than I’m capable. The leaders are willing to make it possible and work with you.

Japan is a beautiful country, and I enjoyed seeing places like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The hotels were comfortable, and many of the destinations we visited were memorable and worth seeing. However, one of my biggest frustrations was the amount of time spent on the bus. At times, it felt like we spent more time traveling between locations than actually experiencing them. There were days when we would travel for hours only to spend 20–30 minutes at a destination before getting back on the bus and moving on to the next stop. While I understand that seeing multiple cities requires travel, the pace often felt rushed and left little time to truly enjoy or explore many of the places we visited. I would have preferred fewer stops with more time to experience each destination, interact with the local culture, and enjoy Japan at a slower pace. I also felt that communication leading up to the trip could have been improved. There was limited information provided before departure, which left me unsure of what to expect. Even something as simple as a text message the night before our flight to Japan with final reminders, meeting information, and travel expectations would have been extremely helpful. Additionally, I felt there was a lack of guidance while navigating the airports in Japan. As a first-time international traveler, I expected more direction from the trip leader, but instead I often felt like I was navigating the airports and travel process on my own. Having clearer instructions and more active guidance would have made the experience much less stressful. Looking back, I think my biggest disappointment is that I left feeling like I didn't truly get to experience Japan the way I had hoped. The country itself was incredible, but the pace of the trip and the amount of structured travel left me wishing I had planned the trip independently. I believe I would have enjoyed spending more time in fewer locations, exploring at my own pace, and having the flexibility to create my own experience. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Japan and make memories, but I left feeling that the trip was not the right fit for the type of travel experience I was looking for.

I genuinely had the time of my life!! We truly got lucky with Shirley (tour guide) and such great weather… I can’t believe I actually got to physically see Mt. Fuji with my own eyes! However, my only critique would be the amount of time we spent at places. For instance, we spent more time on the bus some days than actually getting to experience Japan. It sucks when we spend 2+ hours on a bus to get only 30 minutes to look around each destination. I do understand how stuff like this does happen while traveling with traffic etc etc. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to see and learn so much about Japan. I made amazing memories, met wonderful people, and would absolutely recommend this program to anyone considering traveling or studying abroad!!

Every time I travel with this group I become more confident to step outside my comfort zone and see each place from a different perspective. I’ve traveled to 6 countries across 4 continents now and I’m always amazed at what I discover. Spending the last week in Japan has opened my eyes to both the history of the country and the changes to modern day. Each stop gave me a better understanding as well as an experience to mark share and always remember. I definitely plan to return.

Well organized and informative. Enjoyed it all. Food culture everyone was so nice. Our group leader was a wealth of knowledge. This was the best trip. A trip of a lifetime. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to explore other countries.

When I was back home in America, I often found myself not wanting much. Although I would make plans and set goals that had some ambition behind them, I never really cared where I was or where I would eventually end up. I moved through life almost on autopilot, always looking beyond the horizon but never taking the steps to go past the ends of my own irises. Things felt distant, and while I wasn’t unhappy, I wasn’t truly engaged either. When I finally arrived in Japan, the first day was a little rough. The travel was exhausting, and everything felt unfamiliar. But after arriving at the hotel and taking a long nap, something changed. I woke up early the next morning, which was unusual for me, and I continued waking up early for the rest of the trip. It almost felt like a sign that something inside me had shifted. Throughout the trip, I took buses, trains, and walked more than I ever expected. We visited shrines, cities, and places filled with people. Sometimes I would notice how crowded everything was and think about how annoying it should have been, yet I never felt negative about it. Instead, I felt present. I felt happy. For most of my life, I’ve placed limits on my own enjoyment. I don’t know exactly why. Maybe part of me was afraid of becoming too invested and experiencing disappointment later. Whatever the reason, those limits seemed to disappear during this trip. This experience changed me, even if only for a short time. I believe that those 10 days compared to the 16 years compared to the even longer after, were of much more value.

I adored this trip and this program! It was so fun to be able to see the world and make a dream that I assumed wouldn’t happen until I was out of college, happen in my young adult years! Something this big didn’t seem possible for me, nor did I even consider it until the opportunity was laid before me. I’m so grateful for the program and staff for their support and flexibility, and I would love to have this opportunity again!

This program was spectacular; every aspect was flawless and unforgettable. The program itself was life changing. The opportunities to explore the country through weekends and field trips were splendid and the classes were interesting and fun.

Studying abroad in Japan through USAC was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. Before going, I was excited but also nervous about the language barrier and whether I’d feel out of place, but USAC made the transition way smoother than I expected. From orientation to day-to-day support, it felt like there was always someone I could reach out to if I needed help.

The ability of this program to provide freedom and independence in exploring Japan while still providing opportunities to learn and interact with the culture. The classes offered range in a variety of subjects and really allow you to learn what you want.

Studying abroad in Tokyo with API was one of the most intellectually and personally enriching experiences of my undergraduate journey. As a triple major in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Business Administration, I was eager to explore how technology intersects with culture—and Tokyo offered the perfect environment. From navigating bustling Shibuya crossings to engaging deeply with local life, every day deepened my understanding of global innovation. What surprised me most was how seamlessly I could integrate into daily routines: ordering coffee in Japanese, exploring quiet neighborhoods like Yanaka, and reflecting on how cultural context shapes everything from design to communication. The academic rigor matched my home institution, but the cultural immersion pushed me beyond textbooks. API’s on-site support made logistics effortless—from housing near campus to organized excursions to Kyoto and Hakone. Most importantly, living in Tokyo challenged my assumptions and sharpened my intercultural fluency, which now directly informs my work in equitable AI design. If you’re considering study abroad, choose a place that stretches your worldview. For me, that place was Tokyo—and API made it possible.