Summer Business Study Abroad Programs in Japan

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.

I did a short term course for 3 weeks and loved every minute. The lessons were clear and structured, with lots of conversation so you pick up real life Japanese quickly. I stayed in one of their female sharehouses arranged by the school, which was clean and in a good location. The events were a highlight, especially the language exchange and karaoke nights. At the end I felt confident ordering food, asking directions, and making small talk. If you want a warm city and a supportive school, Meiji is a great choice considering.

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

I'm really glad I got to go abroad with CIS. The program was rather affordable and allowed me to experience going abroad for the first time. I was able to immerse myself in a new culture and language even when I was off campus and spending time on my own. When I was on campus in Japan, the program had plenty of events for us to partake in and learn more about the culture, like yukata wearing and a tea ceremony. My class was fairly challenging with the professor speaking almost all the time in Japanese, as it was a Japanese language course. The program staff were really friendly and provided me with guideance regarding acclimating to the train system, daily life in Japan, and traveling between cities. I felt very safe and not lost during my time on the program.

I had the incredible opportunity to spend a month in Tokyo this summer through CIS Abroad, studying at JF Oberlin University. From start to finish, the experience was both rewarding and fun, and I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations. The housing was comfortable, well-located, and made me feel at home during my time in Japan. The excursions were a highlight—each one gave me a chance to experience Japanese culture firsthand and create memories with fellow students. The staff were supportive, friendly, and always available to help, which made the transition to living and studying in another country smooth and enjoyable. JF Oberlin University itself was a fantastic host; the classes were engaging, and the environment fostered both learning and connection with local students. If I had one recommendation, it would be to offer even more excursions, since they added so much value to the program. I found every outing to be enriching, and having more would only make the experience even better. Overall, I would highly recommend CIS Abroad to anyone considering studying overseas. My time in Tokyo gave me not only academic growth but also personal memories that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.

I got to experience for a short time what it would be like if I lived in Japan myself. It was an experience that allowed me to grow as a person, meet new people, try good food, and see all sorts of different cultural differences.

I was lucky to spend a month in Fukuoka and it was an unforgettable experience. The lessons at Meiji Academy were well-structured, practical, and the teachers were friendly, respectful, and attentive to our individual needs. On weekends, I explored the city with colleagues, visiting Fukuoka Tower, the beach, the nightlife, and even Osaka, where we enjoyed the World Expo and Universal Studios. Only the frequent rain was a bit annoying, so bring a raincoat or umbrella! The food in Japan was incredible. From fresh sushi to hearty ramen and countless local dishes, every meal was a highlight. I highly recommend Meiji Academy to anyone wanting to improve their Japanese and truly experience Japanese culture. I'd love to return!

I had an amazing experience at Meiji Academy in Fukuoka! The staff was so friendly and helpful, showing us cool places to shop, eat, and explore in the city. Living in the shared house close to the school was also a big plus, as the area was quiet and very comfortable. I loved the events the school organized, like wearing kimonos and visiting a beautiful shrine in Fukuoka, and the boat trip in Yanagawa was a real highlight. Overall, I’d definitely recommend Meiji Academy for anyone looking for a great Japanese learning and cultural experience!

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

I was able to attend 2 sessions during the summer and took the Management in Japanese Corporations and Japanese Intermediate courses. I had previously attended the January program at the same university so I knew what I was getting into. The staff and faculty are extremely kind and accommodating. The excursions were very informative, my favorite being the calligraphy lesson. There is also plenty of time to explore Japan outside of class, some classes even having field trips. If I were to compare the January and Summer terms: - the winter is fairly mild (compared to New Jersey, United States of America) and the summer is fairly humid with temperatures being a little high. - the summer is lot a more lively with a lot more festivals and outdoor events (ex. Firework shows) happening around Japan. There also is a lot more foreign tourists around Tokyo in the summer as well Overall I don’t think I have too big of a preference between the two because they both offer slightly different experiences. It really depends on what you are looking to do in Japan/your travel style. If you prefer a little more lively atmosphere or enjoy the warmer weather then I’d definitely recommend the summer sessions.

Overall, I truly enjoyed every moment I spent in Japan, and am grateful for API giving me this opportunity. However, while I enjoyed each excursion that I went on, the school aspect left a lot to be desired. Though this is more of an issue with the Host University, I would've preferred that there were more interesting courses, and not some that felt somewhat generic and tame. For example, though this may be a nitpick, I feel as if a course involving perhaps the storytelling or creative process for producing an Anime/Manga story, as Japan is well known for animation and manga, and I had met a few people in the excursion who agreed with this idea. Regardless, while my only issue truly lied with the Course Selections, my time in Japan was most definitely worthwhile.

Tokyo was always my dream destination to visit and getting the opportunity to study abroad there was a dream come true. I loved Japan as much as I thought I would all thanks to APIs amazing program offering me so many cultural immersion opportunities. I’m so grateful to Azusa who was our group coordinator in Japan and also a fellow student she was amazing so helpful and knowledgeable being from Tokyo.

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

My experience in Japan was made great by CIS abroad. The housing was comfortable and in a great area with tons of shops that truly felt like a quiet area of Tokyo. The education was great, especially my language class. Finally, the guidance given to us by our on-site coordinators was amazing, as they helped us figure out transportation and answer any questions we had at almost any time. I had an experience I will never forget.

I was hesitant to study abroad for the first time and CIS Abroad exceeded my expectations. CIS Abroad is there to make all steps in your study abroad journey as seamless as possible. The application process is simple and straightforward, and if you have any questions they are always there to help and respond quickly. During the pre-departure meetings, and onsite orientation I knew that I was going to be okay, and this was going to be a journey I would never forget. Arriving in Florence with CIS Abroad, they truly made you feel at home, and the onsite directors were so friendly towards all of us. Without CIS Abroad there to help, my journey would not been of amazing as it was.

Studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan for a month was the most amazing time of my life. I was quite anxious to go to Japan especially since it was going to be my first time leaving the US and flying by myself, however, I received incredible and immense support from the on-site program directors. Being immersed in Japanese culture through program activities like kimono wearing, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and just interacting with locals overall was wonderful. I was able to make friendships with some Japanese students which was so nice because they showed me beautiful places and foods to try. Not only did I make become friends with Japanese students, I also became close with the other study abroad students so I often went out to explore and have tons of fun with them everyday. Waking up everyday in Japan brought so much excitement because there is so much to see and do so I NEVER felt bored. As for Seisen University, the campus I attended in Tokyo, was beautiful and quiet. It was only a short train ride and walk away from my accommodation, so maybe a 20 minute commute. However, it is on a hill so it was quite a workout to walk to campus from the train station especially with the really hot and humid weather during the summer months. Then, the teachers were great! They were really interactive, entertaining, and passionate about what they were teaching. Since it was a summer program that only lasted a month, the courses were very fast paced especially the Japanese language courses. Also, the Japanese students were super friendly and kind and I always enjoyed talking to them and eating lunch with them. It was truly fascinating learning from them and I learning from them about our lives. Overall, I definitely recommend studying abroad with Cis abroad and choosing one of their Japan programs. It was a decision that I was highly doubting before I went but after experiencing it, I have no regrets at all and am very grateful for it. It is an opportunity that I wish everyone to experience.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.