Finance Study Abroad Programs in Japan

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.

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.

My time in Japan was life-changing. As a Nikkei student, I reconnected with roots my family had lost after internment and generations of cultural distance. From dorm life to local hikes, food, and community events, I gained authentic insight into daily Japanese life. Beyond travel, it was about reclaiming identity, building cross-cultural friendships, and finding confidence in who I am.

I had a great time studying abroad in Japan! The school was great and I made a bunch of friends. TEAN provided a bunch of cultural outings that were really fun. However, if I were to do it again I would probably do a direct exchange. The organization and support of the TEAN program could have been better, and most of my best memories were made outside of TEAN activities. I really enjoyed my time and don't have any regrets, but I know that if I had needed extra support while I was there, as several people I knew did, I would have felt less satisfied with my experience. Overall, J.F. Oberlin was a great school and I really liked my classes. They're very welcoming to international students and I really enjoyed my time there. The dorms were pretty nice and were super close to a train station and the bus stop. You end up with plenty of free time to explore Japan (though be sure to actually attend your classes!!) and it's a great experience. If you have the travel bug and want to go somewhere during your time in college, this is a great program to check out! Be sure to compare the difference between direct exchange and TEAN though.

Living in Japan truly changed my entire outlook on life. Before studying abroad in Tokyo, I had never left the United States, so to travel 7000 miles away from home was a huge leap of faith. However, I built a second home in Japan with my dorm, friends, teammates, and classmates. Being immersed in my culture and meeting my family there was incredibly rewarding, and I grew so much as a person and a student. Studying abroad takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to take chances you never would have at home. Japan is so safe, forgiving, and welcoming, I'm so glad I chose to study there!

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.

私の留学するはとてもすごいかったです！ (MY STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE WAS AMAZING!) From before I even got to Tokyo to the time I left, I was having the time of my life! Since I went through TEAN, a lot of the stuff beforehand was done through TEAN, the only thing I had to do on my own was the student visa. The arrival was easy since TEAN gave out a pamphlet, organized our housing and provided transportation. JUST A HEADS UP: I suggest buying a Japanese ESIM card for your phone before you go since it is cheaper than an international plan and you NEED a Japanese number if you plan on buying anything online from clothes to concert tickets. Through TEAN I had excursions to Hakone and Seoul (this one was extra but TOTALLY WORTH IT), and since Tokyo has a great public transportation system, I made my own excursions (the Center of Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yokohama, etc). I made many lifelong friends throughout my experience from all over the world. I will now have friends from the USA, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Italy, and the Netherlands to name a bunch. I will not sugar coat it, the actual studying in the study abroad could be very difficult sometimes since the classes are long, the homework is a lot, and the best part: It's all in Japanese. YAY! But fear not, the teachers are very sweet and understanding, and personally, this teaching style definitely improved my Japanese. I will say though, knowing just a little bit of Japanese, even if it is just the numbers haha, goes a long way and the Japanese people will be thankful to you. Speaking of Japanese people, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK IN JAPANESE TO THEM. They are usually pretty appreciative and impressed when a foreigner takes time out of their day to learn Japanese. I also recommend making friends with the locals! You might think they do not like you because they do not approach you usually, but in reality, they tend to be shy! My recommendations for befriending the locals: My university (JFOU) offered courses in English, and a majority of the people in those courses were Japanese people wanting to learn English (shout out to my friends Haruka, Jien, Sean, Masato and YOSHIIIIII)! If your university does not offer these courses, then I recommend interacting with the people that are at a place that you frequently go to. For instance, I started going to Starbucks to study and I noticed that it was usually the same people whenever I would go, so one day I started throwing in phrases in Japanese such as "kawaii=you are so cute (be careful with this one LOL)" "oishii =delicious" "kakkoi=so cool (also be careful with this one HAHA)" and "ganbattekudasai=YOU GOT THIS". Down the line these compliments lead to them waiving at me and making small talk with me while I enjoyed my drinks (Hojicha and Yuzu Citrus Tea are an 11/10 BTW) to spending time with me outside of their work hours. I should get paid for this, Starbucks. LOL JK. All in all, I have many stories to tell thanks to my trip in Japan through TEAN.

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.

I think the program offers a lot of opportunities due to its size. The program being a bit smaller allows for a lot of malleability within the program, and flexibility /freedom for students schedules and time.

The program staff was amazing and truly made me feel welcomed in a country I did not know the language or culture. I have made friends here that I know will continue to be my friends for years to come, thanks to the connections ciee opened up. The one thing I wish could have happened is more class experience with Japanese students; taking classes where host students were present in would have made this program perfect. Other than that, I would 100% recommend this program to others, and already have.

Overall, my program experience has been positive. I liked my instructors and the classes I took. However, I feel the course loads were a bit much for a six week program. Some administrative and organizational aspects I felt could be improved as well to make the student feel their needs are being met. On the other hand, all staff members of the program I participated in were friendly and great to talk to.

I enjoyed the classes I took and thought they were conducted well. In addition, I liked the excursions that were planned each Friday and felt that they covered a good variety of things I would have wanted to do.

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 have so many fond memories from this program. From the small interactions with locals to going on multiple day-long trips, there is was so much to love. I gained a much greater understanding about just how different cultures can be and how to adjust to unknown situations. My favorite thing I would do often was just going on day trips on my own or with friends to the countryside or just anywhere that is less touristy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else, and I couldn't recommend it more.

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.