Government 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.

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.

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 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.

Never in a million years did I think I was ever going to get the chance to study abroad! I was digging around the web during Covid for programs that could give me more out of my college experience. Covid gave me time to think about what I wanted out of life and definitely made me see how much I took for granted. I always wanted to study abroad but I didn’t think I would be able to afford it or have the courage to travel to another country alone. I passed USAC’s program on the web and immediately applied out of sheer confidence that this is what I wanted to do. I got accepted and the rest is history. This experience has made me grow so much as a person and develop a new appreciation for relationships and cultures. I have fallen in love with being able to communicate with people from all over the world and gain new found friendships that will last a lifetime. I got out of my comfort zone so many times and have never regretted a second of it. I have learned so many new things about myself as a person and as a member of society. Nishinomiya will forever be my home away from home. The city is absolutely beautiful and the people are so amazing and friendly. The university I attended, Kwansei Gakuin University, is even more so. The professors and full time students were great. They welcomed us with open arms and made sure we felt comfortable. There were also so many opportunities for Japanese and exchange student interactions, but my favorite was the Global Lounge. Exchange and full time students hung out in the lounge together and it is how many of us became friends. There are so many relationships I’ve made that I am going to miss. To anyone who is thinking of studying abroad, I highly recommended it! There might be some rough patches throughout your time abroad, especially if it’s for an extended amount of time, but it will all the more help you grow. Studying abroad is a life changing experience. I have never travel abroad in my life until this program. I am incredibly grateful and will remember this for the rest of my life.

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

Studying abroad is the best way to experience a new country, with a perfect balance of independence and being involved in a community. I had a wonderful time in Japan and was able to fully immerse myself into the culture and daily life. I developed new routines that I would have not encountered in my home country, and stepped outside of my comfort zone to experience new responsibilities. By broadening my perspective of the world, I better understand the differences in societies, including all of the obstacles, and will remember my time here in Japan forever.

Studying abroad in Japan was a dream I had for so long, and to say the experience lived up to my expectations is an understatement, it exceeded them. Even just the daily routine of going to classes was so fun and I really feel like I was able to do something new everyday. I loved the location of this program and plan to go back in the near future. Nishinomiya was such a fun, vibrant city and locals were always so kind and helpful. Even when my Japanese was hard to understand, everyone was so nice and welcoming to me. Being so close to some of Japans most exciting areas was really something I loved about this program. From wearing a kimono in Kyoto, petting the most polite deer ever in Nara, breathing the fresh sea air in Kobe, and celebrating Halloween in Osakas nightlife center, it’s feels unreal to look back at how many unique and fun experiences I got to have. All these cities are less than an hour away by train, and Osaka was only 12 minutes away! The city life was fun, but what I’ll miss most was everyone I made friends with while I was there. All my class buddies, dormates, conversation partners, I lucky I was to meet all of them and share such a fun time of life with them. When I look back at my photos from the past few months, rarely is it just me. So many adventures were with my new friends and I’m glad to have made those memories with them. I also enjoyed my time solo traveling too, and as a woman in Japan, I actually felt quite safe and took the opportunity to indulge on night walks as well as 1am convenience store runs to family mart! I could go on and on about my semester in Japan, but I’ll end here by encouraging you to study abroad if the opportunity arises. I think it really changes how you see things, and exposes you to so much. I learned more about Japan on a cultural level, my language skills improved, my connections worldwide grew, and I left feeling a sense of accomplishment and growth, as well as the desire to see more of what the world has to offer.

My semester in Tokyo Japan was truly the best! There are so many things to do, new foods to try, delicious foods to eat, etc. I also made lots of friends from Toyo University, which was really great! Toyo University offered classes in English and Japanese and almost all teachers, students and staff spoke English which made my experience a lot greater. I'm so glad that I got to study at Toyo and will never forget my time there!

My time in Japan has been the absolute best. I got the chance to experience the beautiful scenery of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto while learning about the history, eating the best food, and living the night life of each city. However, not only did I get to experience many aspects of Japan’s culture, I did it with people who would become my greatest friends. The University that I attended was also great! All my teachers were kind and caring of their students. This study abroad trip has broaden my horizons, given me the best time of my life, meaningful friendships, and unforgettable memories.

Studying abroad was the best decision I could’ve made! I made it a goal to go abroad as soon as I came to college and I am so happy I made it a reality. I got to immerse myself in the culture and meet so many amazing and great people that I still talk to! I wouldn’t change it for the world and I am so happy with my experience! Your next!

Everyone needs to go abroad. It is awesome experiencing so many cultures. Professors while abroad are very helpful and care about their students. I really enjoyed getting to know my professors and learning not only class content but also from their real life experiences. Traveling on the weekends was obviously my favorite part of this experience. I was able to visit a bunch of different countries. Wish I could stay longer.

By getting outside of my comfort zone as much as possible, I was able to experience parts of the world while figuring out new things about myself! Staying in a home stay is completely worth it because you get to practice your Spanish and meet incredibly interesting locals!