Study Abroad Programs in Hiroshima, 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.

Academics: Some students I know have struggled finding classes taught in English that are transferable to their home university, but I know others who have found classes that apply to their degree path. Sometimes, the "Language of Instruction" part on the Hiroshima University syllabus is a lie. It may say "Japanese/English" for some classes, but there is a chance those classes will be taught entirely in Japanese. Living Situation: The living situation is really you get what you pay for. The dorms are small and old, and you have to share showers or toilets with other students (depending on the type of dorm), but the dorms are extremely cheap. Cleaners come in once a week to clean the dorms. The Japanese are generally very clean, so the dorm living situation is really not too bad once you get used to it. Cultural Immersion: It can be difficult for some students to make close Japanese friends. If you are not Japanese, you are immediately considered an outsider by some Japanese and have to work harder than the average Japanese person to become good friends with them. However, there are international exchange events and clubs that exist with the purpose of bringing Japanese and foreign students together. Program Administration: I personally had no issues with administration before entering Japan and upon arrival. I think USAC and Hiroshima University did an excellent job helping students prepare for study abroad. Health & Safety: Japan is extremely strict with COVID, so you can expect to wear a mask almost everywhere. Japanese take masks and sanitation very seriously, so you can also expect to see hand sanitizing stations everywhere. Crime rates in Japan are also very low, and many people feel safe walking alone in the middle of the night. Community: Hiroshima University is located in Saijo, which is a somewhat rural area in Higashihiroshima in Hiroshima prefecture. Saijo Station is roughly 40 minutes away from Hiroshima Station by train. There is not much to do where the campus is located, but some students take frequent trips to Hiroshima City as that is where the closest city life is. You can also take the bullet train from Hiroshima Station to other big cities in Japan. Overall, studying abroad in Japan was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have made many lifelong friends and improved my Japanese immensely. I would highly recommend anyone who is really interested in improving their Japanese and learning the Japanese way of life to study abroad.

It is a well put together program that prioritizes the teaching of the Japanese language and education. The area around the university is called Saijo, which is a somewhat rural area where it is quiet and a lot of studying can be done. Although the dorms are a little old and dirty, for the price of about sixty five dollars per month, it really wasn't bad. The program site allows easy access to trains and the ability to travel through Japan at one's free will. I went to Miyajima and Matsuyama which are both fairly close and cheap to get to. The staff is always there, ready to help, and will even shoot an occasional text of, "hey how's it going or remember to do this." The classes were so well run that it improved the way I study and the love I have for the Japanese language. The people on campus are incredibly nice and welcoming to foreigners and even will go out of their way to help you in a time of need. Overall, despite the living or the lack of home stay options, this program is still an A+ for me and probably for anyone who values learning the language. Living Situation: It's not the cleanest of living situations but I gave it a B+ because I feel that more time should be spent outside dorms rather than inside. Cultural Immersion: I wish there were more field trips, more home stay opportunities.... I wish you could even do home stay in this program. Health and Safety: The safety in Japan is ridiculous. I never felt sketched out or fearful of things being taken. I actually lost an expensive item and had it returned in a week. That wouldn't happen in the US.