Culture Study Abroad Programs in Nagoya, Japan

Coming out of the worst time of my life last year, I had little to look forward to until I found IES’s Nagoya Summer: Language and Culture program. The application process was incredibly smooth and quick, and once I was accepted, so were the travel forms and health information. Arriving with the other IES students for orientation and some field trips, we were able to form connections early while acclimating to Japan and its wonders. And as we got settled into Nanzan at our respective dorms and with host families, making more friends was even easier. Classes at Nanzan didn’t even feel like work. I found myself looking forward to going every day despite the 20 minute trek to school. It is inspiring being able to learn a language in its country of origin, while also getting to take electives and art classes to round out your experience. Apart from that, we had a lot of free time (depending how many electives you took). Nagoya has so much to offer. My friends and I would go out for lunch or dinner around various subway stations after class, frequent the izakayas and karaoke places on the weekends, and sometimes take day trips to places like Tokyo and Osaka. IES went above and beyond with this- we had a built-in weekend trip to Kyoto including our own tour guide, an art activity, and an itinerary of all the best sites to visit. My professors were wonderful, and along with the other staff at Nanzan, worked with IES to make sure we were all safe and comfortable. When I had a spot of trouble with organizing my housing, the IES program coordinators, the CJS (Center for Japanese Studies) staff, and the international director at Nanzan were all there to support me. Throughout the summer I participated in IES’s Correspondent Program as a photographer. It was amazing to record pictures of us having the time of our lives and think about how these could help future students who are looking at this program. After returning to the US, I also applied to the Ambassadors program and had a lot of fun helping the IES table at Penn State’s Education Abroad fair. I’ve been inspired to change my major to Japanese language, and I plan to participate in the JET (Japan English Teaching) program. So not only did the program give me an awesome summer, it keeps impacting me, my career path, and my hopes for the future!

I had the time of my life while abroad, and it’s all because of IES Abroad. Going into college, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to study abroad and achieve my goals of traveling while abroad, but through my IES Program I was able to participate in an abroad program that changed my life. Not only did I make lifelong friends in my program and school, but I got to go on field trips provided by the program to explore the culture and experiences of locals and learn about the rich history of Japan. I got to live with a host family who has become real family, and every day I woke up so excited to be in Japan. I only wish I had more time to spend here. I got to explore different cities, try so many new foods, and even met some really cool animals like capybaras and deer!

Before I provide my review, I would like to highlight that I speak Japanese well, which made my life in Japan easier than for others. My study abroad with the IES Nagoya program was enjoyable. Since it involved direct enrollment at the Japanese school (Nanzan University), I really needed help filling out tons of applications. However, IES guided me through filling out all of the applications, and there weren't even many things to do at my level. Even though I could speak Japanese, I was definitely worried about adjusting myself to the new places. However, IES provided field trips to its students, which was actually an awesome experience for me. I took thousands of pictures on those field trips and even experienced many authentic Japanese places that I couldn't visit just in Nagoya. Adding more here, Nagoya is just the perfect place if you are first visiting Japan. Nagoya is a city with good authentic Japanese food, historical sites, and even a well-managed downtown area where you can enjoy East Asian culture with your local friends. In terms of learning, Nanzan offers great language classes where you can actually improve your Japanese skills. They also have a program where you can meet other Japanese students and exchange your own culture with them. Since you cannot meet local Japanese students in class, that program was really helpful for me to make some Japanese friends with whom I could practice the Japanese that I learned in class. I chose the homestay program while I was studying abroad, and I would say that was the highlight of my stay in Japan. You can engage with your host family who are willing to exchange their culture and help you practice your Japanese while you are at home. That helped me to understand Japanese society and people more deeply. I learned lots of etiquette that I need to know to live in Japan.

I spent a semester in Tokyo, Japan in Fall 2019. I was the only one from my college and state going on this IES Abroad program. I wasn't sure if my Japanese was sufficient to navigate around in the city or to ask for specific help whenever I needed it. It was the first time I would be away from home for so long. So I was excited to see how it would turn out, and I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to adjust to life in Japan because Japan and Georgia, USA are entirely different. However, IES Abroad allowed me to make a Japanese friend through email (e-pal) and meet my future classmates through Facebook so I would have someone I know meet me at the airport. There were 40 international students and 20 E-pals that would grow to be some lifelong friends. All of us were so unique and came from different backgrounds, majors, and language levels. The staff that worked at the IES Center were like family to a lot of us. They really looked out for us and helped us learn how to adjust and cope with occasional homesickness. The Tokyo staff make sure we knew how to use the train system, how fun places to go, and so on. Most of the classes were fantastic. These classes opened my eyes to a view of Japanese culture and history I had never known before. The program had trips to Nikko and Hokkaido that allowed us to explore the differences that exist in various prefectures of Japan. By the end of the program, many of my classmates and E-pals were sad to be leaving. It was like I had to leave my second home. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to adjust back to life in America, and I knew I was going to miss my American and Japanese family and friends so much. I hope in the future I can come back to work and live in Japan.

I went abroad for the purpose of furthering my Japanese ability, and I was not disappointed. Nanzan's Japanese program is intense and rewarding; it took a lot of work, but I learned so much! Not to mention, I loved being able to learn alongside other students who cared as much as I did about Japanese. The professor's also cared about our progress and health, which made it easier during difficult classes. One of the really helpful aspects of having IES support me through the experience was the practical advice about the area, and the time spent with other international students. I especially liked having the orientation before the classes started so I had time to get used to things. The only thing I found a bit frustrating was it was nearly impossible to enter clubs at the university. But overall, the program was great.

I studied abroad through IES Abroad Nagoya for the Spring of 2019 through my school. The IES Abroad Nagoya program was really amazing, The program staff seem to truly care about the participants and bring you on some amazing trips. The Nanzan University program can be a bit intense due to the speed of the program (The entire Genki 2 book in 4-5 months) hence the 3.0 GPA requirement. It can be a bit stressful at times but I really forces to practice your Japanese more and improves your Japanese at a very fast rate. The staff there are amazing. They are super kind and super helpful if you have any trouble. Because the program runs from January to May, it allows you time to take a Summer internship/co-op as well. In my case, I did an internship in Tokyo afterwards. I spent my first 4 month with a host family and the last month at a dorm due to host family circumstances. If I'm to be honest, my host family situation wasn't ideal but I learned a lot and it was a very big learning experience. The dorm I moved to was also very close to campus (4 stations away) and was a very convenient location. the dorms are also not huge dorms you might find in other places and are typically pretty small allowing you to easily make friends with everyone in the dorm. Nagoya is a great city as well. While it doesn't have as much, Its much cheaper than Tokyo. Nanzan is also in an area that doesn't typically get many foreigners so you typically won't have problems with people treating you like you don't know any or very little Japanese. You can also very easily get to Shizuoka, Gifu, Mie, Kyoto, and much more. If you like to avoid heavy tourist locations, Nagoya is a great location to be to travel from. Overhaul, after the program I changed and grew a lot. Having to Be independent in a foreign country allows you to grow a lot more than in your home country. I also became a lot more proactive at getting out. Having such a convenient and cheap public transport system really encourages you to go out and do things. I highly recommend going on this program if you get the chance.

From March to July of 2018, I had the opportunity to live abroad in Tokyo, Japan. I studied Anthropology and Sociology through IES Abroad's Tokyo Language and Culture program. IES Abroad's program was not only academically stimulating, culturally relevant and engaging. From the beginning of the application process, to my last day in Japan, the IES staff were extremely helpful in providing information and resources to prepare for an amazing semester. The Tokyo study abroad center itself felt almost like a second home. All of the staff were extremely kind, welcoming and even went out of their way to help me explore my interests in Japan. For example, I knew I wanted to go hiking while in Japan and the staff was able to help me find information about local hiking opportunities. The staff also organized a number of opportunities to travel which were both interesting and financially feasible. I had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa and Kamakura, two places I wouldn't have considered visiting on my own. In regards to academics, the class offerings were diverse and interesting, and I had equal opportunity to enroll in classes through the local university as well. The Japanese course I took was challenging but I can very much say that my Japanese skills improved immensely over the course of 3 months. Overall, if you're looking for a supportive, engaging, and challenging experience I definitely recommend IES Abroad. There was a clear balance of academic rigor but also extracurricular offerings.

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be studying abroad in Japan, I wouldn’t believe you. My application process was surreal: I’d looked up a countless number of photos, blogs, and reviews of study abroad in Japan, and I couldn’t believe that I was applying to go to a country so different from my own. When I applied and found out that I was accepted into IES Abroad’s Nagoya Summer Program, I was ecstatic: I was going to Japan! I had a new perspective about the photos, blogs, and reviews that I’d seen and read. I would gather my own memories and photos just like those in the past who’ve studied abroad have done. What I loved the most about studying abroad through IES is the support system that I had from the minute I was accepted and even now as an alumna. I remember feeling butterflies (a bit from excitement, a bit from nervousness) when I thought about my upcoming study abroad trip, but my advisor sent me a weekly newsletter and answered all of my questions (no matter how small or unimportant they seemed to me!). The minute my plane touched down in Nagoya, two IES staff members greeted me in the airport. This was such a relief for me, as I had never been in a foreign country before--let alone one where the native language isn't English! The staff members were so polite and helped me and two of my fellow participants to the hotel that we'd be staying in for the weekend. On the train ride there, we introduced ourselves and talked about various aspects of American and Japanese culture (in a mix of Japanese and English) and just our initial reactions at being in Japan. It was comforting to have them there with me, and they assuaged any lingering fears or worries that I had about being in a country so far from home. My first weekend in Japan was an orientation guided by two IES staff members. They gave us emergency resources, talked about some cultural differences and difficulties that we might face, and organized a traditional Japanese meal for us. It was a perfect transitioning weekend that helped me and the other participants become comfortable with our new home for the next 6 weeks. I won't lie and say transitioning to life in Japan was easy; being in a foreign country for the first time, especially when you don't speak the official language fluently, is tough. Tasks that I wouldn’t give a second thought to in America like doing laundry and buying groceries were challenging. My advice to overcoming these challenges is this: observe how your Japanese classmates carry out their day-to-day lives and never be afraid to ask for help. My time in Japan was short, but I felt like I had seen a lot and learned a lot about the places that I visited. Because of IES, I was able to see my host city in a new way, through several different cultural events like the community Tanabata celebration and the TAO drum performance. I also explored more of Kyoto than I ever thought I would; Kyoto is such a historically and culturally rich city with an abundance of shrines, temples, and historical landmarks, and our weekend field trip to Kyoto allowed us to visit a handful of the most famous landmarks in a short span of time. Although I was extremely tired after the trip, I'm glad that I had the chance to see so much of such a beautiful city. IES Abroad field trips supplemented an already incredible study abroad experience by helping me to see more of Japan, both geographically and culturally, than I ever thought possible. One aspect that I loved about IES is that they organized these field trips and events, but the time commitment was never overwhelming. I still had free time so I could hang out with my new friends and go to karaoke or a local ramen shop, or plan small field trips of our own to museums and castles. As far as academics go, Nanzan University provided a rigorous and highly beneficial language learning environment. We had classes 5 days a week, around 3 hours a day with a 15-minute break in between, and then homework on a daily basis. What I loved about Nanzan was that they provide so many opportunities for international students to interact with Japanese students, both inside and outside of the classroom. Every Friday, our sensei would invite Japanese students to our class and we would start off the class by having conversations with them for 20-minutes. There were also daily events such as the Japan Plaza where you could go and get homework help or just informally converse in Japanese, and other frequent events such as Coffee Hour where you could converse and play games with Japanese students. They also organized several field trips (some just for international students, some for international and Japanese students) to various places such as Shirakawa-go, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the mountains, and even a sumo championship held in Nagoya! The environment that Nanzan University provided was so inviting and fun. If you attend, I highly recommend staying in the International Student Dormitories. For the girls dorm, you’re guaranteed one Japanese roommate, plus up to 2 other roommates from anywhere in the world! The dorms are more like 4-bedroom apartments with a shared bathroom area, kitchen area, and common area. The guys dorms are single rooms, but there is still at least one Japanese student on each floor, so you won’t lose the opportunity to converse with native Japanese speakers, even when you’re settled in for the night. Despite only being in Japan for 6 weeks, it felt like a lifetime because of all of the incredible people that I met and places that I saw. Overall, I highly recommend studying through IES Abroad if you’re looking to get the most out of your time abroad and explore every nook and cranny of your host country, with the support of a genuine and caring staff.

Participating in the Nagoya Summer--Language and Culture program at Nanzan University for seven weeks this past summer truly transformed my Japanese language ability and increased my confidence. Initially terrified to travel alone for the first time in my life, I was incredibly nervous, but the IES facilitators provided so much support that I was ability to immediately make friends and quickly come to call Nanzan University home. By both intensively studying Japanese and being fully immersed in Japanese culture every day I was able to improve more in my language ability then I ever could at my home university in the US. I left the program conversationally fluent and able to navigate the city by myself. I made lifelong friends with both other international students and the Japanese students at Nanzan. We still keep in touch to this day. This program made me realize just how much I love studying Japanese and has motivated me to continue to further pursue these studies.

Honestly, I can't really put my experience into words. Everyday I wake up in the States and wish I was back in Japan. It was such a great time! I always wanted to go to Japan since I was in middle school and to have had this incredible opportunity to do so meant the world to me. The staff was always helpful, friendly, and treated me not only with respect but as a friend as well. The school faculty was amazing and I met some of the nicest people there. My transition from the States to Japan was smooth and whenever I had questions, I got answers. I never felt alone or felt as though I couldn't reach out for help. If I could go back to IES tomorrow, I would.

My experience abroad was something that I will never forget. I often find myself looking through pictures I gathered throughout my experience and reminiscing about the amazing people I met and the beautiful country that I had the opportunity to see so much of, thanks to IES. My IES program in Japan allowed me to go on many field trips to various places such as Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Nara. One of my fondest memories of my time abroad was when IES took the group on a field trip to Iga where we got to dress up as ninjas and watch a ninja show! Through these trips, I felt as though I developed a deeper understanding of Japan's culture and rich history. At Nanzan, my Japanese skills improved quickly and immensely. Before I came to Japan, I could barely hold up a conversation and now that I am no longer in Japan, I am always itching to speak in Japanese! I did not expect my language skills to improve as much as they did. Though the coursework was challenging and often took me a while to figure out, all of the extra work and studying really paid off. I am so grateful everyday that I was able to have this opportunity and to learn so much. I wish I could do it again!

IES Tokyo has one of the most dedicated study abroad teams in that you'll ever see in any program. They're a good size for how many students attend each term, and are thoughtful and dedicated to your experience in abroad in terms of academics, cultural immersion, and safety. Some of my favorite highlights that I felt stood out from other programs: - The availability of a student council that is elected each term that gets to plan group trips according to interest (anything from hiking Mt. Takao, to going to the Ghibli Museum) that really brings the study abroad students and e-Pals together and also allows students to explore places that they may not otherwise have gone to - Thoughtfully created field trips with cultural immersion and learning in mind, but also fun (we did a trip to Hiroshima where we visited and learned about the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, but also were given time to explore the city, and we also did a trip to Nikko where we got to experience Japanese onsen) - E-Pal program, where you are paired with a Japanese student at KUIS, the local university. They serve as your friend, first and foremost, but they are also great resources for questions about Japan and it also serves as a good language exchange. This is probably one of the best ways to immerse yourself into the community. - Social Organization Class that allows you to intern once a week at a company/organization/non-profit and gain experience in a Japanese work environment. It is definitely good for your resume, and is a great learning and community experience. - Academic classes offered are fairly diverse, though it depends if they reach enough students to hold the class. The classes the IES center offers are fairly eye opening classes and often to field trips to different places in Tokyo or the area around it. The outcome and overall learning from these classes tend to vary but you really get back the amount of effort or interest you put into the class. They are not particularly difficult either, which is good as it gives you time to explore Tokyo and the rest of Japan while also allowing yourself to be exercised academically. - Host families are very thoroughly screened and selected by the IES Tokyo team, so your host family will likely be very safe and understanding. I personally had one of the best experiences of my life with my host family, but every experience is different, though most of my classmates had very positive things to say about their host families as well.

Studying abroad was quite possibly the best decision I have ever made in my life. My choice to study in Japan was based on my interest in my personal cultural heritage. I grew up in a primarily white area and had hardly any interaction with my Japanese culture. I was thrilled to find that IES Abroad Tokyo could fulfil these needs. From the time I stepped off the plane to the time I left, my study abroad experience was extremely rewarding. I felt welcomed by the staff, who were always willing to provide advice and truly cared about the lives of their students. Academics were not overly rigorous, but I still walked away from the program knowing a lot more about both the language and culture than when I arrived. As a molecular genetics major, I assumed that studying abroad would not help me much academically. But I was surprised to find that I became increasingly more interested in Japanese and decided to pursue a minor at my home institution when I returned home from the program. I was also able to participate in the field placement program, where I helped out at an acupuncture clinic and witnessed differences between eastern and western medicine (which I would eventually like to pursue). In this way, this study abroad program was also helpful for resume building and helping me to define career goals. It was also very easy for me to immerse myself in Japanese life. The e-pal program helped me to find Japanese friends from the very start. Kanda University of International Studies, where about half of the classes are taught, also provided ample opportunity to engage in clubs and activities. Furthermore, the IES staff did a wonderful job of pairing me with a host family that perfectly suited my needs as a rather independent individual. And though the school in not located directly in Tokyo, I found that I was constantly traveling into the city to explore and attend many of the local events and festivals. The area around the school (and throughout most of Japan itself) is very safe, and I felt completely comfortable walking and traveling by myself (as a woman). Traveling outside of Tokyo was fairly easy. The IES staff organized two trips to other Japanese cities (we went to Hiroshima and Nikko, but they are not always the same each year). They also gave me a number of suggestions and helped me to plan my two non-IES sponsored trips to Kyoto/Osaka and Sapporo. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who is interested in Japan, or who is looking for an opportunity to learn about a culture entirely different from their own!

The IES experience was truly beyond what I expected from studying abroad. While we were given great cultural classes in addition to our regular classes, they assured that students were truly immersed in exploration, creating international friendships, and having a working understanding of the language and social aspects. The trips included many cultural experiences that even normal Japanese people do not get to do (i.e. very nice tea houses!). Even when I was going on side trips with friends, Nagoya's location is perfectly located so that you can easily get to visit tourist favorites, such as Tokyo and Osaka, with ease. It also is a big city with many attractions within itself, but you get the feeling of it being legitimately Japan. Especially among my friends who were really searching for actually learning the culture and improving their language skills, Nagoya's Nanazan University the best program fit. If you're still deciding which program to choose, you won't regret choosing IES Nagoya!

I really couldn't have imagined my experience without going abroad with IES! IES provided so much support and opportunities for all of us during the semester. My friends who also studied abroad at Nanzan (but not with IES) were always really jealous of all of the incredible performances we saw and field trips we went on as a part of IES! Would DEFINITELY recommend this program, and I do!

IES gave me a wonderful experience of studying at Nanzan University in Japan. The staff at IES were very helpful during the process of applying and integrating into my life in Japan. While there, they gave us the freedom of college students abroad and we learned on our own at a wonderful and immersive program at Nanzan University. Nanzan itself allowed us many opportunities to immerse in the culture and speak to native speakers. The classroom program was also very intensive! We spent about five hours each day in class. As for IES, they gave us many experiences, such as a group field trip to Kyoto which was one of my best memories. I would definitely recommend the Nanzan direct enrollment program through IES abroad.

I got the opportunity to study overseas in Japan, thanks to IES Abroad and I can say that it was a wonderful experience. The immersion and activities that this program provide were amazing. Everything from spending a weekend in Kyoto, to watching the incredible TAO drums which took my breath away and more. There was the added benefit that I knew that even though I was overseas and away from my friends and family, that I had a group of fellow IES students who were there to help me out and join me on my adventures. The program coordinators were informative and ready to answer questions and were some addition peace of mind while overseas. All in all, I had a great time with this program and would recommend.

Hands down, one of the most eye-opening semesters in my life. IES Abroad Nagoya set all of the craziest and most honest expectations about Japan that I didn't even have much culture shock when I got there. I just remember the time as super crazy fun and the feeling of excitement of getting to go to Japanese classes and speak lots of Japanese with newly found friends. At first, I wasn't really sure whether Nagoya as a city would be able to offer what Tokyo does but I couldn't have made a better choice of studying in Nagoya. It's a wonderful city to deeply learn about Japanese culture as it resembles a big city with a small town feel. Nanzan University was also one of the only universities that offer classes in traditional arts, such as calligraphy, tea ceremony and flower arranging. These art forms are essential elements to Japan's rich culture that one wouldn't want to miss trying out. The on-site coordinators (shout out to Masae-san and Satoshi-sensei!) were always there for us and sent us lots of updates, but definitely were not babysitting us. Thanks to the program and my awesome coordinators, me and my study abroad pals were able to balance our classroom life with diverse weekend field trips to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Nara and so many more historically enriching and fascinating places. Besides from just traveling, the program and Nanzan University, its direct partner, provided us with tons of cultural events that we can attend. It ranged from soba-making in Magome town to an afternoon spent in Japan Plaza speaking only in Japanese to local students, to visiting Toyota factory and learning about its "just-in-time" car-making process. I went in with an empty mindset so that I could absorb everything and anything I could have encountered, and it was all worth it! Although my program ended a few months ago, the experience is still freshly painted my mind and the feeling of nostalgia still lingers. It would be a dream come true if I can return and maybe live there someday.

My choice to study abroad in Japan, with IES Abroad Nanzan in particular, was probably the best decision I've made to date. The administrators of the program are very helpful, those who help you with the application process and those on site in Japan. This program offers spectacular trips around Japan that other abroad programs don't necessarily offer. I was amazing to be able to see all of these great cultural cities that, if i had had to plan myself, I probably would not have been able to see. My home stay was a very authentic view of Japanese culture. Admittedly, it was hard to get used to at first, but my family was very nice and went the extra mile to make my stay comfortable. Nanzan University offers a large variety of clubs to join and it has a center called The Japan Plaza where students can go to speak only Japanese and get help from other international students as well as native Japanese students. The university itself also offers trips that you can go on in addition to the ones held by IES. The Japanese education system is different from the American one, so it can be frustrating at times, but the teachers at Nanzan are very approachable and willing to help. Studying in Japan really made me comfortable speaking Japanese on a daily basis, to the point where upon my return it occasionally felt strange to speak in English. IF you have the chance to study abroad with IES, it would be a mistake not to take it.

IES Tokyo made for the best possible experience of immersing myself into the Tokyo lifestyle. From the beginning, the coordinators were extremely helpful and organized -- both in Chicago and on-site. The Tokyo center staff were always available when you had any sort of issue, which was very helpful. The E-pal program is honestly what's lacking from any study abroad program that doesn't implement it. Before you even go to Japan, you're paired with someone at the university (Kanda University) who becomes your built-in local friend from the start. Because of all the organized activities planned for IES students and their e-pals, it's easy to make friends with others' e-pals as well, diminishing any worries about making friends with locals while abroad. Don't wait until the middle of the semester like I did -- start hanging out in Kanda's section called SALC: it's an English-only part of campus where Japanese students come looking for foreigners to practice their English with, and it makes it so much easier to make friends! Also, opting for a host family over a dorm room was the best decision I'd made. My family was extremely welcoming and I experienced a lot with them that I couldn't have on my own. While anyone can come to Tokyo, IES makes sure your four months abroad are as immersive and exciting and educational as they should be. I couldn't have chosen a better program provider.