Fall Study Abroad Programs in Tokyo, Japan

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend my fall semester studying in Tokyo with Middlebury College. Since I tested into the J5 level Japanese language class, I had the opportunity to take two classes with local students taught entirely in Japanese, challenging myself to not only comprehend lectures at a high language level but also communicate with my peers at a college level. Even though the campus was an hour away from Tokyo's center, the convenient public transportation made it very easy to go out into the city with friends. We even made outside of the prefecture to Saitama, Osaka, Tottori and more on breaks and weekends, exploring Japan while we could. I found that, through this program, we had a lot of space to immerse ourselves in Japan's vibrant and diverse culture and become a part of the city ourselves. Additionally, the program put an emphasis on sustainable development, which taught me how to be more environmentally aware and live sustainably. This instilled positive habits into my lifestyle, which I find myself still enforcing today even though I have returned to my home country. Overall, Middlebury's program gave me an amazing space to advance my Japanese language skills while exploring Tokyo as a city.

I feel I was able to learn a lot of valuable lessons through this experience. I've grown in maturity, independence, and learned how to adapt when things didn't work out the way I expected. I felt this program taught me how to take charge and flourish in newfound confidence. With CIEE, the communication was always available and staff were friendly and kind. However with the activities, I did find we were a bit pressed for time with a majority of them due to starting late. Despite that, the activities and day trips were super memorable and fun! Overall, I'd highly recommend this program.

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 feel I was able to learn a lot of valuable lessons through this experience. I've grown in maturity, independence, and learned how to adapt when things didn't work out the way I expected. I felt this program taught me how to take charge and flourish in newfound confidence. With CIEE, the communication was always available and staff were friendly and kindThe activities and day trips were super memorable and fun! Overall, I'd highly recommend this program.

i would highly recommend the CIEE study abroad program to my friend or peer because it is super fun and interesting, also brings us a wonderful opportunity to explore and experience different environments, and allows us to put ourselves in a brand new and completely different surrounding, which is breaking our comfort zone. After you make a new friend and become familiar with the surroundings, you will feel achievement and won't wanna leave !!!!

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!

Studying abroad at Meiji Gakuin University through CIS Abroad was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. The classes were well-structured, and the intensive language course was especially effective. Having studied Japanese for two years before the program, I noticed a huge improvement in my skills thanks to this course. The International Center on campus was also an invaluable resource—whether I had questions about clubs, classes, or just needed extra support. They regularly hosted cultural experiences on campus, which were fun and a great way to meet Japanese students. Outside the classroom, the program offered countless opportunities to experience everyday life in Japan. Living in Totsuka, Yokohama, was incredible. I stayed in a dorm with both Japanese and international students, which made it easy to build friendships and feel part of a community right away. The friendships I formed there are ones I know will last a lifetime. The dorm’s location—just five minutes from a major station—also made it easy to travel to Yokohama, Tokyo, and even beachside towns, so there was always something new to explore. CIS provided amazing support throughout the entire journey. From the moment I arrived in Japan, they were there to greet me at the airport and guide me through my first days. Their cultural excursions took us to amazing places and gave us the chance to see sides of Japan we might not have discovered on our own. I always felt reassured knowing I had their support when I needed it. Overall, my semester at MGU with CIS was eye-opening, challenging in the best ways, and truly unforgettable. I came into the program hoping to grow as a person, become more confident, and learn to be more independent—and this experience gave me all of that and more.

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.

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.

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 attended KCP International after my first year taking Japanese at university. In the beginning, I was nervous about attending a language school, but I ended up enjoying the program. I will say with full confidence that your Japanese will improve immensely. With the Summer short-term program, I could grasp conversational Japanese, and my skills are still utilized today. What sets KCP apart from other programs is its dedication to teaching its students and the fully immersive environment that it creates in the classroom. First, the textbook they use is completely in Japanese so you learn to think in Japanese, and you don't immediately associate it with an English equivalent word. Secondly, they give you a proficiency test a week or two after the program starts which makes it so you're comfortable at the level you were placed at. Lastly, your classmates usually come from all over the world, so the language your classmates share is Japanese. You will leave the program with new friends, new experiences, better conversational Japanese, and confidence in yourself. The people I met during KCP and the program truly unlocked my new chapter in life. I will always be thankful for this opportunity to study at KCP. So if you're on the fence about whether to choose this program for either the start of your language journey or to further improve your Japanese, then please choose KCP International.

I have made life long friends that I would have never expected. And besides staying in Tokyo I had the opportunity to travel to Hokkaido, Osaka, and Kyoto which has brought even more core memories for me to look back on everyday.

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 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.

Being able to return to Japan had been a lifelong goal of mine. It had been around 7+ years since I had last gone and I wanted to truly have an amazing college experience in Japan. I was lucky enough to find TEAN with my International Dean and was able to make it work out. The people with TEAN were always there to help me if I ever needed anything, especially medically. However, it allowed me to finally become more independent and be able to practice the Japanese I was learning in my Japanese I class at JF Oberlin. The results were that I was able to make some lifelong friends, both RJ and Japanese students, and experience some amazing sporting and cultural events. I hope in the future I can study in Japan for graduate school. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in studying abroad in Japan to consider going through TEAN.

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