Japanese Study Abroad Programs

Fabulous time with these bunch of amazing people. They instructors did a great job and went the extra mile to explain me all my questions in detail. I know myself very well I can be demanding so I really appreciate their patience😉 The events were top-notch and they had such a great time exploring the city and engaging in a lot of cultural events. Two weeks were not enough! Next time I make sure to stay in Kenai for at least two months!

Simply fabulous and full of culinary experiences were my two weeks in Osaka. The instructors were very well organized and classes were fun. My class was small with only three other students, which I personally preferred. The school location is within less than 10 minutes walking distance from Shinsaibashi subway station which made it super central. A lot of foodie spots around and yes I had almost every other day takoyaki or okonomiyaki! Osaka is really Japan’s kitchen hub No.1! And let me not start about the crazy karaoke and club nights I had😁 Highly recommend.

Hi, I am Sterre. This review comes rather late, but after returning to Japan two years later, I felt it was still worth writing. I went to Japan with World Campus in Session 3 of 2024. During those three weeks, I stayed in Abiko, Mito and Tama. The actual World Campus programme included a wide range of activities: tours, museums, school visits, company visits, workshops such as karate and kendo, and all kinds of interactions, activities and games with local communities, students, clubs and host families. At the end of every week there was an Arigatoo event. In my case, this involved eating a lot of good food, talking to everyone and anyone, and dancing the Kabouter Plop dance. The Arigatoo event can be scary or a bit daunting at first, but I enjoyed them very much. One thing worth knowing is that WorldCampus is not a typical travel organisation. You follow a structured programme, so there isn't a lot of free time for sightseeing. For me, this wasn't a bad thing, as I got to experience Japan in ways I probably wouldn't have as a regular tourist. My fondest memories are connected to the people I spent my time with. One of the biggest values of World Campus, in my opinion, is that it connects people from all over the world. On the one hand, you spend three weeks travelling with people from different countries. Some of these people have become good friends, and even after two years we still meet up in different countries whenever we happen to be in the same place. On the other hand, you get to spend time with host families. For me, these families have become my people in Japan: people I could reach out to when I was there. And that is something I appreciated even more after returning to Japan two years later. In the two years between my World Campus trip and my return to Japan, we didn't stay in constant contact, but the connection was never completely gone either. I sent a letter to my host families after about a year, and with one family in particular, I also stayed in touch through occasional messages. Then, when I came back to Japan for a five-month exchange, I made sure to visit all three host families I had met through World Campus. Just like two years ago, I was invited to stay with them, and we went to different places, had barbecues and dinners, visited museums, and simply spent time together. One family in particular, the family that lived closest to where I was staying during my exchange, has come to feel like much more than just a host family. They are people I can reach out to when something happens, people I can visit when I'm in Japan, and people I would also do a lot for. That, to me, is what made World Campus so special. I didn't just get three weeks of experiences in Japan. I made connections that lasted beyond those three weeks. I had a blast with World Campus. I would have loved to go again, maybe even for all 3 sessions at once, but unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow it in the near future. Even so, I am very happy that I was able to spend at least one session with World Campus. Two years later, I can honestly say that I am still grateful I went.

I had fun in my two weeks I've been there. The events were very unique and different from what I have experienced years ago when I went to Tokyo at another school. Osaka people are much friendlier and warmer. The school helped me a lot with finding an accommodation and also assisting with info for food recommendations as I'm Vegan. The community is very inclusive and I never felt insecure or unsafe. If I could do it all over again I would go for Osaka for sure.

Osaka hat richtig geflasht! Meine Zeit hier war einfach nur genial und ich habe viele Freunde kennen gelernt. Der Unterricht war sehr gechillt und die Lehrer waren super nett. Die Location von der Schule ist auch sehr zentral. Shinsaibashi Station ist ein kurzer Spaziergang entfernt, aber das geilste war die extrem fashionlastige und kunterbunte Amemmura Nachbarstadt mit coolen Cafés, sehr extrovertierten Leuten und einer lebendigen Nightlife Szene. Kann Meiji und Osaka nur sehr empfehlen.

2026 so far has been a year of adventure and my month at LTL Osaka was a definitely a stand out experience! The initial application process was straightforward. The Director of Studies, Hiyori Ito, was extremely responsive and great at answering my questions. I felt like I had a connection to the programme right from the beginning. Going into my first day I was extremely nervous. Prior to LTL, I had no experience with Japanese output as I’d only studied the language from textbooks. Despite this, the LTL learning approach was accommodating to my skill level – adapting to where my strengths and weakness were across listening, reading, speaking and writing. LTL employs a conversational approach to learning. Using the textbook as a guide, we covered new grammar and vocabulary points with the majority of the learning being conducted in Japanese. At first this was quite intense but with the teachers help it becomes the best method of learning through exposure. All the teachers were friendly and approachable. I elected to do both group and one-on-one sessions. My daily schedule was slightly overwhelming so I don’t recommend it for everyone but for people who work well in a fast paced environment, I felt it expedited my learning experience tremendously. In the group class we worked through the majority of the Genki 2. I had previously gone through this textbook but it was really beneficial to revisit the grammar constructions and vocabulary with a teacher present. Things I never fully understood the first time, now I feel like I’ve really solidified. Furthermore, being able to delve into the textbook’s content alongside other students allowed me to practice outputting the grammar in a safe and enjoyable environment. In addition to the group classes, I participated in one-on-one classes every afternoon. This was a valuable asset. Throughout the one-on-one classes I set the priority of developing my conversation skill as I felt that was most vital for daily interactions. Due to these sessions being less structured, I was able to revisit basic grammar as well as use what I had learn in the group classes. These classes ended up being my favourite. Over the month I had developed a strong repot with many teachers. From a personal standpoint, I think LTL is best suited for people looking to have a passionate learning experience, focusing more so on developing your ability to speak real Japanese rather than passing the JLPT (it’s definitely visible through LTL but not the main goal). LTL conjures a more relaxed environment, feeling less like a strict school and more like an hyper-invested language club! Outside of class, Hiyori regularly plans group activities such as trips around Osaka or group dinners. Additionally, thanks to the close-nit feeling from the other students during my tenure at the school, we would made plans together for food or drink. On school days during lesson breaks and lunch breaks both teachers and students would hang out in the spacious common area. By not separating the students and teachers it created more opportunity to practice Japanese as well as letting us get to know each other, teacher and student, in a less formal setting. I’d like to highlight a few teachers who really made an impact on me during my time in Osaka: Naomi, Nanaho and Sae Sensei made group classes a joy. We engaged in lots of fun discourse around the textbook. As well as lots of laugher playing vocabulary games and learning about Japanese culture. A massive thank you to Satoko and Hiroko Sensei for creating such friendly atmospheres during our one-on-one classes. I can firmly attribute much of my Japanese progression to their help. Every class was fun yet contained the perfect balance of conversation and teaching. By the end of my time at LTL I felt as if my conversational flow had drastically improved thanks to the consistent and attentive corrections to my speaking made by Hiroko and Satoko. We had many long discussions about a variety of topics but it never felt intimidating due to the pace of the conversation as well as us stopping to discuss grammar and vocabulary throughout. As a place to live and study for an extended period of time I can wholeheartedly recommend Osaka. The city is very well connected by public transport, the underground system is convenient and affordable. Furthermore, for weekend trips Osaka is perfectly central in the Kansai-region offering amazing excursions to surrounding areas such as Kobe, Nara and the various waking trails or tradition villages. Lastly, but maybe most importantly, during my time studying I also engaged in the homestay programme. Without a doubt this was the highlight of my time in Osaka. Getting to experience life with a family abroad is an eye opening experience and something I’d definitely want to do again. When being inducted to LTL, if you select to do a homestay, you can provider preferences for what kind of house you want to stay in, such as ‘being with other students or alone’ or ‘the families level of English’ – in my case, I was the only foreigner with a family where they spoke little English. After the month I truly felt I’d made a connection with the host family. Many nights after dinner we’d talk for hours, with a little help from google translate, on all manor of topics and discussing each-other’s culture. I’d play video games with the kids and join them on weekend trips to the river or out for food. The entire time I felt so warmly welcomed and accommodated both in my language ability and in comfort around the house. Being able to communicate with them became a massive motivator for me to put more effort into my studies! Many thanks again to the LTL Osaka team!

LTL Language School responded to this reviewAugust 27, 2026

Wow Luke! We are thrilled the homestay became the highlight of your month in Osaka! Hiyori, Naomi, Nanaho, Sae, Satoko and Hiroko sensei will all love reading this. Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed review. Keep up the great work studying Japanese and we hope to see you back at LTL soon! LTL Team

Studying abroad was the best choice I've ever made. Worldstrides, as a partnership program, was the best. The first week, we met for orientation in Cairns, Australia, and they took care of hotel and excursion expenses (this includes the Great Barrier Reef). It was a great first week getting introduced to Australia and my program. They were very helpful before and during my time in Australia, always there for questions, concerns, and planning a handful of group activities + one overnight trip! They were truly a blessing while abroad.

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.

I started going to LTL Osaka in the beginning of July 2026. From the beginning, Hiyori Ito, the Director of Studies, was very helpful and was ready to answer any questions that I had as I arrived in Japan. Hiyori planned one to two weekly events with students that ranged from a field trip or a meal with students. This made it really easy to make friends and experience Japanese culture in a way I wouldn't have had the opportunity without these adventures. Additionally, I learned so much from the teachers at LTL Osaka. Going in, I had finished the first 6 lessons of Genki I textbook, and quickly finished the textbook after about 2-3 weeks. Although the pace is fast, I found it very easy to adjust. I had the privilege of having one-on-one lessons where I was in more control of what I learned, and what I wanted to focus on. Sometimes if I felt that I had not grasped a concept completely, I would just have a review day with a teacher, or if I wanted to just practice my Japanese and have a conversation, that was an option too. I would recommend this school if your goal with the Japanese language is to gain conversational skills, immerse yourself in the culture, learn more about the grammar, or even for those who are traveling. LTL really allows you to customize your learning experience, even when you start, which was one of the main selling points for me when I was considering LTL among other schools. If your goal is to pass the JLPT in as little time as possible, that is still achievable with LTL, however, I think that one would need to do a lot of outside studying as well. Despite all of the teachers at LTL being exceptional, the ones that I would like to highlight are Nanaho, Kagawa, Tanaka, and Junichi. Each one brought their own unique teaching style which really exposed me to the various aspects of the Japanese language and culture. With Nanaho sensei, we focused on vocabulary and she ensured that I understood a grammar point. If I was confused I was not afraid to ask her a question and found it very easy to talk to her. We laughed all the time and she would even join me in dancing to songs on our 10 minute breaks. In Kagawa sensei’s class, we only talked in Japanese. She talked at a slower pace and used vocabulary words that I knew, so that I could understand her. I got a lot of Japanese conversation practice with her, often not using the exercises within a textbook, instead putting them into a real world context. Tanaka sensei really helped me understand and practice short forms in Japanese and we often ended the last hour to thirty minutes focusing on kanji. I remember laughing all the time and having a very positive experience with her. I have to attribute a large part of my flow improvement to Junichi sensei. When first speaking, he noticed that I had trouble with the flow of the Japanese language. He helped me through speech exercises and helped me find the rhythm within the language. All of these teachers were outstanding and I enjoyed having various teachers because each one taught in their own way and helped me improve in many different aspects. Furthermore, I stayed with a host family for the duration of my time at LTL. One of my concerns when going into this journey was whether or not the homestay would be clean and safe. The homestay exceeded my expectations and Hiyori would always ask me about what was happening in the homestay and if I needed anything. I could not recommend this program enough. If you are considering attending LTL Osaka school, I think that this could be the best decision in your Japanese language journey. I would love to return in the future.

LTL Language School responded to this reviewAugust 05, 2026

Love to hear it, Nicolas and the pictures of you and your friends and the staff are just so nice! We're so happy Hiyori accommodated you and made sure you had a blast in Osaka with us and equally delighted you had a great time with your teachers too. Thanks so much for sharing your story and we hope you come back soon :) LTL Team

Spending a week in Isa City with World Campus International was one of the most memorable parts of my time in Japan. Staying with a local host family gave me the opportunity to experience Japanese culture in a way that simply wouldn't have been possible as a tourist. From sharing meals together to learning about everyday life, every moment felt authentic and meaningful. Each day brought a new experience, whether it was planting rice, visiting local schools and meeting students, exploring historic shrines, learning about traditional wine-making, or taking part in community activities. Every experience helped me better understand the culture while creating memories I'll never forget. The food was incredible, the people were unbelievably welcoming, and the unique experiences were amazing. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for an immersive, hands-on cultural experience that they'll remember for years to come.

I came into the homestay program a little nervous what to expect and if I would even enjoy it. However on the first night when I was assigned my family and walking up to greet them I know that I would love every second of it. I truly can not express in this review how dear to me my host family is. Every night we sat down at the dinner table I felt like one of their own children and I am sincerely grateful for everything they shared with me. I had travelled around Japan for 2 weeks with prior with the Shirane Foundation and experience the culture of Japan for a touristy perspective but this homestay opened me up to see the true beauty of Japan in a way very few visitor get to see. From the simple thing of the unique bathroom to the everyday mannerism. All in all this review does not give justice to the wonderful experience I had and the amazing people I had the honor of meeting and share a few days of my life with.

I came into the home-stay completely unsure of what to expect but that aspect made this experience so great. As a first time visitor to Japan I was super nervous to immerse myself into Japanese culture and a brand new host family. It seemed like something I would never do and honestly it felt unreal. However, as soon as I met my host family I was showered with so much care and comfort. They made me feel like family from day one. I actually met most of my host family's sisters and brothers day one then later I met a lot of their friends and their families. It was amazing to be able to speak to such a wide variety of people! I was learning so much about Japanese culture and customs. Everyday was so unique and my host family always did their best to make my time as enjoyable as they could. For example, other than taking me to meet so much of their family, they took me to shrines, parks, and different cities in the area. It truly felt like I was in a new world and my host family was giving me the opportunity to experience it all. I can not recommend this experience enough. Being with my host family was such an invaluable experience I will never forget. Additionally, another aspect that made this experience so great was the activities I did with World Campus International. Everyday morning after an afternoon with my host family we were taken to do different activities in the home-stay area - immersing myself deeper in Japanese culture. Some of my favorite activities were going to an OSEN (Japanese bath house) . I have never been so relaxed after taking a bath. It was an experience I can not imagine having anywhere else. Furthermore, going to a Junior-High school was such a great experience. I got to meet students such as myself and learn what it meant to live and learn in Japan. I made a lot of friends that I still talk to today. Then I had a lot of fun at a Park Golf activity we did. We had the chance to golf with Japanese locals that were REALLY GOOD at golf. The locals were super nice and it was great to learn a little about the golf world from a different perspective. The locals I played with gave me a lot of tips to improve my game and like everything on this trip it was just amazing to do this experience. Firstly, none of this would be possible without World Campus International so Thank you to them. All the staff made me feel involved and immersed in every activity. Making sure everyone knew exactly how what we were doing that day contributed to Japanese culture. A lot of thanks goes to them as well for making sure we were in the right places when we needed to be. Secondly, this experience may be scary at first but it is truly remarkable. I can not recommend this program enough. I have gained a better understanding of Japanese culture than I would of just visiting cities. I was taught more things then I can count and I feel I gained the understanding required to come back on my own! If you are looking for the experience of your life then please apply for this experience. Lastly, I recommend to anyone applying to the program to be very open minded. This program will challenge you to step completely outside your comfort zone. If you embrace this fact it will elevate your trip, without a doubt. Thank you World Campus International!

Spending a week in Isa City with World Campus International was easily the highlight of my time in Japan.Staying with a local host family allowed me to experience the culture on a deeply personal level. Every single day was packed with unforgettable experiences: planting rice in the local fields, visiting schools to connect with local students, exploring historic shrines, and learning about the fascinating traditional wine-making process The food was delicious, the cultural immersion was unmatched, and I left with incredibly close friends from all over the world. I cannot recommend this program enough to anyone looking for a unique, hands-on, and heartwarming adventure

Thanks to my experience with World Campus Japan I created life-long connections, not only with the other participants, but also with the local Japanese communities encountered during the trip. The constant and active cultural exchange is what makes this program deeply unique. On the one hand, the fellow participants and staff members all proved to be caring, responsible, interesting, and like-minded people, and therefore enabled me to feel safe and at home, despite being on the other side of the world. On the other, the Japanese host families revealed their kindness and availability, by welcoming us all in their lives and treating us like family. The days were all full of stimulating activities, and their variety allowed us to experience the Japanese culture in all its aspects. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a way to familiarize with Japan, its people, language, landscape, and traditions. The amount of gratitude (mixed with a lot of nostalgia) I felt after completing the program further highlighted the impact it had in my life. I will never forget my days in Japan with World Campus.