Information for term High School Abroad in Japan
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenImprove your Japanese significantly as you live and study in this unique and wonderful culture.
A land of four main islands (and more than 6,000 smaller ones), Japan has beautiful natural views as well as vibrant mega-cities. It also boasts amazing cuisine such as sushi, ramen, and sweet curry; efficient and reliable public transportation; and friendly locals. Five days a week, you’ll experience life at a public or private high school, taking classes taught in Japanese. Fully immersed in teen life, lingo, and both traditional and pop culture, you’ll make huge strides in language proficiency before you know it. On weekends, enjoy the company of your homestay by doing things like playing games, eating delicious home-cooked food, and visiting local shrines and temples.
Follow our Travels:
The Take-Aways
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Language Proficiency
Our program provides students with 150 language contact hours in just a few weeks.
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Global Citizenship
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.
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College Readiness
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
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said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
93% -
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
96% -
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
79%
Location & Culture
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The Destination
Buddhist temples, Zen gardens, and the pop-tech wonder of Tokyo — study, live, and learn in Japan for an unforgettable life experience.
Picture yourself in Japan:
Getting a feel for Japanese slang during lunch with new classmates. Finding your voice and a flair for performance during a night of karaoke with friends. Learning how to hand-roll sushi with your host mother or host father.
Whether you’re placed in Kyoto or Tokyo or the surrounding suburbs, you’ll discover the rich culture and history that Japan has to offer, both in class and through your own personal explorations. You’ll advance your Japanese language skills through intensive study and casual conversation, and build practical, real-world skills that will serve you in college and beyond.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Japan.
Orientation
Upon arriving in Japan with your fellow participants, you will be met by CIEE staff at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. As a group, you will travel into the heart of Tokyo where you will begin your three-day orientation. During orientation, you will participate in different activities and workshops focusing on a variety of themes – culture, language, academics, social norms, current events – all designed to best prepare you for your experience in Japan. Additionally, you’ll see some of the best that Tokyo has to offer!
Enjoy spending time in Japan’s most dynamic, exciting city! You’ll laugh over incredible food during group meals each evening, while getting to know CIEE staff and other participants. You and the other participants will do a bit of sightseeing before departing for your host community to spend a couple of days with your homestay before starting school.
Daily Life
Click to OpenDaily Life
"Since it was Spring Break and I had plenty of time, I decided that I should go to the 名古屋科学館 (Nagoya Kagakukan) Nagoya Science Museum..."
Learn more about daily life on a high school study abroad program.
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Hotel or hostel during three-day orientation in Tokyo, then carefully screened homestay in the Greater Kyoto or Tokyo
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Local Coordinator in country and CIEE support staff available 24/7
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Activities
Click to OpenSample Activities
Japan is a country of dramatic contrasts and a fascinating place to study. From the cutting-edge tech center of Tokyo to serene Zen gardens, the “Land of the Rising Sun” is rich in culture (both pop and traditional) as well as natural beauty. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit places that suit your taste: museums, anime or manga studios, kitschy cat cafés, imperial palaces, and famous shrines and temples. Nearly every Japanese town has at least one Buddhist temple, while if placed in Greater Kyoto you will have quick access to several hundred.
Whether you are in Greater Tokyo or Kyoto, all CIEE participants are only a bus or bullet-train ride away from a range of amazing destinations. You’ll have a whole year or semester to discover the country — on your own, with new CIEE friends, and with your homestay. Additionally, many Japanese high schools offer trips a few times throughout the academic year so you’ll likely be able to join classmates in exploring a new corner of the country!
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. For Fall 2021, local health and safety guidelines may not allow for overnight excursions or day trips. Participants will be updated as the program start date comes closer.
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Eligibility
At the time of departure, students must:
- Be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and they cannot have their 18th birthday while on program
- Have a minimum 1 academic year of formal Japanese (example: high school or college-level course)
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing
- Be in excellent health
- Demonstrate, through the application process, their flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
Program fee includes international airfare and iNext travel insurance. Full inclusions are found online.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year 2022 39 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 10, 2022* | Jun 11, 2023* |
$18,750 |
| Fall 2022 15 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 10, 2022* | Dec 23, 2022* |
$15,750 |
| Academic Year 2023 38 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 13, 2023* | Jun 8, 2024* |
$18,750 |
| Spring 2023 15 weeks | Deadline Passed | Apr 9, 2023* | Jul 23, 2023* |
$15,750 |
| Fall 2023 13 weeks | Deadline Passed | Sep 13, 2023* | Dec 16, 2023* |
$16,500 |
| Spring 2024 15 weeks | Jul 15, 2023 | Apr 13, 2024* | Jul 27, 2024* |
$16,500 |
*Start and end dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Schools in this location confirm their academic calendar in late spring. Once enrolled in this program, our team will communicate the confirmed dates when they are published.
Ready to change your life?
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