Make friends and new family members from around the world and develop skills, experience, and maturity that equip you for success in an increasingly globalized world – all while you’re still in high school!

High School Program Details

• Placement in a Japanese high school for a semester or academic year
• Placement with a carefully-selected host family
• Coordinator support throughout the year
• One year of previous Japanese study required. Students should be able to write Hiragana and at least their own name in Katakana. Students are strongly encouraged to learn as much Japanese as possible prior to the program
• Comprehensive health and accident insurance
• Round-trip airfare included
• Orientation camp included
• Application Deadlines:
  • September Start Programs (US fall semester (Sept 2027 – Jan 2028) and US academic year (Sept 2027 – June 2028): March 30, 2027
  • April Start Programs (US spring semester (April 2027 – July 2027) and Japanese academic year (April 2027 – January 2028): November 30, 2026 
  • Early enrollment is strongly encouraged as spots may be limited.

Note on eligibility: 

Japan tends to be more strict on eligibility requirements for students due to local customs, laws, and cultural differences. In general, students with specific dietary requirements (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) or severe allergies cannot be accommodated by the program. Additionally, Japan will not accept students who require ongoing medication or doctor’s care, and may not accept students with any history of mental/emotional illness or disorders including but not limited to ADD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, eating disorders, etc. Students must be between 15 and 18 years old upon arrival in Japan and cannot have graduated from their high school in the United States. Students who have not yet completed 9th grade in the US prior to their departure are not eligible as high school in Japan starts with grade 10. Student must have been enrolled as full-time students at an accredited American middle or high school for the past 3 years to be eligible (students who have been homeschooled or have attended online classes during the past 3 years will not be eligible). Japan requires a higher GPA than our other programs and students with any Ds or Fs on their transcript will not be eligible.