Japan

Language & Culture

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Study Japanese through intensive language training and exciting activities. Explore vibrant Tokyo neighborhoods and live with a family in a different region.  

  • Art

  • Certificate

  • Culinary

  • Language

WHY STUDY LANGUAGE IN JAPAN?

Land in Tokyo for orientation, where you will begin Japanese classes and practice writing systems like hiragana and kanji. Your language skills will develop through 60+ hours of direct exposure in formal classes, with host family interactions, peer-to-peer practice, and more. Because English is not widely spoken in Japan, you will have countless opportunities for immersion. You’ll also enjoy sushi and indulge in handmade noodles at the city’s famed ramen shops. You will learn what Tokyo’s exciting and unique districts have to offer, including anime and manga in Akihabara and the colorful fashion scene in Harajuku. 

Continue practicing your Japanese and deepen your understanding of culture and family life during your homestay. Learn to cook homemade soba noodles or roll your own sushi with your host family. Participate in cultural activities such as the art of Japanese calligraphy, learn Zen meditation, or experience a traditional tea ceremony. 

At the conclusion of this program, students will earn a language certificate noting the number of hours of language training completed through formal classes and experiential learning. 

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Japan, you will learn: 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Japanese language  
  • Japanese calligraphy 
  • Japanese cooking 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Resourcefulness 
  • Intercultural communication and understanding  
  • Problem-solving  
  • Adaptability  
  • Relationship-building  

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Physical activities may include hiking.
  • Explore urban life by foot (lots of walking!) and learn to navigate the public transit system.
  • Meat, seafood, rice, and noodles are staples of Japanese cuisine and may require some planning ahead for vegan and vegetarian diets.
  • Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity will vary.
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity,  and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Filling

Program Date

Jul 4 - Jul 31

Prerequisite

None

Program Fee*

$7,420.00

(does not include airfare)
Group Airfare Cost

TBD

*Program fees may increase by
$500 -$1000 to account for changes
to lodging accommodations.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Certificate of completion
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • All program activities
  • In-country transportation
  • Health insurance
  • Experienced group leaders
TALK TO AN ALUM
Questions? Ask Us! APPLY NOW
I will never forget my trip to Japan with The Experiment! I've never felt so welcome in a new space and thrilled to keep learning. Whether it was exploring with my group, playing with my host siblings, eating amazing food, hanging out with local students, or attending language classes, every day was amazing!

MARSHALL, The Experiment alumnus, Japan

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.

View Itinerary Details

Days 1-17

Orientation and Thematic Focus in Tokyo 

  • Get to know other members of your group while exploring diverse neighborhoods such as Shibuya and Harajuku. 
  • Make your way through the city by way of a scavenger hunt; navigate the city using public transportation; and sample Japanese cuisine. 
  • Become immersed in the Japanese language and culture through interactive small-group language classes. This includes placement tests on the first day followed by interactive lessons that you can apply by practicing during activities throughout Tokyo. 
  • Learn about the history and culture of Japan through site visits of historical significance such as the Meiji Jingu Shrine. 
  • Learn to cook Japanese cuisine and build community with fellow Experimenters.  
  • Learn about Shibuya, the center of Japanese youth fashion and culture. 
  • Participate in traditional Japanese candy making. 
  • Visit iconic locations such as the Sky Tree and Shibuya crossing.
  • Learn about the daily lives of Japanese youth by visiting a local high school. 

During this period, you and your group will stay at a nonprofit center. 

Days 18-24

Homestay 

  • Become fully immersed in the daily life of a Japanese family and community.
  • Explore your host community and the surrounding area with your group. Sample activities include:
    • Participation in a tea ceremony 
    • Practicing Japanese calligraphy  
    • A visit to a high school to interact with local students by lunching together and participating in their club activities  
  • An excursion to Kamakura to experience the cultural importance of temples and shrines.  

During this period, you will stay in the home of a family.  

Day 25

Program Reflection and Wrap-up in Tokyo 

  • Reflect with your group on your experiences during the program. 

During the reflection period, you and your group will stay in a  hotel near Narita airport. 

Day 26

Departure 

Experienced Group Leaders

The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.

LEADER HIGHLIGHT

Allie Barnes

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Education: Earlham College
Experience in: Japan, Thailand

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Allie is a veteran leader, having had five wonderful experiences co-leading The Experiment’s Japan and Thailand programs. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Allie Barnes graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. She spent her junior year studying at Waseda University while living with a host family in Tokyo, Japan. After college, she spent a year serving at a high school in Sitka, Alaska, as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Allie has a master’s in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. She has also worked in The Experiment Office. A former English as a new language teacher, Allie currently teaches Japanese at a middle school in Louisville, KY. Allie jumps at the chance to explore more of the world; besides her trips to Japan and Thailand, she has also traveled to South Korea, France, Italy, Canada, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Allie loves to swim, dance, rock climb, hike, or just park on the couch with a good book or TV show.