Study Japanese through intensive language training and exciting activities. Explore vibrant Tokyo neighborhoods and stay with a host family in a different region.
Art
Certificate
Culinary
Language
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 host community visit. Learn to cook homemade soba noodles or roll your own sushi with a family. Learn about Japanese history by visiting shrines and museums and take an excursion to Hiroshima to visit the historic Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum.
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.
The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Japan, you will learn:
TECHNICAL SKILLS
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.
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 alum, Japan
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.
Orientation in Tokyo
During this period, you and your group will stay in a dormitory-style youth center.
Thematic Focus in Tokyo or Osaka
Tokyo
Depending on group size, Group 1 will continue to explore Tokyo.
During this period, you and your group will stay in a dormitory-style youth center.
Osaka
Depending on group size, Group 2 will travel to Osaka be based in the region.
During this period, you and your group will stay in a dormitory-style youth center.
Hiroshima Stay
During this period, you and your group will stay at a hotel.
Homestay and Host Community Visit
During this period, you will stay with a homestay family and in hostel accommodations near the host community.
Sample host communities: Sagamihara, Yokohama
Program Reflection and Wrap-up in Tokyo
During the reflection period, you and your group will stay in a hotel near Narita airport.
Departure
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.
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Education: Earlham College
Experience in: Japan, Thailand
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.
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