Program Length Options:
- Academic Year - September to June
- Semester - Fall (September to January) or Spring ( January to June)
- Short-Term Programs - Flexible options, with a minimum stay of 4 weeks
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply early to secure your spot.
Program Requirements:
- 15-18 years old (student must not turn 19 during the program period)
- Currently enrolled high school student
- 2.5 GPA or higher - minimum grade of C in all subjects over the past year
- Flexible and mature personality - desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences.
- Minimum 6 months of Japanese language study before the program, accepted candidates will be asked to pass a language proficiency test
To ensure that students have the language skills necessary to successfully integrate into their host community, students interested in participating in the Fall, Spring, or Academic Year programs in Japan must have formally studied Japanese for at least 6 months and be able to pass our language exam. The more Japanese a student knows, the faster they will be able to adjust to life at school and within the community, whether staying with a host family or in a dormitory. To ease their adjustment, it is important for students to try speaking Japanese as much as possible with their host family, dormitory mates, friends, and teachers.
This program is not advisable for those students who have strict dietary requirements. While typical Japanese meals include plenty of fresh vegetables and fish, strict vegetarian diets are uncommon.
Program Details:
Ayusa Study Abroad students who choose to study in Japan have the option to stay with carefully selected host families or in school dormitories. Placement areas in the past were Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, Gifu, Osaka, Kyushu, and Okinawa. The family and dormitory life are both integral to Japanese society, each embodying strong values of reputation, obligation, and responsibility. Whether staying with a host family or in a school dorm, students will experience these core aspects of Japanese culture, with support from a local representative to assist in adjusting to life in Japan.
Academic Year and Fall Semester students arrive in Japan for an orientation, which includes an overnight stay in Tokyo. Each year, Japanese schools hold optional events such as a school festival, athletic event, or off campus learning activities. Additional costs may apply if you choose to participate.
School Life
High school life in Japan follows a clear structure that balances academic study with community belonging. There is a designated teacher in charge of all exchange students at each school. He or she places each student in a homeroom class and decides which subjects each student will take. In general, Japanese high schools do not offer many electives; students generally choose only between fine art, music, or calligraphy. Students stay in the same classroom all day and the teachers move from room to room. This allows exchange students to integrate quickly into the class community. The average class consists of about 40 students.
Life in Japanese high schools is well-organized, lively, and deeply connected to the community. Students enjoy a focused and supportive learning environment where clear expectations help everyone thrive. Wearing uniforms and following shared standards not only fosters a sense of unity but also strengthens class spirit. This atmosphere allows students to dedicate themselves to learning while building lasting friendships and feeling part of a welcoming school family.
Experience
The community is the foundation of Japanese society, with a strong sense of reputation, obligation, and responsibility. Whether staying with a host family or in a dormitory, students will experience a new daily routine, from the way they greet others to adjusting to different bathing customs and learning to live with their host family or in close quarters with fellow students. Living in Japan offers personal enrichment, as students immerse themselves in a culture where politeness, respect for community, and harmony are highly valued. Integration into either a host family or a dormitory environment provides a unique opportunity to understand and embrace these cultural values firsthand.
School plays a major role in the social life of many students in Japan. One reason is that school is the main meeting point for Japanese teenagers and their friends. Parties or visits at the home are rare because the living space is too small to accommodate social activities. In addition, Japanese students are very active in sports, music, and other school-related clubs. These activities usually take place for one to two hours after school, and some even on weekends. Japanese students are very committed and disciplined in their chosen extracurricular activity and tend to belong to only one club at a time. Sports and cultural activities offered vary from school to school. Baseball, the most popular sport, tends to be highly competitive at all levels. Many people throughout Japan follow the annual high school baseball championships. Other common sports include soccer, volleyball, tennis, and kendo, a martial art. Popular cultural activities include flower arranging and calligraphy.
In Japan, a mix of Western and Japanese influences can be found in both spectator sports and the arts. While baseball is practically a national pastime, many people also enjoy watching sumo wrestling, judo, kendo, and karate. Western performance arts such as symphonies and ballets are common, but many Japanese are also interested in traditional arts such as bunraku (puppet theater) and the highly stylized dramas of noh and kabuki. Karaoke and going to the movies are also very popular activities.
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