World Campus International
Programs and Reviews
World Campus International organizes short term programs in Japan for students aged 17 and up. Programs can be done independently of each other or in conjunction, making your Japanese studies flexible to your needs, goals, and budget. Study Japanese in various cities across Japan and participate in not only classes, but also homestays and related cultural activities. There has never been a better time to study abroad in Japan!
Programs Abroad
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Reviews
100%Overall
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100%Overall
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I never expected that the host family experience would be so great - was just thinking it would hamper our social time - but I have made friends for life! Staying with local families is THE way to see a place and really learn about life there. Hostels / hotels are the same around the world but a family home gives you safety and an insight to the traditions & customs of that culture.
The experience of students / participants from many other countries was great - I felt that not only did I travel to and learn about Japan - but so many other countries - I know I will travel to meet those close new friends in their home countries one day - have plans to already!
working together with local communities was not only a team effort, hands on learning and very rewarding but gave me confidence to begin a new career path. Overall this is a life changing and wonderful experience in a safe structured environment but yet with room to grow and find yourself!
90%Overall
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I went on World Campus the summer of 2009, right before my exchange in Japan, the first time I would be living there, getting me great contacts and a chance to trial-by-fire. World Campus gave me a great opportunity to ease myself into it, while meeting some amazing people and getting to do things that make my friends jealous to this day. The chance to live in multiple Japanese households really gives you a unique perspective on life in Japan, really appreciating the local nuances inside what can seem a homogenous culture. Plus, they know all the cool places in their area that the guidebooks don't tell you about, like the ninja castle in Iga, not to mention the second-only-to-kobe-beef Iga beef! It was great for my Japanese as well, as class can only prepare you for a certain amount, especially the more natural Japanese you hear and use at home. The only negative was that I went for a month and a half (a half program back then) and people went a bit stir-crazy with all the events and planned stuff, but they do a great job in preparing you for that as well as reducing the length of the programs a bit. The two days off a week also really help :-) All in all, World Campus was a memorable experience for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go!
90%Overall
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The program was a great opportunity for me to go to Japan. I had studied a lot about it and I wanted to visit, but I wanted more than just travel. The program took care of the travel and arranged host families for me (great people, great experiences), while I could concentrate on learning Japanese, Japanese culture and society. I also made friends all over the world on top of that.
I eat all food so I didn't have any complaints, on the other hand it was the opposite the host families wanted to give me special food, but because I eat everything I didn't know what to tell them I liked.(there were vegetarians on the program)
The program allowed me to access places that I could never have accessed on my own and learned me much about Japan. On the other hand, one also learns about one's own country, because of all the questions from fellow participants and Japanese people.
Japan was magnificent, but also exhausting. The events themselves and the community interaction were quite agreeable, but instead of coming home and relaxing on the computer, the host family wants to entertain you and take care of you and so on, which makes every day very very full. But also very fun, of course. ;)
What to take on this program:
-Excitement
-stuff from your country (should have brought more)
-An open mind towards other cultures
-A good night's rest before the program starts
-Some money for drinks in summer (Japan is hot) and other stuff you'd like to buy
-English skills (well if you can read this you'll probably be fine)
-Smiles, lots of smiles
100%Overall
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I have to say that the experience I had with World Campus was one of the best, most influential experiences of my life! Not only did I get to see the vast beauty of Japan, I was able to experience the dynamic interplay of the city verses the country, witness festivals, religious temples, assist with community-building and noodle making--you name it! Not only that, but I was able to learn and interact with people from all over the world, be immersed in the language, and discover just how small (or if you think about it, how big/different) our world really is. I would recommend this program to anyone who is really looking to get something out of a summer adventure, who wants to make an impact in the lives of everyone they encounter, AND who wants to experience what it really means to visit and possibly become a part of Japan.
World Campus Japan really was one of the most intense and fun experiences of my life. I got to be with an international group and to know Japan not from the point of view of a tourist, but as a member of a local community. Living with host families really makes you emerge in the japanese culture, and learn all the aspects of it.
But more than that, WCI - Japan taught me that one to one, we can change the world. It showed me how great it was to get out of my comfort zone, try new things and help people. It showed me how great it was to mix with other people with diferent cultures and how much we can learn from it. We interacted with so many people and touched so many hearts... I was overwhelmed when it was over. It was a lifetime experience.
I totally recomend it :)