I went on the Italy program for 3 weeks about a week before the Japan trip was going to leave. I was heavily convinced to come on the Japan trip a week before and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I love this program with all my heart and have learned so much and I have so many memories that I will hold. I love the entire staff and they we genuine friends to us and were so dedicated to keeping us safe and having fun. They were not overruling and being unnecessary when it came to telling us to do something. They were very reasonable and considerate and genuinely our friends that we could have fun and laugh with. They program is so well organized and a wonderful opportunity for any high schooler wanting to travel and go explore a new country. You truly get your money’s worth and we did not have to worry about anything when it came to the itinerary. It was all super well planned out and I loved having something new every single day. Each day was a new adventure and had a new experience. Italy was such a good experience for me that I never wanted it to end so I had to do another trip and I also plan on attending a third trip next summer before I leave for college. These two trip has made me learn so much about Japan and meet new people and I am so he for this opportunity. The staff was so accommodating and so helpful. I would recommend this program to anyone it truly is worth every penny.

Going on this trip was more of a last minute miracle for me. I was incredibly nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy my time and I would feel home sick fast. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. The trip honestly felt like a little family and I enjoyed every moment. I myself am not an athletic person and I normally don’t enjoy long walks and sight seeing, however, this trip made it all worth it. The sleeping situations were good and I was always generally comfortable. It can become tiring but the staff is so supportive and always willing to give you time to rest.

For me the program is one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. The staff are great and Derek is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. His planning for the trip was incredible and he was able to fit in so many destinations and attractions. We were able to have an experience of a lifetime thanks to him. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the week in Tokyo. We were able to see so many things and Derek gave us multiple chances to be free and independent. We were allowed to explore and go shopping frequently which was very nice. Overall, this trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.

The program was very cool. Made a lot of new friends and had many fun memories during my time in Japan. Himeji castle was definitely my favorite thing that we visited. Learned a lot of new things in the classes I took during the program and got to experience something completely different from my everyday life in the United States. Overall I had a really fun and enjoyable time on my trip with world class programs. I would recommend this program if you want to experience something new and make some new friends along the way.

In 2023, I was a part of the Florence, Italy trip. I fell in love with traveling but most importantly, World Class Programs. Derek Tano sculpts every trip with clear intentions and I was eager to return for the trip to Japan this year.
Our day trip to Hiroshima was on August 6th, the same day as the atomic bomb. We went to observe the Peace Festival and gain a new perspective of that day. While emotional, it was a unique and powerful experience that we were able to have. On a lighter note, every day was packed with exciting activities and unforgettable moments. On our second day, we all went bowling and laughed as if we knew each other our whole lives. While most of us couldn’t get a pin down, we enjoyed bonding together as a group. We sang our hearts out at karaoke, even losing our voices by the end of it. We did long walks to gorgeous shrines and temples, enjoying the scenery as we sweat in the hot sun. My major (Japanese History) took me to beautiful shrines and temples across Japan. I’ve learned so much about Shinto religion and Buddhism from my class.
I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime on this trip. I’ve laughed harder than I ever had before, walked more than I could imagine, but most importantly, I learned so much about Japan and myself. I’ve gained a new perspective on the world and a love of traveling. World Class Programs is the only study abroad company I’d want to travel the world with. I can’t recommend this trip or any other WCP enough. Thank you for the best three weeks ever.

Just WOW! I took this trip to Japan during the end of July for three weeks through August and it was absolutely incredible! Not only are the staff very friendly and easy to get along with but they know when to get serious and how to handle groups of high school students. I also really enjoyed being around the friends I made on this trip, it was one of those rare experience bonding connections you don't get to see or know of very often. Looking back on it now some of the trip highlights had to be the time we visited Nara Park and fed the deer that bowed to you, funnily enough it started POURING and it was a great time running to the nearby 7/11 for umbrellas! If you are going into this thinking its a vacation then STOP its an experience through and through. Expect to have the best time of your life BUT you have to be willing and ABLE to do it, some days went up to 25k steps. All in all this program was by far one of the best decisions I made in my life, and from the Tokyo Tower, to the Osaka street vendors, to the many many beautiful castles and the ACTUAL location of the atomic bomb detonation you really PACK in as much of Japan in 3 weeks as you can get! I cant think of what else to say other than praise for this program so SIGN UPPP!!! (also the program director Derek Tano is the KINGGG!!)

This was my first time outside of the US and I have to say that I couldn’t have chosen a better program to do so with. The support and care the staff members provide is unmatched. They’re all extremely kind people and great teachers. I took the photography and History classes and learned so much while getting to visit different places and having fun! I got to visit so many cool places( my fav being Nara Park). This is an experience I’ll never forget and a trip everyone should take with this program!

This was the first time my son had gone on a group trip. I researched this company, the owner and every employee extensively. All I could find were amazing reviews across the board. I had the opportunity to talk to a mother whose son had taken the trip the year before. He had the best time. We felt good about this company and my son was really excited to see Japan. From the very beginning, everything ran seamlessly. We easily found the group in the airport, met the instructors and fellow classmates, then said our goodbyes. Our first text we received was what a great time he was having! He would send pictures daily featuring one amazing place, after another. My son loves History and was blown away by the course abroad. Actually being in Hiroshima and learning about that day, definitely beats a standard classroom lecture. The total immersion in the culture was an amazing opportunity as well. Going to the grocery store, off the beaten path restaurants, and a traditional tea ceremony, are some of the benefits this program offers beyond just traveling there as a tourist. Derek and his team are so familiar with the area and itinerary, that they are able to pack a lot in without it feeling rushed or exhausting. Every Sunday, Derek would send us a weekly summary with photos and details of what they were up to. We looked forward to it every week. My son came home with new friends, a thousand cool stories and stronger confidence in his decision to go out of state for college, next year.
Thank you, Derek, Jaclyn and the team for providing such an amazing experience.