Discover Yourself in Osaka, Japan

My daughter just got back from three weeks in Japan with World Class Programs, run by Derek Tano, and I can't recommend it enough for parents looking for something beyond a typical sightseeing trip — this combines real academics with genuine independence-building.

The educational structure is a big part of what drew us in, and it held up. Mornings are a major class, with a minor class three afternoons a week — my daughter took Japanese history and photography. Derek, who runs the program, is a teacher himself, and it showed: this was actual instruction, not filler activities dressed up as "cultural learning."

The part that mattered most to us as parents, though, was how the staff handled a problem. Five days in, my daughter injured her leg. Derek and his team got her a cane and knee brace, offered to connect her with a local doctor, arranged alternate transportation for her, and gave us daily updates. When she couldn't get out for groceries, they brought some back for her. They adjusted her schedule to what she could actually manage rather than expecting her to push through the original itinerary.

Outside of that, the trip had a good balance of structure and independence — kids do their own grocery shopping, explore in small groups within set boundaries, and have a full schedule of activities and day trips. Her group was 8 kids with 6 staff, which was reassuring from a parent's perspective.

She came home more confident and self-sufficient, and despite the injury and missing a few things, she's already asking about the next trip.

If you're weighing this program for your child, my honest takeaway is that the itinerary is strong, but what really stood out was how they handled things when they didn't go according to plan. That's usually the better test of a program than how smoothly it runs when nothing goes wrong.

This year I participated in the Osaka World Class program and I loved it! I experience many exciting activities with much to see and do. From sight seeing to eating delicious food, all of it was great. Hiroshima was one of my all time favorite places that we went to by far, it was a long day of traveling, but 100% worth it. I specifically remember the Hiroshima peace memorial, while it was a solemn memorial they still had a beautiful tribute to the lives lost. Informing others on how big this impacted their community and how they moved on from this. This program allowed the opportunity to immerse myself in an atmosphere where I can learn and understand the Japanese culture.

I sent two of my daughters to the Osaka program this summer. It was incredible to see all that they got to learn and experience. The day trip to Hiroshima was very impactful. They were also lucky enough to see the lantern festival there. I Osaka, the Osaka Castle was a sight to behold. In Kyoto, the Japanese tea ceremony in traditional Kimonos was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The list of memorable adventures goes on and on! This cultural experience was incredible for them, and for me as a parent to see second-hand.

Oh my gosh, where do I even start with this program? It was absolutely, positively, mind-blowingly amazing! Seriously, I can’t even begin to express how incredible it was. From the very first day, I was in love with World Class Programs. The energy, the staff, the excitement, the sheer awesomeness of it all was just overwhelming in the best way possible.

First off, the people and teachers at World Class Programs were just the best. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and it felt like I was part of a big, happy family right from the start. The instructors were super knowledgeable and passionate about what they were teaching, and it was so inspiring to see how much they cared about helping us succeed. They continuously went above and beyond to make sure we understood everything and were always there to answer any questions we had, no matter how silly they might have seemed.

And the activities! Oh my goodness, the activities were just out of this world. We got to do so many cool things that I never even thought I’d get the chance to try. There were trips to places like Kyoto, Nara (to see the deer!!!), Himeji, Hiroshima (on the peace day festival) and Tokyo! We also played group games, and even some fun, unexpected surprises that kept us on our toes and made every day an adventure (don’t even ask me about the “karaoke” experience! Haha). I learned so much and had a blast doing it. It was, seriously, like being in a dream.

But it wasn’t just the people and activities that made this program so amazing. It was also the environment. Japan. Oh Japan. Japan was just beautiful, with stunning views and a vibe that was both really chill and relaxing, and also energizing at the same time. It was the perfect setting for us to focus, learn, and grow, and I felt so lucky to be there. Every morning, I would wake up excited to see what the day had in store, and every night, I would go to bed feeling grateful for the incredible experiences I had.

I also have to mention how much I learned. This program was not just fun and games; it was also incredibly educational. I took the Japanese history course for my major and Photography for my minor. I gained so much knowledge and skills that I know will be super valuable in the future. The way the information was presented was so engaging and easy to understand, and I felt like I was really absorbing everything. Being able to EXPERIENCE things rather than just talk about them was great. It was like my brain was a sponge, soaking up all the amazing stuff being thrown at it.

And let’s not forget about the friendships I made. I met so many awesome people who I will never forget. We had so much fun together, whether we were playing “taco cat goat cheese pizza”, hanging out during breaks, watching movies, or just chatting about life. Even though we all just met, It was like we had known each other forever, and I felt so lucky to have them in my life. We even planned to stay in touch after the program ended, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.

In conclusion, this program was just the best experience of my life. It was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I learned so much, met so many amazing people, and had the time of my life. I will always look back on this program with fond memories and a heart full of gratitude. It was truly an incredible experience, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. Thank you World Class Programs!!!

This trip has been a dream of mine ever since middle school and I’m glad I got to do it through World Class. The staff is kind and always seeks to have fun and improve the trips. From the souvenir shops to the curriculum, it was more than I ever expected. On most trips, people spend most of their time in tourist traps, but this trip felt authentic. I loved the family mart runs, shopping sprees, and learning the history in these places. I recommend going to the sumo event, that was one of my favs.

I went on the 3 week Japan trip in 2026 and I had lots of fun! First of all, I was so nervous about traveling alone but all the staff were extremely helpful and experienced in helping others travel! All the stress of traveling was taken away by them. All the staff were kind, understanding and helpful. I’m a very picky eater and I was scared to go on this trip because I was afraid I would have anything to eat that I enjoyed but the staff were very flexible and always helped me find something I enjoyed to eat. We had a lot more freedom than I thought we would. It was very nice getting to know and hang out with everyone on the program but one major con for me was the fact that there wasn’t a lot of alone time. I’m a major introvert and the way I feel replenished is by hanging out by myself but in this program we are room with at least one person, sometimes more. It wasn’t much of an issue for me the first two weeks because of the layout of the apartments we all had our own rooms but the last week we all shared rooms. It’s not a problem with anyone else in the program, I just personally need time to myself to feel like me. All of the activities were worthwhile and special to experience! I did and saw so many things that I never expected that I would and I personally really enjoyed buying lots of things! Everywhere we went people were always so kind! Finally, one of my favorite things was the public transportation. At first I honestly thought I would hate it but they ended up being so fun. I loved and always looked forward to riding the trains! Before coming on this trip I would recommend trying to be as strong as possible to lift your bags up all the stairs!!

Let me tell you, World Class Programs is the way to go, especially the Japan program. If you’re wanting to experience a fun and exciting adventure that broadens your worldview, this is it. Throughout the three weeks, they not only made me feel safe and supported, but also like family. The staff were also super nice and helped you keep on going even when you were tired. We were all in it together! The activities were also all immersive and varied, so you get a good mix of history, culture, and souvenirs to bring home! If your a history buff, you’ll be especially happy!This is a program that everyone, atleast once in their life, needs to experience!

I had a great time in Japan! I learned a lot about the history of the country, saw many amazing sites, made awesome memories, and tried new things. I made some really good friends on this trip and always felt safe so I would recommend it for teenagers who are looking for life experience. The housing situation is great in Osaka and Tokyo and most of the time we were well fed. Meals could run late at times, but they always made sure to feed us. I recommend the history major because in that one you will take the most advantage of the country your in, sometimes even getting to see more sites than the other majors.