Location
  • Japan
    • Tokyo
Length
2 - 4 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family Hotel
Language
Japanese

Pricing

Starting Price
8413
Price Details
Program fee includes college credit, meals, lodging, all program activities, in-country transportation, health insurance, and experienced group leaders.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Included (Extra)

Health insurance

What's Not Included
Airfare
Oct 25, 2024
Sep 30, 2023
50 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Learn from the best as you attend a reputable anime school in Tokyo, one of the safest and largest metropolitan areas in the world. Develop your artistic ability and style through classes taught in Japanese by design and animation professionals.

Practice animation techniques such as color blending with Copic markers; inking with fountain pens; and screen-toning, a method of applying textures and shades to drawings. Work on character development; then take your characters from paper to the screen through digital animation using programs like Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and After Effects.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.
Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.

Impact

Environmental sustainability is a key component of all programs. Participants minimize their environmental footprint by using public transit, eating local food, and participating in community service projects in collaboration with, and according to, the needs of local communities.
Social and environmental responsibility is more critical now than ever. We are committed to delivering programs that support and are respectful of the diverse communities and ecosystems that host our programs.

Our programs are developed in close consultation with local and international partners and with a critical understanding of the communities and regions we visit.

Program Highlights

  • Develop your illustration skills and design techniques through interactive classes with industry experts.
  • Learn about Japanese history by visiting shrines and museums.
  • Explore diverse neighborhoods such as Harajuku and Akihabara, and visit iconic locations such as the Sky Tree and Shibuya crossing.
  • Visit a high school to interact with local students by lunching together and participating in their club activities.
  • Take a ferry to Miyajima, an island in Hiroshima Bay and recognized as a World Heritage site. 

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.9
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Charity
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Peaceful, Immersive, Relaxing and Welcoming Experience

This experience was really fun, beyond my expectations. There was so much I got to do in the country within a short period of time. The reason I would pick this program again is because there is still more to explore within the country and other opportunities that I didn't get to be a part of/do because of the short time.

I made a lot of friends and also got to explore a whole different place I never knew I would have gone to if it wasn't for the program. It was definitely worthwhile. My favorite part is the amazing people I met and the impact they have had on me and this experience.

The leaders and teachers were also a great part of the experience they were very kind and understanding people. They also did not feel like authority and were relaxed, friendly and open minded people. They also made sure were were doing fine mentally and physically.

Pros
  • The Animation and Japanese Language teacher were helpful and friendly and also open to feedback and new ideas.
  • Feeling safe in the country and being able to walk around with friends during the evenings and spending time together.
  • Meeting the host family and spending my time with them, they felt like the perfect match for me.
Cons
  • There wasnt much free time only one day with the host family. Free days would have been nice for example having a whole day to relax and reflect. All the days there was something to do because the program was short.
58 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

Through the Experiment of International living, I was able to learn about manga and anime from professionals. I made amazing friends and traveled all around Tokyo and Sapporo. The most important thing that I learned or gained from this program was a new sense of independence. Going on public transportation alone definitely made me more confident. In general, it is a really cool but niche program so you get to meet a lot of people who are interested in the same things as you. On the program, there is a week when the students each stay with a different Japanese family. I had the most amazing homestay family. They were so beyond welcoming and I am still in touch with them. This was definitely the experience of a lifetime and I recommend it!
Ella

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was when I played a game with my host family called guess who. My host mom, Shie, put wasabi in one cream puff. Then three family members would take a cream puff and the family members who did not eat them had to guess who ate the one with wasabi. Kaho, the youngest, always pretended like she got wasabi which was really funny.
142 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kofi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So Much Fun

In Japan I had lots of fun. From the streets of Tokyo to the woods of Nanae in Hokkaido, our group traveled everywhere. The anime classes we attended were great, as it was a type of learning that always introduced an exciting aspect to it. We did voice lessons, worked with professional animation technology and tools, and we learned from experienced instructors. The people I met were amazing, and I'm sure to keep in touch with them.

What would you improve about this program?
It is perfect as it is.
129 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Diamond
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Impacting Trip

The Experiment placed me in a program that I abouseltly loved and adored. The people I spent time with made the experience so much better for me. I made life long friendships and I was able to experience things an average person wouldn’t have in just a plain trip to japan. We learned how to be independent, travel alone, explore and test our language skills.

Our host families were amazing, and I created an incredible bond with mine. Our leaders took the most care of us, and made sure we were on our right tracks. I learned how to style with animation and how to become an greater artist and person.

I would definitely recommend The Experiment to everyone I know!

132 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Abraham
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Memorable

My experience in japan was beyond expected, it was an amazing experience and I believe that I grew a lot as an individual. Traveling all around tokyo was amazing especially eating all different types of traditional meals. The homestay experience was amazing and the leaders really care a lot about our safety. Through out the whole trip I felt included and never felt bored, the program made sure we always have something to do everyday of the trip. We never had a day off from experiencing something new in Japan, however we even had time to be independent and do our own thing in japan as well, which allowed us to do what interests us.

What would you improve about this program?
This program doesn’t need much improvement, it excelled beyond my expectations.
124 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Julian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

This trip allowed me to learn new things about Japanese culture and advance in the field I love to study, Animation. Going to school in Japan was a different experience than in America. I made a lot of friends. I wish I could have stayed longer, so that is something to improve upon. I miss the food. It was super tasty and cheap. I also enjoyed the trains. I wanted to get pushed into a rush hour train and I got that experience. I would gladly do this again and again. I met amazing people and I still keep in contact with them. This trip is well worth the time.

What would you improve about this program?
More communication between leaders and program
132 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mathieu
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Culturally Enlightening and Overall Amazing Experience

This program, Japanimation: Anime & Manga was an unforgettable experience in which one can explore the culture and language of Japan, while also exploring and reflecting on yourself.
I had felt extremely safe during the trip and my leaders were exceedingly helpful, whether pointing your group towards a point of interest or giving insight into adapting into the culture. There were several oppertunities and activities which encourage one to work outside their comfort zone that had created a sense of a wonderful and inviting community. This program had also aided in the development of my own leadership skills as well as providing encouragement to work outside my comfort zone more offen. There were also a variety of other things to do other than animation and manga such as admiring Japan's natural beauty, plentiful cafés, and Arcades. This program had become an unforgettable experience to me as I look forward to going abroad with The Experiment again.

What would you improve about this program?
For the duration of the program, a majority of the group had felt that the amount of free time given to explore certain areas were limited. Giving future Experimenters a chance to explore more in this program would serve a less rushed feeling in places they may have wanted to revisit.
120 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Japan

My experience living in japan was amazing. My animation got along with each other pretty well. The food over there was delicious! The architecture were outstanding. The program was great because of my leaders in my group. They made sure we were safe. They made each day of our trip fun! One thing to prepare for this trip is being out your comfort zone. At one point you will taking bath in a public bath. Also, you will be walking a lot. I got to learn more about the language and culture. The animation classes were super exciting. Looking at your drawing skills improving gives you a great excitement. My homestay family was amazing. I got to participate in the shrine festival and walked around the forest with the family. Overall this trip is 100 percent worth it and safe.

What would you improve about this program?
Longer homestay
151 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Do you do any courses for 19+?

You need to be between 14 and 18.

Hi, Jarell! Applications to this program are accepted on a rolling basis. While we are not selective based on artistic ability, we do require teacher recommendations as part of the application process. Apply early, this is one of our most beloved and popular programs!