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Location
  • Japan
Length
4 - 52 weeks
Program Categories
Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Study Abroad
General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Timeframe
Academic Year Fall Spring Winter
Housing
Host Family
Language
Japanese
Age Min.
15
Age Max
18

Pricing

Price Details
Program Prices Includes:
-Host family accommodations and 2-3 meals daily with your host family
-Medical/Accident insurance
-Support and counseling services from in-country staff
-24-hour emergency support
-Visa Assistance in applying for the visa ahead of arrival
-Pre-departure Orientation and Preparation
-Cultural Pre-departure Orientation (via Skype)
-2 Day Arrival Orientation in Tokyo
-Greeting and Transfer from Airport to Orientation Site
-Accommodation at Orientation Site
-Orientation workshops (covering school life, host family life, Japanese culture, etc).
-Letter of Recommendation upon request and successful completion of the program
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Meals
Jan 24, 2022
Apr 22, 2017
Wish List
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend a trimester, semester, or year studying abroad in Japan as a high school student, and live like a local while perfecting your Japanese language skills. Students are matched with a carefully-screened host family and attend a local high school for a full immersion experience abroad.

Now is your chance to explore all that the country's history, art, language, and literature has to offer while boosting your college application and having the high school experience of a lifetime!

Program at-a-glance:
- Must have 1 year of Japanese language instruction OR level 4 on the Japanese-Language -
Proficiency Test (JLPT)
- Host family accommodation provides full Japanese language immersion
- You can choose between trimester, semester or academic year lengths
- Immersion in a culture with a rich history and unique traditions
- 2-day arrival orientation in Tokyo, airport pickup, meals included (Subject to change)

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with Greenheart for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

study abroad in Japan
Live with a host family in Japan
Make friends in Japan
Live with a host family in Japan
Explore Japan

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We appreciate that everyone has a unique worldview and value everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, ability, military status, religion, sexual orientation or political view. We are committed to building relationships and ensuring everyone we encounter feels welcomed, respected, and accepted. Greenheart is committed to helping anyone find the best program fit and will go the extra mile to make sure our participants feel safe and supported wherever they end up.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Greenheart Travel welcomes travelers identifying as LGTBQ+, and is committed to helping you find the best program for you. We can provide information on the cultural norms of our destination countries and are prepared to advise you on the best programs based on your needs and interests.
While most of our programs could be a good fit, we also know that certain cultures and countries are more accepting of and prepared to host LGBTQ+ people than others. We are committed to working with LGBTQ+ people to determine which experiences may be the right fit for them. Please reach out if you want to discuss which of our programs might fit you best ahead of applying at travelabroad@greenheart.org or set up a phone call with us here.
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Neurodivergent Support

Greenheart works with partners who have varying levels of what is considered "good mental health". While we cannot change their eligibility conditions, we will work with participants to the best of our abilities in order to get them the program placement they want. We encourage you to discuss your specific situation with us directly, before securing these documents.

Accessibility Support

Greenheart Travel welcomes students of varying ability to explore their study abroad options! While resources and support differ from country to country, Greenheart Travel staff work with individual students as needed to find program options that will set students up for success.

Impact

Sustainability

We believe in supporting our travelers to make a positive impact in their communities. The Greenheart Club provides Greenheart Grant funding to alumni projects all over the world.
As the leading eco-friendly exchange organization, we are passionate about helping travelers explore the globe while respecting the environment and cultural heritage of the destinations they explore.
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Ethical Impact

Greenheart Travel is a branch of Greenheart International, a Chicago-based organization that connects people and planet to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, fair trade, and cultural exchange. We provide resources, grants, and experiences to those who want to immerse themselves in another culture and leave it better than when they arrived. Through volunteering, creating relationships and more.
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Program Highlights

  • Host family accommodations and 2-3 meals/daily included in the program fee
  • Assistance from a personal program manager before, during, and after your program
  • Medical Insurance and 24/7 Emergency Contact Support
  • Two-day cultural arrival orientation in Tokyo, Japan
  • Must have 1 year of Japanese language instruction or Level 4 on JLPT

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Growth 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Kara
27
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greenheart Travel 2015-2016 exchange

Apr 22, 2017

I had the desire of traveling to Japan for a year-long exchange since I was in the sixth grade, and it came to fruition when I was accepted into Greenheart Travel's program at the end of my 3rd year in high school. I studied in Tokyo, Japan for ten months during my 4th year in high school, from August 2015 to June 2016. I felt overwhelming support from my Greenheart travel coordinator, and I still stay in contact with her now, almost a full year after returning from my exchange. I felt I was adequately prepared for my experience thanks to Skype interviews with members of Greenheart Travel, and frequent email updates with packing lists, readings on culture shock, and even reverse culture shock for the time that participants returned from overseas. I would definitely recommend coordinating a study abroad through Greenheart Travel.

In regards to my exchange as a whole, it was one of the most difficult yet rewarding things that I've ever done. I have a strong relationship with one of my host families (I had two, the first who hosted me for seven months, and the second for only three), and I still contact them from time to time. I made quite a few close friends with whom I still make frequent contact. The most important thing to know is that a language barrier can be very difficult and frustrating to overcome, but it's important not to compare your speaking/comprehension ability to some one else's (especially not natives', which seems obvious but I found myself doing frequently during my exchange). Don't be afraid to speak-- you're in a foreign country to learn about said country's language and customs. If you make a mistake, learn from it, and try not to feel too embarrassed. If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't learning. And if you aren't learning, why would you be there?

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing I wish would have been different about my program was the time I was able to spend with other foreign exchange students that were in my program. I was only able to spend a substantial amount of time with all of them at the very beginning and the very end of my exchange, and altogether it was only about five days. While I understand it is important to assimilate to the culture you are spending your program in, it would have been nice to have gotten closer with my fellow exchange students. There wasn't much opportunity to do so, especially with those who were in a different part of the country than I was.
91 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Julia
26
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely phenomenal!

Oct 15, 2014

My time in Japan was very challenging and absolutely wonderful. I essentially lived the life of a Japanese high school student for three months, and experienced more new and interesting things than I can count. Everything from going to the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree to just sitting around the kotatsu talking with my host family was amazing. It was challenging being thrown in an environment where almost nobody spoke English, and through the process I learned a ton of Japanese and really grew as a person. Before and throughout my entire trip Greenheart Travel and JIEE were very supportive and made sure I knew everything I needed to know. I feel like I was given a very realistic explanation of what to expect before I started the program. During my time in Japan, if anything was bothering me, I had a wonderful counselor I could email or talk to on the phone. Overall, I had a great experience with Greenheart Travel and would highly recommend this program.

84 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Can you study abroad in Japan although you're 16 years old?

Yes! The requirement is to be between 15 and 18 years of age (at the time of travel).

By Greenheart Travel on September 10, 2019
Can you study abroad in Japan if you're 14 years old?

Our program requires students to be at least 15 years old.

By Greenheart Travel on June 18, 2019
Will the year abroad give you credits to graduate high school?

Hey there! You should meet with your US high school before you leave and share the general curriculum guidelines of your host country with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. Please consult with them about the credits they will potentially grant you for the classes you take while abroad. You can read more here: http://ght-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/…...

By Greenheart Travel on December 6, 2018
So you need to be kind of fluent in the Japanese language?

Hey Rin! You don't need to be fluent in Japanese but a bit of prior experience is required just to make your program successful. The requirement is that you need to have at least 1 year of Japanese language instruction OR a level 4 on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). If you've taken Japanese for 1 year you'd qualify! Even if you're not yet fluent :)

By Greenheart Travel on October 18, 2018
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Location

Location:
Japan
Currency:
Japanese Yen
Weather:
Jan-Mar
63 F / 14 F
Apr-Jun
79 F / 32 F
Jul-Sep
90 F / 48 F
Oct-Dec
82 F / 19 F
Airports:
Haneda Airport
( HND )
Narita International
( NRT )
Kansai International
( KIX )

Throughout Japan, you will see the confluence of traditional and modern. Whether you are traveling to one of the many metropolitan cities or meandering through the country side, there will be traditional pieces of art and architecture surrounded by modern technology, transportation and architecture.

About Greenheart

Greenheart Travel is a 501(c)3 non-profit, mission-driven organization based in Chicago, USA. We are passionate about providing immersive cultural experiences for teenagers and adults in countries all over the world. We believe in the power of travel; a power that broadens perspective and turns strangers into family. It’s this belief that motivates...

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