World Class Programs

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!!)

Traveling abroad with World Class Programs was indeed an experience of a lifetime. I got to experience aspects of a country I would have struggled to find or reach if I had not been with the program. The program not only gave me opportunities to learn about topics in another country in a more academic setting with fun classes that kept me engaged but also through more experiential activities like class trips and program-wide day trips to cities outside of where we were mainly staying. I personally was able to have very big cultural revelations about myself due to the nature of the program and the way that they helped immerse us in the culture of Japan. The amount of opportunities that we had to explore some of the culture ourselves with our programmed free time was also incredibly valuable as it enabled me and others on my trip to really feel connected with Japan and the city we were staying in.
Overall I think that anyone with the opportunity to go on a trip with WCP should take it as it provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in another country’s culture and environment which will aid both your personal and professional life by providing you new ways of thinking about things. The experiences you’ll have in both program activities as well as just being a member of the program and interacting with your peers are some that you won’t ever forget because of just how impactful they are. You really will have so much fun that you might be making plans to get back to Japan as soon as you hop on the plane ride back home!

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 trip was such a memorable experience. As students, we got to learn so much in the three weeks we spent in Japan while always having a great time. I started this trip with very limited knowledge on the country and it’s culture, but I left with what I feel is a much deeper understanding. During these weeks I met so many new and interesting people and enjoyed an array of different but very fun activities. The teachers leading the program felt like friends while putting our safety first and ensuring we have a good time. I could not imagine a better way to spend the end of my summer than traveling with World Class Programs.

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.