Program Reviews

Going abroad is usually a very rewarding experience no matter where you go, and the YIJ program is no exception. However, it is easy to have a bad experience if the program itself is not organized properly or the staff are not helpful. I was happy to discover, from my first inquiries into YIJ to the end of the program, that YIJ does not suffer from these problems. The staff are all incredibly helpful and caring, as well as extremely organized. I had so much fun on the trip, and it was just the right balance of total freedom and guided activities. I was able to do a lot of solo travelling and playing music, and the classes at school as well as the school trips were very rewarding. Kobe is the perfect city for this type of program, a place small and quiet enough I could feel at home, while also providing many big-city accommodations. I encourage anyone looking for a study abroad experience to consider YIJ.

I can easily and confidently say that participating in the Year in Japan Program has been the greatest, bravest, and perhaps craziest decision I've ever made. Dare I risk sounding cliche and say it was life-changing? I can't imagine myself now without this experience as a part of me, without all the memories I've made, the things I've learned, and the growth I've undergone.

This program includes a homestay, through whom I was able to genuinely experience everyday life in Japan and practice Japanese, including the grammar points and vocabulary I would learn in the intensive Japanese language classes where we studied Japanese in class for three hours every day (sounds rough, but you'd be surprised how quick it goes by). In addition to Japanese language classes, we took Japan Studies classes, which gave insight into various aspects of Japanese society or culture, such as history, art, economics, or linguistics. This program also includes two or three overnight field trips to historically and/or culturally significant parts of Japan to learn about its importance and practice Japanese. This year, we went to Koya-san, Shikoku, and Hiroshima.

Going to Japan has allowed my Japanese to improve exponentially. I can without doubt say that I have gotten much better at using and understanding Japanese, so much so to the point that I feel very comfortable accomplishing things by myself here, using only Japanese. Studying abroad has also helped me develop as an individual, helping me gain more self-confidence, independence, and a more positive outlook on life, adventure, and the world. By simply completing this program, let alone completing this program having made so many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever, I have proven to myself how adaptable and capable I can become, and how having a positive mindset about new places and new experiences is the best way to live out my life.

In terms of memorable experiences I've made, they are innumerable, including so many things in Japan that I had never experienced before, from takoyaki to shiohigari. I've visited countless beautiful temples and shrines, both deep in a forest atop a mountain and in the heart of a bustling city. I've eaten all kinds of foods from varying regions. I've walked the streets of the biggest cities I've ever seen in my life. I've ridden the fastest train in the world. I've sung so much karaoke and been to so many theme parks. I've talked to so many kind people. I've watched so much hilarious television and so many children's shows whose theme songs were perpetually stuck in my head (thank you, 2-year old host brother). I've bathed in an onsen full of roses and made matcha tea by hand. I've attended my university's bunkasai and seen many taiko performances, of which my YiJ friends were a part, as well. I've had so much fun tutoring students in English. I've watched movies at the movie theater in Japanese and felt accomplishment when I understood most of what was being said. I walked 1,300 steps to the top of Konpira-san. I climbed to the top of Mt. Misen on Miyajima. I've watched the Naruto whirlpools while atop the world's longest suspension bridge. I've walked the winding pathways of Himeji Castle. I've eaten countless yattai foods. I've done so much in Japan that I can't do anywhere else, and I hope I remember these experiences forever.

There was never, not once in the whole of nine months, a single second of regret. There were, however, several moments of retrospective dread at the thought of not choosing to study abroad and missing out on this amazing adventure of a lifetime. So if you’re considering the Year in Japan Program, I think you should just jump in and do it! I know I’m extremely glad that I did.

I’m not a huge fan of traveling, so at the outset of my college experience I hadn’t even considered studying abroad, but by chance I wound up spending a semester in the Year in Japan program, and I am so glad that I did. While in this program, you don’t feel like you’re a tourist on vacation; you get to fully ingrain yourself and interact with the culture on a much deeper level. The location is fantastic: walking distance from the pleasant town of Okamoto (definitely try all the bakeries), a quick train ride from downtown Kobe (a perfectly sized city), and close enough to Osaka that you could make a trip on a weeknight with little issue. The language classes go at a great pace – fast enough that you’ll see your abilities make a noticeable improvement but not so fast that you’re overwhelmed and can’t enjoy life in Japan. My host family was flawless, cooking me delicious meals multiple times a day and going above and beyond with supporting me and helping me through the challenges of living in a completely different culture on the other side of the world. The staff at Konan do a great job of ensuring all of your paperwork and travel documents get properly filed, as well. One of the most unexpected highlights of my experience is the quality of friendships I made with other students from all around the world. I went into the program knowing no one and left with lasting bonds with people from Canada, Hawaii, Europe, and plenty of other places. Not only was it an incredible experience, but it was also surprisingly affordable, and, because the credits transferred back to my home university so easily, I was able to graduate in 4 years with a minor that I otherwise would never have gotten, so I can’t really think of any downsides to Year in Japan.

My time doing YiJ was arguably the most fulfilling experience I have ever had. This program definitely helped me develop a number of skills useful for navigating life in Japan and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. My host family was incredibly understanding and supportive of my Japanese learning and constantly went out of their way to help me succeed. I made a ton of new friends, many of which I still correspond with today. You can expect a lot of freedom and free time in this program, so don’t be afraid to go out and see something new. I spent most of my free time singing karaoke and going to Hanshin Tigers’ games. I would find it hard to say I wasted any time while in Japan. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

The year in Japan was the most fulfilling and exciting year of my life. Joining clubs and circles is very easy and rewarding, and there are plenty places where you can make Japanese friends, they will often even approach you. My favorite place to hang out after school was the global zone, where a lot of Japanese and foreign students get together to talk, play games, etc. The social dynamic is really fun and unique because of the small amount of students together frequently, so it is easy to make good friends. I didn't expect much of the field trips before going, but those actually turned out to be some of the best memories I made there. Rooming with friends and going on an adventure together makes the field trips feel like a summer camp, in a good way. Finally, the faculty, especially the Japanese teachers, are some of the nicest and most helpful people you will meet. You can tell that they really enjoy what they do and they want to help you in any way they can.

I studied abroad through the Year-in-Japan program for Fall 2018 and could not have been happier with my experience.

One of the things that make the Year-in-Japan Program stand out is that it’s based in Kobe, without doubt a city brimming with charm at every corner. Neither a staggering metropolis nor a quiet town, Kobe is just the right size to make you feel at home in its scenic nature spots and bustling downtown area that puts most others to shame. Living here with a host family is a highlight for sure. My host family immediately made me feel welcome in their home, helping me learn about Japanese culture while also giving me the freedom to explore the country on my own. And explore I did, going out constantly with other exchange students and locals, immersing myself in as many new and interesting experiences as I could. The memories I was able to make through YiJ are as good as any I’ve ever had.

The program itself offers amazing support via the staff members helping you along the way. I always felt that I knew what I needed to know and was well taken care of because of the work that everyone puts in to make YiJ possible. If you are interested at all in studying in Japan, I could not make a stronger recommendation for the Year-in-Japan program.

As the title says, the year in Japan was the most fulfilling and exciting year of my life. The program provides you with plenty of freedom to do what you want outside of class, but at the same time, the faculty are very helpful and will not hesitate you to accommodate you. Joining clubs and circles is very easy and rewarding, and there are plenty places where you can make Japanese friends, they will often even approach you. The social dynamic is really fun and unique because of the small amount of students together frequently, so it is easy to make good friends. I didn't expect much of the field trips before going, but those actually turned out to be some of the best memories I made there. Being able to live with a host family is arguably the most appealing part of this program, my host family was very nice and helped me whenever I needed and made me really good food.

I was on the Year-in-Japan program in the Spring of 2017 and it was a huge part of my college experience as well as why I came to Japan after college on the JET Program. The program is a great way to experience Japan, make Japanese friends, and learn Japanese while also connecting with many other students from all over the world.

For me, the homestay was my favorite part of the program. Living with a Japanese family was one of the most beneficial parts of the program. I was able to experience being part of a Japanese family firsthand and also was able to practice my Japanese 24/7.

In addition, the LOFT (an area in the university) is a great place where Japanese students come to hang out with the exchange students, providing a great spot to meet Japanese people and practice speaking Japanese.

Furthermore, the program's location is great. Being in Kobe, one can access all of the Kansai region easily and can also head to Tokyo or Hiroshima easily. The program itself plans several field trips which take people to some of these places such as Mount Koya and Hiroshima, but there is also plenty fo free time to explore the rest of Japan!

I strongly recommend that you check out this program.

My favorite part of the Year-in-Japan program is the people who make the program possible. Just to mention a few, the staff are always caring and professional. The instructors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic in teaching. Living with a Japanese host family, you will definitely be immersed into the culture, which you can experience only in Japan!

No wonder Year-in-Japan has been a successful program for over 40 years. I strongly recommend this program!

Kobe is a great place to live. It’s easily accessible to other historically and culturally significant cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima. Field trips are scheduled to visit some of these cities and there is an optional Tokyo tour as well. Don’t worry, the program schedule allows you to freely explore other places on your own!