Illinois Year-in-Japan, since 1976

I was one of the 30-ish exchange students at Konan University in fall 2017. It was a very fun and unique experience overall.

I believe we all have some sort of stereotype views about Japan. Most of them are pretty much accurate, but you really can't understand the reasons behind these labels unless you actually live here. If you are like me, who wants to discover what Japan and Japanese people really are, I think you will enjoy this program as much as I did.

To the program itself, it is very well organized. We were taken great care the second we landed at Kansai International Airport. We had a bus that brought us to a hotel where we spent three days getting to know more about the program and Japan. They didn't expect us to know anything about Japan or the language. They even gave us 5000 yen ($50) lunch money assuming we didn't carry any cash with us. The Japanese service is real. Everything was taken care of to make sure we had a smooth transition in every detail into our new lives in Japan. At the end of the hotel orientation, host families and dorm manager came and brought us back home.

I highly recommend the host family. Most of them are old couples who live in big houses that are too big for them. They take care of you from all aspects and also make sure to give you comfortable personal space and privacies in the house. I rarely heard complaints or conflicts with the host families from my year. For the most part it's like "My host Dad is a retired cook so he makes the best food in Japan but he always make too much than I can eat so I feel bad and always eat too much" kind of complaint. Most host families are very experienced. They won't be on the list any more if they are not good.

Academically, Konan University is probably not the most hard working school given the American standard. There was very little homework so you may need to ask for more or find something yourself if you really want to push yourself. But at the same time, it gives you a lot of freedom after school and during the weekends. You can find a part-time job, which basically every Japanese college student does, if you have certain level of Japanese. You can travel, buy anime stuff, go to the concert, hot spring, mountain climbing, etc.. If you are used to the workload at UIUC, I can't imagine homework will be a problem for you.

Japan is fun. YIJ program in Kobe was a fun experience that definitely has huge impact in my life.
I hope you find my review helpful.

Finally, yes, Japanese people do cross the street when it's red light, but only when no kids are around watching.

I went on the Year in Japan (YiJ) program my senior year of college (2015-2016) and it was by far the best year of my college career. Hesitant to be away from home for a long period of time, I was actually only planning to do half of the YiJ program (i.e. Fall semester only) and come back to Illinois, but within a matter of weeks I was enjoying myself so much that I asked to extend my stay and complete the full year long program.

First, the location, Kobe, is an amazing place to live. Kobe boasts a beautiful mountain view no matter where you look, it's just a walk to the sea shore, and there are tons of shops, restaurants, and malls in the area that you can easily buy anything you need [or want]. Additionally, no matter what part of Japan you're looking to explore, the area is extremely conveniently located in between all of the major destinations within the Kansai region of Japan (e.g. Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, etc.), and even Tokyo is a very quick plane ride away. The program itself also provides you more than enough time to travel and explore.

Second, the staff running the YiJ program are incredibly helpful, kind, and supportive. They will handle and work you through any concerns or difficulties you may have regarding your health, adjusting to life in a foreign country, or simply learning how to get along with the people around you. The on-site staff, the Japanese teachers, and my resident adviser were always there to listen and answer my questions.

Last, the students at Konan University, particularly the ones who frequent the Global Zone [which hosts the majority of international student events], are incredibly warm and welcoming. They are all eager to both teach incoming students about Japan, as well as learn about other cultures. Interacting with the Konan University students and getting to know each of them is what truly made my trip fulfilling and worthwhile.

That being said, I won't say my time in Japan was a fairytale or any kind of long vacation. Because the length of the program is a full academic year, it offers you the opportunity to genuinely experience Japanese society. My Japanese improved not only through taking classes, but also by working through conflict and exchanging ideas with my host family, my teachers, and my Japanese friends. The YiJ program showed me everything I love about Japan, just as it showed me the parts of Japan I can't always agree with. I think this was one of the most valuable parts of my study abroad. This program gave me the chance to not only explore Japan, but also become a part of society and experience everyday life. I absolutely recommend the Year in Japan program to anyone who is looking to deepen their cultural understanding of Japan.

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.