CIEE College Study Abroad in Tokyo, Japan

This program offers a lot of fun events that really made things fun and the orientation in the beginning really helped to make friends with the others in the program. There's amazing support from the on-site staff that I would say it's a lifesaver. I got to go to various places and experiences various things like sushi making, washi making, and attending a philharmonic orchestra performance for free because of this program. I also really appreciate the transportation reimbursements they do for their events and they also offer cultural reimbursement for things you do on your own. I've met some really amazing people through this program and the director of the program also gave me some advice when I asked about career paths,etc. It's definitely worth picking this program if you want to be in Tokyo.

Arriving with the sakura in full bloom was the perfect start to an amazing study abroad. You quickly make friends with others in the group as you go on scavenger hunts and explore the city. The program and your peers are very supportive and we all share the same fears about being in a new country. My homestay family was very flexible and caring. My host mom would send me messages reminding me to drink water and eat salty things when the heat wave hit Tokyo.

Throughout the application process to CIEE's program, every question I had was either followed by a rapid email reply, or a phone call. The longest I ever waited for a response was when my flight was delayed on the way to Tokyo, and I couldn't check my emails on the plane.
One major thing that I had worried about while studying abroad was financials, and CIEE made sure to sponsor multiple excursions, adventures, and activities for its students. These excursions include going to Hiroshima and Miyajima, touring Kamakura, going to Sumo, getting tickets to museums, and much more! Furthermore, I was able to experience multiple cultural day trips, and be reimbursed after. Not only does this help save money for the students, but it allowed us to go on twice the amount of adventures that we normally may have!
Something that future participants should know is that if you're at any time feeling stressed out, or just need someone to talk to, CIEE has an office that is conveniently located on the Sophia campus that you can relax in any time between 10 and 5. Even if you just go to the office for a quick lunchtime snack, you'll be sure to leave in a happier mood then when you came. Talking to the CIEE staff is like talking to a friend. Be it movies or places to go, the office staff will help you out.
From my time in this program, I have gained a large support network, ideas for future jobs, and have met some highly influential people that I can call my friends. Everyone in the program has a unique background, and this really helps to create an ongoing network.
TLDR: If you wish to have fun, learn a lot, meet people, and make amazing memories, apply to CIEE's Tokyo program.

One of the best experience ever. Studying abroad 3 times, I would say Tokyo has been the most fun and eye opening. The program itself is great, they are there to support you and help you with what ever you need, they make the extra mile to make sure you are safe and enjoying your experience in Tokyo. CIEE staff is one of the best around and they personally try to get to know you as a student and person. CIEE you are truly the best!
Tokyo is such an amazing city to visit and to live there for 4 months has been a dream come true. I recommend everyone who is questioning whether or not to study in Tokyo to take the leap of faith. The city is welcoming!
The academics however could be a bit better. Sophia University is a great school but may not be what many students from a foreign country is use to. Faculty can be a bit more organized and lectures can be more clear. There was a lot of self teaching and not much help and support from the school itself. The language class was very difficult and demanding but really rewarding. The professors for the language classes are use to teaching foreign students and have so much passion in teaching students who want to learn Japanese.
Homestay or dorm, either experience is a fun and meaningful one. I did home stay and was a bit challenging for me but over the 4 months I learned so much from my host family and they contributed so much to my experience.
The city and country has so much to do, you will never be bored. I miss Japan already and I only left about three weeks ago!

CIEE sets you up to have a great experience in such amazing country. They give you a home base to plan your grand adventures through the wonderland that is Japan. I traveled throughout Japan's major cities and experienced Japanese culture in all different parts of Japan. I was able to embrace a different education system and try exotic new foods. I did so much in one semester but my all time favorite memory was scaling Fuji san ( Mt.Fuji ) with my friends. I was able to climb to top in time for a epic awe-inspiring sunrise it was such amazing time. One tip I would give is make friends with Japanese students it will help with your language skills plus they are funny and extremely nice and make great friends.I just recently had my friend from Tokyo come visit me in Boston and we had so much fun. I definitely recommended this program anyone that wants amazing study Abroad experienced. I will definitely be looking for a job in the future that revolves around Japan.

I never quite liked to share my trials as a wheelchair user so I never mention it much. Not only do I not like the "special" attention I also don't like being a burden to anyone else. However, ever since I started learning Japanese I've always wanted to study abroad to Japan, but because of my disability I thought I'd be a hindrance and my dream would just stay as a dream. But CIEE helped my dream become a reality!
The staff at CIEE made all the accommodations I needed, and had made preparations I didn't even know I needed to make my transition to a new country as smooth as possible. Some examples include making sure all activities, including the school and home, were wheelchair accessible and made sure I'd be able to participate. It really set my mind at ease knowing that my needs were known and the CIEE staff made me feel so safe and welcome that I felt as if I were seeing old friends again for the first time. And although they weren't my real family they gave me all the support and care I had required just as my family would have gave back home.
As for Japan, I don't want to put out the allusion that everything was wheelchair accessible, but many of the facilities were excellent for wheelchair users and public transportation is the best (if not the best in the world). In addition, I was so grateful and shocked to find everyone I encountered in Japan were so willingly and earnest in wanting to help me out, (whether I needed the help or not), when there was an obstacle in my way they made sure I didn't go unnoticed. From the hotel staff, to the clerks in the convenient stores, station attendants on the subways, to the professors at Sophia University, and to even the random strangers you meet on the crosswalks, thank you so much for going out of your way to show hospitality and kindness to a complete stranger. It made my experience to Japan that much memorable and unforgettable!

Everything in Tokyo is so convenient for example trains, schools, and most importantly food. I met some of my best friends in this program. Three years later they are still my closest friends even after the program ended. This program taught me a lot about Japan and about life in general. Great staff, awesome school, and a wonderful adventure. I now live and work in Japan, it's been one great of a ride so far. I recommend this program to anyone seeking to explore a new country, you won't regret it!

I am born and raised in the United States with a strong Japanese influence from my parents. I also attended Japanese School since kindergarten to high school and consider myself fluent in Japanese. On top of that, my family lives in Japan and I often visit them during vacation. Therefore, for the first 2 years of college, I was reluctant to go to study abroad since it felt like I would be "cheating" the system. Even when I landed in Tokyo to begin this journey, I was unsure if I had made the right decision. But the CIEE Tokyo staff welcomed me as if they could read my mind with a warm smile and helped me ease into studying abroad seamlessly. The staff here are hard working, caring, and are always available for help and support. The program also provides students with tickets to various events around Tokyo throughout the semester, and I personally took advantage of this and filled my weekends up and to push myself to get out.

There are, obviously, different shapes and forms of studying abroad, and it depends on what the individual is looking for. However, this program will help you make your "study abroad dreams" come true with their flexibility and support.

I made life-time friends, uncountable number of memories, and most importantly, fulfilled my childhood dreams. I would, with no doubt, recommend this program to anyone who is interested in studying abroad in Tokyo within a heartbeat!