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World Campus - Japan Program

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World Campus International

5 (78 reviews)

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World Campus - Japan Program

World Campus International

5 · 78 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Japan
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Fukuoka
- Nagasaki

Term

Summer

Subject Areas

Asian Studies Communications Cultural Studies East Asian Studies Education Global Studies Hospitality Humanities International Relations Peace Studies Religious Studies Service Learning Tourism +3

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Housing

Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

$2,520

Price Details

Program Fee Includes:
* Housing
* Meals
* Transportation during the Tour
* Program Staffing
* Regional Learning related expenses such as entrance fees or for guides
* Access to all Planned Community Partner Resources such as Facilities, Speakers, Special Guests, as well as activities with Businesses, Politicians and Organizations
* All Program Content
* All Operational Expenses

What the Program Fee doesn't Include:
* Transportation from your home to the designated meeting place in Japan and then from a designated place at the end of the tour in Japan back to your home.
* International health insurance for the tour time.
* Extra spending money for souvenirs, socializing, shopping, replenishing toiletries, etc.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Last Reviewed: Jul 23, 2026

Wish List

88 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

World Campus International, Inc. offers you an opportunity to take part in short-term, non-traditional study abroad programs in Japan. You can choose to sign up for 3 weeks, 6 weeks or 9 weeks programs. Participants will have the unique chance to gain international experience as well as increase their personal and professional networks, all while enjoying the backdrop of Japanese culture, daily life and business through various activities.

What does having this kind of "unique access to Japan" mean?
1) A great chance to see Japanese cultural sites, eat delicious food and learn about Japanese traditions.
2) An opportunity to experience an authentic Japanese lifestyle by staying with host families.
3) A way to learn about modern Japan through interacting with local politicians, business people and teachers.
4) An opportunity to share your culture and volunteer your talents in activities with ordinary Japanese citizens, school children, disabled people and the elderly.

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Video and Photos

World Campus students learing Kyudo in Japan

World Campus students in Japanese summer festival

Program Dates

Application Deadline

March 31, 2027

Program Dates

June 11, 2027 - August 9, 2027

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 78 reviews

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Academics 4.6
Support 5
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.95
Safety 5

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Photographers

Showing 1 - 8 of 78 reviews

When I first signed up for World Campus International, I expected to see a new country. What I didn't expect was to feel so connected to the people and culture in just one week.

Living with a host family completely changed the experience. Instead of feeling like a tourist, I got to experience what daily life in Japan is really like. My host family was incredibly welcoming, and despite the language differences, we always found ways to communicate, laugh, and make great memories together.

The program also did an amazing job of balancing cultural activities with opportunities to connect with the local community. Whether we were planting rice, visiting schools, exploring shrines, learning about local traditions, or spending time with residents, every day offered something different. These experiences helped me appreciate Japanese culture in a way that I never could have through books or videos.

If you're looking for more than just a trip, this is it. You'll step outside your comfort zone, gain a new perspective, and create memories that stay with you long after you return home. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would recommend World Campus International to anyone who wants a genuine cultural exchange experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go into the program with an open mind and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. At first, staying with a host family or communicating through a language barrier might seem intimidating, but those moments often become the most memorable. Take every opportunity to talk with your host family, ask questions, and participate in every activity, even if it's something you've never done before. The more you immerse yourself in the experience, the more rewarding it will be. By the end of the week, you'll leave with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a much deeper appreciation for Japanese culture.

Pros

Great Experience
Amazing Host Family
Beautiful Culture

I found this program from this very website, and felt inspired by the way so many people found themselves changed for the better in all sorts of ways. As much as is in you to believe a random internet person, believe me when I tell you this is a wonderful program which you will adore and find yourself deeply changed by.

I made deep connections with my host families, with the staff, and with my fellow participants in ways that I could never have expected. I love this program with my whole heart.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

If I did it all over again, I probably would do all 9 weeks instead of just 6. Six weeks is a long time to be away from home. But believe me, this program has a way of making you feel the deep sense of family, of community, and of home-ness that you might think you'd miss.

Pros

Amazing fellow participants - selected very well by the staff
Wonderful staff - a great team of people who truly care
You will probably feel like you have to go back

Cons

I was incredibly sad both to leave the program and each of my host families
You will probably feel like you have to go back

World campus got recommended to me by a friend, I signed up and attended session 2. I have enjoyed my hostfamilies a whole lot, so much so that i have already planned to visit them after World Campus. There are not many places that made me feel as happy as World Campus did, be prepared to cry when leaving your host families.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most beautiful onsen

Pros

Family bonding
Practicing Japanese
Seeing the inner working of a Japanese family

Cons

Saying goodbye is hard
Costs (relatively speaking)
Not a lot of free time

I came into the homestay program a little nervous what to expect and if I would even enjoy it. However on the first night when I was assigned my family and walking up to greet them I know that I would love every second of it. I truly can not express in this review how dear to me my host family is. Every night we sat down at the dinner table I felt like one of their own children and I am sincerely grateful for everything they shared with me. I had travelled around Japan for 2 weeks with prior with the Shirane Foundation and experience the culture of Japan for a touristy perspective but this homestay opened me up to see the true beauty of Japan in a way very few visitor get to see. From the simple thing of the unique bathroom to the everyday mannerism. All in all this review does not give justice to the wonderful experience I had and the amazing people I had the honor of meeting and share a few days of my life with.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

There is always a little fear and excitement when you entire a new country let alone be staying with a random family, which might find hard to communicate with. However the beauty is that most people you interact with inside this program both local and other foreign participants are up for the challenge and have a genuine eagerness to communicate with you. Even with a sever language gap between my host family and I felt completely comfortable.

Don't be afraid to mess up or ask questions about their culture. In Japan there are a lot of little mannerism that I was afraid of messing up. however be open minded and ask questions and listen and try to actively participate in them this will make the experience so much better.

Pros

amazing host family
great food
wonderful culture

Cons

communication is challenging
being a minor there was one activity of wine tasting I could not participate in
my stay was only a week the three week program would have provided me the full experience

My World Campus International experience was the most unique experience of my entire life. Staying with a host family for the first time while it was also my first time going to Japan made me very nervous. I was unsure of what to expect and unsure of what activities I was going to do with World Campus International. I was essentially going in blind. However, after getting to know my host family and other WCI participants my nervousness quickly faded away. The hospitality shown to me by my host family and other participants is what made my experience so great.
Furthermore, the activities we did allowed me to broaden my horizon to a lot of aspects of Japanese culture. For example, going to an OSEN (Japanese Bath House) was the most relaxing experience of my life. I never thought I would actually go into one but I ended up thinking, I might as well do it since I am here. It was absolutely magnificent. Another activity I loved was going to see what a day of Junior- High school in Japan is like. As a student myself, I really enjoyed meeting so many new people. They were interested in learning about us , just as much as we were interested in learning about them. I made a lot of new friends that I even still talk to today - weeks after the experience.So, It was great to make those relationships.
Overall, I came into this experience completely unsure of how it would go and I came out of this experience more than satisfied with this invaluable experience. I heavily recommend this program. You learn a tremendous amount about Japanese culture, you build a lot of connections with locals, it is extremely beautiful everywhere you go, and it is an amazing culture shock for people traveling out of their country for the first time.
Thank you World Campus International for making my experience so great!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Park Golf with the locals was so humbling. The locals were amazing at golf and they were also so humble. I had a lot of good conversations with them about golf, their lives, and their goals. I had a great time playing golf with them and I want to come back to Japan to have a rematch!

Pros

Extremely Fun
Great views
Good connections

Cons

May be over stimulating at first

Thanks to my experience with World Campus Japan I created life-long connections, not only with the other participants, but also with the local Japanese communities encountered during the trip. The constant and active cultural exchange is what makes this program deeply unique. On the one hand, the fellow participants and staff members all proved to be caring, responsible, interesting, and like-minded people, and therefore enabled me to feel safe and at home, despite being on the other side of the world. On the other, the Japanese host families revealed their kindness and availability, by welcoming us all in their lives and treating us like family. The days were all full of stimulating activities, and their variety allowed us to experience the Japanese culture in all its aspects. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a way to familiarize with Japan, its people, language, landscape, and traditions. The amount of gratitude (mixed with a lot of nostalgia) I felt after completing the program further highlighted the impact it had in my life. I will never forget my days in Japan with World Campus.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Among other things, what I found incredibly striking was the strong contrast between the Japanese countryside and the bigger city life, to the point I kept wondering whether it was even the same country. Japan, in its variety of landscapes, offers something for every taste. And it is in this duality that I found the very expression of the country's ambiguous and fascinating position between tradition and modernity.

Pros

Enriching experience
Improving empathy and open-mindedness
Discovery of diversity

My host family in Isa, Kagoshima, as well as Carson and Adam's (participants from the USA)

Isa (participant from the Netherlands) and I next to the statue of Jinbe (One Piece), Kumamoto

Day with the students of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto

The entire experience was incredible. The stay in Isa City was incredibly enjoyable, and the families we met there were incredibly welcoming and friendly. The activities we participated in, such as rice planting, were enjoyable. I appreciate the program’s emphasis on stepping out of one’s comfort zone and trying new things. The staff is good at getting things done and working with you to make sure you feel safe. All activities we did were super fun. At the end of the home stay we put on a good show to the City of Isa. I would recommend for those who want to experience the Japanese culture.

It was so fun doing this program, everything that we did within a week would be something that I would do within 1 year!! Everyone was super funny and nice, it definitely made my Japan experience way better. I was also able to use the public bath in Japan and it was so relaxing, me and my friends would go to the cold water then a hot room and it made me so relaxed and I was able to enjoy the rest of my trip there in Isa city where world campus stayed at for the first session.

Overall, very fun experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising thing I did when I went to Japan was when I tried the public bath, never in my life would I thought that i would try it but it was so relaxing and definitely adjusted my brain chemicals.

Pros

Fun
Good amount of time to do things everyday
You get educated

Cons

Expensive
Mostly adults

Questions & Answers

Do you have to know how to speak Japanese for this program?

The answer is no BUT before you actually participate you think it is not possible to go along with or to engage in a conversation with a person/ family which speaks Japanese only. Actually, at WCI you are trained how to fit into all environments whether you know how to speak their language or not.

By Robert Kibaya on July 7, 2016

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I heard about World Campus through a friend of mine. He's a lighting expert who worked on a few of the theatrical shows at my high school.

I happened to be helping him out one night when I let slip that I've always wanted to go to Japan. He told me about a program he had been a part of for a few years, and that program was World Campus.

He had worked with the creator of the program, Hiro, in another program called Up With People, and the way he described the program and talked about how much he trusted and respected Hiro gave me full confidence that World Campus would be the best way for me to experience Japan first hand.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The total cost of the program covered housing, activities, food, and transportation between cities during the sessions. The total cost didn't cover extra expenses (souvenirs, medicine, food outside our activities/outside what our host families make, etc.), transportation to and from Japan, and travel in between sessions

So, if someone were participating in two sessions, transportation would be provided for between cities in each session, but it's not provided for them getting from the endpoint of session 1 to the meeting place of session 2 (although, all of the staff members were very active and willing to help anyone set up proper transportation and potentially traveling with them).

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I'd defiantly say to polish up on some of your Japanese, especially basic phrases and statements (Thank You, Excuse Me, Please, Thank You, etc). I'd also say to look into some of the customs of the country. I learned by accident that rolling bamboo chopsticks between your hands after breaking them apart is considered exceptionally rude. Be sure to look into electronic connections as well; Japan uses the same kind of outlets and wattage, but they don't have grounding sockets that are in America outlets, so I had to get a special adapter for my computer charger that made it fit in a two-prong outlet.

Also, plan for anything and everything. Too muchh supplies are far better than too few. I brought home souvenirs for my family and friends, and I really wished I had packed a foldable duffel bag so that I didn't have to buy one in order to fit all the things I wound up coming home with. Some of the things you think might be too mundane might come in handy (I connected with some of my younger host siblings by letting them play the Nintendo Switch I brought), and there might be things you'll need that you might under pack for.

Lastly, I'd say to go with the flow on everything. Try everything that's offered to you, volunteer for every opportunity, take every risk or challenge presented before you with full grit and vigor. By the end of your trip, you'll return home with a thousand different stories, and the ability to say you faced Japan head-on and had the time of your life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

You'll wake up generally early, especially on a day where the group is doing activities, as all meet up between 8 and 9 on most days. So take into account breakfast with your host family, and cleansing yourself.

After everyone meets up, we get debriefed by the councilors on the day's activities (rehearsing for the Arigato Event, visiting a museum, going to a cultural fair, etc). We also have lunch at some point during these days.

After the day's events, we are picked up by our host families (or we make our way home if we are asked to take public transport), wherein the rest of the evening and dinner is spent with them.

A week typically follows the schedule of...
- At the beginning of the week, we meet our host families.
- A few days of activities.
- A Host Family day where you spend the day with your host family.
- On some weeks, a free day where you can do what you want (within reason, and within the wishes/abilities of your host family).
- Close to the end of the week, the Arigato Event.
- The day we leave and say goodbye to our host families (or each other if it's the end of a session).

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was honestly meeting and staying with the host families.

For me, there was a basic, underlying fear about needing to impress or not wanting to impose in a stranger's house. This fear waned fast though. By the end of my adventures, my host families became the best part of my trip.

They volunteer to host you because they want to get to know you, integrate you into their family. And even with the families I stayed with had volunteered for World Campus before and hosted participants before (about half of mine), I found they were just as scared as I was, and typically for the same reasons.

I couldn't have asked for better host families, and I will never forget the time I spent with them.

What are some experiences that where different than what you anticipated?

I'll do an experience for each week I was there.

1 - I didn't expect the Nagasaki Peace Museum to be as moving to me as it was. I'll admit, I cried at one point during the tour (and even harder when we met a survivor of the atomic bombing).

2 - I had an absolute blast meeting and working with a Katana smith. I knew this activity would be fun, but I didn't expect it to be as exciting as it was.

3 - For week three, I got to experience a type of remembrance ceremony with my host family, and it was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. It was also very nice to meet and have lunch with the extended members of my host mom's family.

4 - I used (and got lost on multiple times) public transportation in Japan on my own this week. I'd defiantly say it was one of the strongest learning experiences I had whilst in Japan.

5 - I knew the Ninja Village would be gimmicky fun but I was surprised at just how much fun it was in a group setting. Between the rope climbing, river crossing, and VR ninja challenge, I found grew closer with my group more than anything.

6 - When we visited the university in this city, It was a much more inclusive and interactive process then what we've had thus far in school visits. I walked away feeling like a student in a way, and it was crazy fun.

7 - We visited the beach and the ocean on our last day of activities for the week, and it was the first time I got to visit the coast my whole trip in Japan. I had an amazing time exploring the beach we were on and catching some small crabs in the low tides.

8 - We went to a festival on after activities one day, and we saw an incredible fireworks display that lasted about an hour and a half, easily twice as long as any display I've seen before.

9 - I went to Hello Kitty land on our free day this week, and believe it or not, it was absolutely incredible. It blew all of my expectations out of the water.

Stijn Bekker

2018 Alum

Jacqueline Straumann

2014 Alum

Anders Bogsnes

Sean Cullen

Jotter Verhaeghe

Meredith Bradshaw

Robert Kibaya

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Staff spotlight: Yoshimi H.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Though it is not one single memory, my favorite travel memories are the friendships I have built. Through my travels and involvement in international programs, I have met people from many different countries and backgrounds, and some of those connections have become lifelong friendships. For me, travel is not only about visiting new places, it is about the people you meet along the way. The connections I have made around the world remain the most meaningful and lasting part of my travel experiences.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

One of the biggest ways I have grown through my work with World Campus International is becoming more adaptable and open-minded. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to interact with people from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. These experiences have shown me that there is no single "right" way to think, communicate, or live. Working with this organization has taught me that our differences are something to learn from rather than something to fear. Because of this, I look forward to meeting new people and discovering new ways of seeing the world.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the most memorable stories I heard from a return student was that a child in their Japanese host family became interested in their home country after meeting them. Years later, that child traveled to the student's country to visit them. It was a wonderful reminder that cultural exchange can inspire lifelong curiosity, friendship, and connection.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I were a participant, I would choose the World Campus Japan program. As a Japanese participant, I think it would be a unique opportunity to discover my own culture from a new perspective while meeting nice people from around the world and within my local communities. One of the things that makes this program special is that Japanese participants have the chance to take leadership roles and support international participants throughout the program. I believe this would help develop confidence, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What makes World Campus International unique is the strong connections between international participants and local communities. Rather than simply visiting Japan as a tourist, participants have the opportunity to experience daily life, stay with host families, and build meaningful relationships with people throughout the country. These personal connections often become the most memorable and impactful part of the program. I am especially proud of the way our team works together to support participants and make them feel welcome. That spirit of collaboration, hospitality, and mutual respect is what makes World Campus International so special.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that successful organizations build strong relationships based on trust and respect. When people feel valued and heard, they are more engaged and motivated to contribute their best efforts. This creates a positive environment where both individuals and the organization can grow. For me, success is not measured only by numbers or achievements. It is measured by the positive impact an organization has on people and the lasting connections it helps create. When people share a common goal and care about one another, success comes naturally. My hope is that each connection we help create can have a small ripple effect, encouraging better understanding and kindness between people.

Maki Honda

Operations Manager

About World Campus International

World Campus International organizes short term programs in Japan for students aged 17 and up. Programs can be done independently of each other or in conjunction, making your Japanese studies flexible to your needs, goals, and budget. Study Japanese culture and language in various cities across Japan and participate in not only classes, but also...

World Campus - Japan Program

World Campus - Japan Program

World Campus International

Program Details

Pricing

Alumni Interviews

Paul George Newman

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

What are some experiences that where different than what you anticipated?

Staff Interviews

Yoshimi Hufford

Staff spotlight: Yoshimi H.

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?