Japan

Age and eligibility

• the students should be between 15 and 17 years of age as of April 1 of the Japanese academic year, starting on April 1 and ends in March 31, of the students’ enrolment regardless of the arrival date.
• Any student who is currently in their final year of high school cannot apply for a January departure the following year. Japan does not accept recent graduates.
• Japan will only accept students a minimum B-grade average grades over the last two years.
• The program dates for Japan are not flexible.
• Japan does not accept students who are vegan/vegetarian and limits on special dietary requirements.
• Please check with our office if you have any medical conditions as this may affect your application.
• Personality – students should be mature, sociable, emotionally stable and have open and flexible attitude and willingness to adapt to Japanese life and people.

Language criteria

Japanese Proficiency – the students should have learned at least two (2) years of Japanese in school in past 3 years and should have at least grade 4 (four) level of Japanese Proficiency Test or its equivalent. Each student should be able to read and write all HIRAGANA & KATAKANA upon his/her arrival. b. He/she must be able to read and write at least 50 KANJI upon his/her arrival. c. He/she must be able to carry some easy conversation in Japanese upon his/her arrival. d. He/she must be able to do at least 1-minute self-introduction in Japanese upon his/her arrival.

In addition, applicants must provide a hand-written letter in Japanese to the potential host family. Students must also provide a movie of self introduction in Japanese (1-2 minutes). You can upload this as a private YouTube video and then share the link with your Program Coordinator. We encourage you to talk about yourself, your family, home and school… and please smile!

Program Length

Programs are available for an Academic Semester or Academic Year in April or August/September. 2 & 3 Month programs are also available.

Schools

In Japanese high schools, the typical school hours are from 8:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday, with classes ending at noon on Saturdays. This schedule is not uncommon in Japan. While after-school activities are not mandatory, the school provides exchange students with free study hours, allowing them to choose whether or not to attend regular classes.

Exchange students are expected to have a sufficient level of Japanese proficiency to understand instructions from teachers. It is important to note that sports are compulsory in almost all high schools.

Vaccinations

Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory). Please be sure to note all vaccinations you have received in your application.

Soft Landing Camp

Not available on programs in Japan.

Visa

Visas are required, subject to program length. Your Program Coordinator will provide further information in preparation for your exchange program.