Eligibility
Program Description
Visa and Travel Documents
Getting There
AFS Orientations and Activities
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be between 15 years 0 months and 18 years 0 months old at the start of the program
- Have passing GPA and be prepared to participate in academically rigorous, intensive language study
- Be in good mental, physical, and emotional health in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policy
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Program Description
This 6 week program is designed to further your Japanese language skills through formal study while offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture of Japan. Learn about life in Japan
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Los Angeles and Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. Upon your arrival, you will be met by volunteers and staff of AFS Japan and taken to the Arrival Orientation site located outside Tokyo. There you will take part in a 2-3 day orientation that will help prepare you for your intercultural experience.
Following the orientation, you and the group will travel to your host community by train or by plane (depending on your host city) where you will be met by the local volunteers and your host families.
The host communities will be determined based on the number of participants. You may be placed in Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, or Fukuoka. Your site will be assigned by AFS Japan based on your current Japanese speaking ability.
All participants will reside with volunteer host families selected by AFS Japan. Your host family will provide room, board, and guidance to you during your stay.
Approx. 80 hours of Japanese language classes (4 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks) will be offered by a professional language school. Beginner Japanese speakers welcome.
Class are offered exclusively to AFS students (from the United States as well as Italy, Spain, and Sweden). Class size varies by language level but will be approx. 5-12 students per class. All language study materials will be provided but we suggest that you bring an English-Japanese dictionary for personal use.
In addition to your language classes, cultural lessons and activities will be organized by the language school and by your local AFS volunteers. These may include ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), sightseeing trips, and visits to nearby places of historic interest.
Additional information will be provided to participants prior to departure.
Visa and Travel Documents
A student visa is not required in order to participate in this program.
However, you must have a valid U.S. passport in order to travel internationally. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Los Angeles and Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and taken to the arrival orientation site in the outskirts of Tokyo.
After the orientation, you and the other students placed in your region will travel together by bus (or by plane if you are hosted in the far north or south) to your host community where you will be met by your host family. If you are required to travel to your host community by plane, please note that flights within Japan have strict luggage weight restrictions and you will need to keep your luggage below 30 lbs.
AFS Orientations and Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically – the local Pre-Departure Orientation, Culture Trek, and the Gateway Orientation – you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Tokyo. This will be a 2-3 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp immediately prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Japan. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
