Greenheart Travel

Category: Language Camp – Japan

Exploring Fukuoka as a First-Time Traveler in Japan

Alana is a First Time Traveler Scholarship winner who attended Teen Summer Language Camp Japan in the summer of 2024. She told us about exploring her temporary home in Fukuoka.

By Alana, Teen Summer Language Camp Japan-Fukuoka Summer 2024

One of the expectations I had for Japan before I arrived was that I would be able to see many sights and do a lot of things, but I thought I would only be able to do those things with the school. I imagined everything would be too hard to get to by myself, but I quickly learned that that was not the case. I realized that there was always something new to try out and that places were relatively easy to get to even if they were far away. In Fukuoka, I was never bored and I always found something to do whether it was with friends or by myself.

I saw so many beautiful places including the white Torii gate at Sakurai Futamigaura, the five story pagoda at Tochoji Temple, and the Shinto Shrine in Dazaifu along with all the Torii gates located in it. With friends however, we visited more of the shops in the city and many restaurants where we tried many different dishes. We went to many Jump Shops, and different pop-up stores in the mall at Hakata Station. Canal City Mall was also a good place to go as there were many restaurants, clothing stores, and arcades. Hanging out with friends from school was also a lot of fun, as we all came from different parts of the world and therefore thought about things differently. We all were able to go together to places we each wanted to explore and show each other the things we liked and enjoyed.

For this reason my biggest take away from this experience was to come out of my shell and truly experience everything to its fullest. To talk to new people and make new friends, to learn about a different culture than mine, to go to places with people or alone to which I usually would not go to. I tried to not let my shyness stop me from trying new things and overall, I was able to experience so much and I am so grateful for this trip as I think it allowed me to grow as a person and let me see the world in a new light than I did before.

Learn more or apply for Greenheart’s Teen Summer Language Camp Japan.

December 18, 2024
My Host Family in Japan Opened My Eyes to the Culture!

Alana is one of Greenheart Travel’s First Time Traveler Scholarship winners. Hear about her experience while on the teen summer language camp Japan program

In the beginning of my program I was a bit worried about what my relationship would be like with a family that I have never met before. Would they lead a lifestyle very different to mine? I thought it would be hard for us to connect because they would have different values or expectations. I though that our differences both in culture and lifestyle would be too big and that we would not see eye to eye.

However, these differences were exactly what brought us together. Living with my host family was honestly one of the best experiences I had in Japan. We both got to teach each other about our cultures and language, something that I had never experienced before.

Because of my host family, I was able to experience many different local dishes that they would make for breakfast or for dinner. The daily morning meal would always consist of a bowl of rice and miso soup. This was something that I was not accustomed to at all back home, as I usually settle with bread and milk for breakfast. However, in Japan, I was set on wanting to try as many traditional or home cooked meals as I could, even though my regular diet does not include much fish or meat. With my host family, I ate eel for the first time, had delicious curry that they made, omelets, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, and tried many new flavors I had never tasted before. Although it was hard to adjust to these new foods, I really enjoyed being able to eat the food my host family prepared.

I believe that my stay with my host family allowed me to experience firsthand what life is like in Japan, go to local festivals, as well as to enjoy many traditional home cooked meals. Because my host family also had young children, they were able to teach me a lot of everyday speech and I was constantly surrounded by the Japanese language. My host family really encouraged me with my studies and I truly think that without them I would not be as motivated to learn as I am now.

Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp Japan Program

October 18, 2024
Greenheart’s First Time Traveler Scholarship Winners for Spring 2024!

Every year, Greenheart makes scholarships available to First Time Travelers. These scholarships are intended for those who have never traveled out of the country and want to immerse themselves in another culture. Here are just some of the winners of the 2024 First Time Traveler Scholarships and their thoughts on travel!

Name: Clara

Program: High School Abroad in Sweden

Why is the opportunity to travel for the first time exciting for you?

It opens a whole new world of experiences and opportunities, immersing myself in different cultures, trying new foods, exploring breathtaking landscapes, and meeting people from all walks of life. I’m getting a chance to break free from familiar everyday life and embrace the unknown. I’m excited to be in the shoes of a Swedish teenager and experience everything that comes with it. I’m hoping to be able to explore and soak up everything around me.

Name: Alana

Program: Teen Language Camp in Japan

What does Greenheart Travel’s Mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

“Travel for a Change” to me, means the opportunity of becoming more aware of other places and cultures in the world. It signifies the internal change that one will go through while experiencing all these ways of living life that are unlike our own. With the opportunity of traveling and visiting new places, you will learn new cultures, food, fashion, languages, and more. While you travel and come across all these experiences, you will gain a broader understanding of the world. The places you visited will leave an imprint on who you are and who you will become as a person therefore, changing you from who you used to be into someone with more comprehension of cultures and lifestyles.

Name: Naomi

Program: High School Abroad in Argentina

What does Greenheart Travel’s mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

To me, “Travel for a Change” means that travel breaks down barriers and prejudices between the traveler and those being visited. Furthermore, travel also builds bridges in the places of those barriers and prejudices. These changes that occur while traveling ultimately allow our world to be a more loving, accepting, and connected environment. As people begin to be more accepting of other cultures through travel, the world becomes a better place.

Name: Sadie

Program: High School Abroad in Italy

What does Greenheart Travel’s Mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

To me, traveling for a change also means you evolve who you are as a person and your perspective on what may be considered ‘normal’ because it provides the opportunity to see how others live! That’s why I want to actually live with a family in Italy. To live and invest in relationships with others around the world is a truly rewarding experience. Travel also forces you to grow as a person by stepping outside of your comfort zone, learning to handle responsibility, navigating different forms of transportation, learning about different currencies, language and relating to others with different backgrounds and traditions. I think travel has the capacity to help teens like me grow and gain so many more tools than what may be possible without the experience of travel.

Name: Madeleine

Program: High School Abroad in Ireland

Why is the opportunity to travel for the first time exciting for you?

Ever since I was young, my main goal has been to see the world. I’ve always recognized that there is much more to explore beyond my backyard. From the gorgeous hills of Ireland to the seaside cities in Greece so many call home, there are countless people to meet and endless astounding views. To not only get to travel outside of America for an extended period of time but to also be fully immersed in the day-to-day experience of the citizens there, is a first-time, life-changing experience. I am excited to connect to new people and to be able to return to the United States with a new outlook on my life!

Name: Kennedi-Grace

Program: Teen Language Camp South Korea

What does Greenheart Travel’s Mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

“Travel for a Change” implies traveling with the intention of being a forever learner. To learn how to make a change in your community by learning the values of the different cultures around the world. To make a difference in the communities we are a part of, we need to be able to see ourselves from a different perspective. To learn what it means to be a community and learning to come together despite our differences.

Name: Zev

Program: Teen Language Camp Spain

What does Greenheart Travel’s Mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

For me, travel symbolizes more than just visiting new destinations; it’s a transformative odyssey that promises to shape my worldview, enrich my understanding of diverse cultures, and foster a profound sense of empathy and connection with the world. Stepping beyond the borders of familiarity, I anticipate encountering unfamiliar landscapes, immersing myself in vibrant cultures, and forging meaningful connections with people from all walks of life.

Name: Jade

Program: Teen Language Camp France – Saint-Malo

Why is the opportunity to travel for the first time on your own exciting for you?

I have never gotten on a plane by myself to a foreign country. I’ve never needed to navigate my way to a destination, nor been forced to figure out how to find my way – no less all by myself. The idea of living in a foreign city, with a new family, and leaving my home family and friends behind is something I’ve never done before. While it is all a bit intimidating, it is at the same time exciting, interesting, and adventurous!

Name: Anna

Program: Teach Abroad Thailand

What does Greenheart Travel’s Mission, “Travel for a Change,” mean to you?

“There is a famous quote that says, “The sky is the limit, but there are footprints on the moon.” Like the Greenheart mission, this saying means that we create our own limits. We are not constrained to one location, aspiration, or situation unless we force ourselves to do so. Traveling can be intimidating, but it can also be the most rewarding accomplishment of a lifetime if we allow ourselves to have it. We are the creators of our own destinies, so only we have the power to step outside of the boxes in which we confine ourselves.”

Learn more about Greenheart’s First Time Traveler Scholarships

May 16, 2024
My Daily Life as a Teen Language Summer Camp participant in Japan

My time in Japan was some of the most fun, exciting, interesting, stressful and lonely days of my life. I loved my host family, especially my host siblings, my host brother who loved playing with
toy cars and making stuffed animals fight, and my host sister who loved making funny faces and playing games.

Navigating Japan was a challenge, but a welcome one, Osaka and Kyoto were wonderful cities, full of interesting architecture and beautiful areas of greenery that broke the
monotony of concrete. Using public transit for the first time in my life was a challenge, but the Japanese public transit system was clean, affordable, and (relatively) straightforward. The food
in Japan was incredible. My host Mom Yuki san made me the best spaghetti I’ve ever had with octopus and zucchini sauce. She also made me a fried porkchop that was so tender at first I
thought it was fish! The combini food was so good and affordable, me and all the rest of my GenkiJACS classmates ate at the 7- 11 across the street almost every day.

Many of the things I experienced in Japan were awesome, but some of them were less then, and at times, extremely stressful. On my first day, my flight from San Francisco to Tokyo was delayed, so I had to take a new flight from Tokyo to Osaka. Because of this I was quite late to my pickup point. I remembered in the email about the pickup that my ride wouldn’t leave without me, but because of just how late I was, he had left. This left me stumbling around the airport trying to figure out what to do for over 3 hours, lugging around 50 lbs of luggage on my back (I carried my luggage in an army surplus backpack instead of a suitcase) until I was able to call my school in Japan, and they called me another taxi to come and get me. I had the cool experience of my taxi driver being a JDF F-15 Eagle fighter pilot, and when I got to the Yoshida’s house there was a meal and a bed waiting for me. My first time traveling on my own was quite the learning experience. After thanking them profusely, I went to bed.

That morning there was no rest for the weary and I was off to school. Yuki san showed me how to ride the bus from their house to Takatsuki-shi station and from the station which stop to get off on. I was able to make it to school all right, and with some difficulty I made it back from school onto the correct train. After just barely getting off at Takatsuki-shi (I was distracted by the mountains) I realized I had no idea of which bus to take home. So after some pondering, I pulled out my screenshot of my host family’s information, and typed their neighborhood into my maps app. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enter their address, just the neighborhood. At the time I didn’t know that this would cause some major difficulties down the line. I began to walk to their house, down winding back roads, along deep green canals, and across busy intersections. The trek took me the better part of two hours. However, because I couldn’t actually find the Yoshida’s house I stumbled around looking for a pay phone (at the time I did not have a Japanese sim card) until Yuki san called me, then came and picked me up. It was, to say the least, an interesting start to my time in Japan!

These experiences, while stressful, definitely gave me a hands on experience for traveling independently for the first time and while it was hard at times, I’m happy to have gone through it and to come out with amazing memories overall. So glad I traveled!

To learn more about Greenheart’s Summer Language Camp Japan Program, check out the page here!

October 24, 2023
Trains in Tokyo – A First Time Traveler’s impression

One of the fascinating parts of travel is transportation. Once you fly in to a country, how do you get around? Do you take public transportation? Subways? Ferries? Walk? Uber? How do you figure out where you are and how do you get where you want to go in a foreign country where you may not understand the language…or even the alphabet?! Here’s Greenheart First Time Traveler winner, Christopher, to tell us how he navigated to his Teen Summer Language classes on trains in Tokyo.

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I recently returned from a trip to Tokyo, Japan as part of the Greenheart Travel Teen Language camp. I had to travel for over 2 hours every day as part of my commute to the language school from my homestay. In my journey, I utilized the Tokyo public transportation system to efficiently take me from point A to point B. This is my experience and advice for using public transportation in Tokyo.

As the biggest city in the world, Tokyo has a complex network of transportation that can take you anywhere in the city. Many people who travel to Japan for the first time may find the trains intimidating, especially coming from somewhere like America where good public transportation is only really found in the biggest cities. The area I live in only has a small network of buses, so the Tokyo train system was a big change for me to adjust to. The Tokyo trains are much easier to navigate then you might think.

A difficult part of the Tokyo public transit system is finding out which trains go where and how to get to your destination. The Tokyo metropolitan area is home to nearly 40 million people and contains over 100 different rail lines operated by multiple different rail companies. Using a cell phone with internet connection, Google maps can route you through this complex rail system to get anywhere in Tokyo and the surrounding area easily. It tells you when each train is coming, the platform that it will arrive on, and whether the train is an express or local train. It also contains the bus schedules, to help you get to destinations that might not be right next to the train station. Public internet is also available in many places including train stations, in case you don’t have a sim card or pocket wi-fi.

The best way to pay for your travels is through an IC card, the most popular brands being Suica or Pasmo. You can either buy a physical card at a JR station or buy a digital version on your cell phone. The physical cards can be reloaded with money at the station or at convenience stores such as 7-eleven, and the digital cards can be reloaded with a credit card in the app. These cards make it simple to navigate through Tokyo, as all you need to do is tap it when you enter the station and tap it when you leave. They work on trains and buses, and sometimes may be cheaper than cash or buying a ticket.

Another thing that may intimidate travelers is the language of Japan, Japanese. In the train stations, the signs can be found in English, along with some having arrows on the floor leading you to your destination. The stations can be difficult to get through at rush hour, but as long as you watch out where you are going to avoid bumping into people, you should be fine.

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Thank you Christopher for sharing your transportation advice! To find out more about other Greenheart programs like Teen Summer Language Camps or High School Abroad programs, visit GreenheartTravel.org!

July 25, 2023
A First Time Traveler goes to Tokyo

Traveling is such an amazing thing, especially for a first time traveler! Here is a report from one of our First Time Traveler winners, Christopher, who spent a few weeks in Teen Summer Language Camp in Tokyo, Japan!

My trip to Tokyo, Japan

I recently returned from a trip to Tokyo, Japan as part of the Greenheart travel teen language camp. I enjoyed my time abroad and would like to share it with you.

I left in the early morning from the Orlando airport. I had an early flight to catch, so I was up and on the way to the airport at 3:30 a.m. I checked my bag, got through security, and had some time to get breakfast before I had to board my flight at 5:30. I got on the plane, and fell asleep for most of the flight. I landed in Minneapolis around 8:30 a.m. local time, and had to wait around for about an hour until my flight to Tokyo boarded. After a long thirteen-hour flight, I had finally landed in Tokyo.

I arrived in Japan some time before my program started, so I had some time to do sightseeing around Japan. I ended up seeing Mount Fuji and visiting Kyoto, and then on Sunday, my program began. I took the train from the hotel I was staying at to meet my homestay family. I got settled in to my accommodation, had dinner, and then went to bed. On the first night I was exhausted and fell asleep quickly. The room I stayed in had a futon, which is common in most of Japan. I woke up early the next morning, since the sun rises at 4:30 a.m. in Japan. I had breakfast, and then had to figure out how to make it to my school in downtown Tokyo. I had to take a bus to the train station, and then a train from Kawasaki to Shinjuku.

I arrived at my school and had orientation for the first day. In the orientation, we received our books and learned the school procedures. I only had 1 class that morning, and then I went to get lunch. The other students in the school and in my class I attended were mostly adults, which was a little disappointing as I only ended up connecting with a couple people close to my age. After I had gotten lunch, I headed back to my homestay and had some time before dinner to start my homework.

The rest of the week was mostly the same, I went to class, had lunch, and then did some shopping or exploring the local area before heading back to my homestay. On the weekend, I went to karate with the children in my homestay, and then went to see a movie in Kawasaki.

The second week was mostly the same routine as the first week. At the end of the week, I attended the graduation ceremony at the school since it was my last day. I had evening classes that day, so after the graduation ceremony I went to my last classes before I left Japan. That weekend, I explored downtown Tokyo with a friend I met at the school. I went to Tsukiji market and Harajuku. On my last day in Japan, I packed my things, cleaned my room, and was on the way to the airport. The flight home was uneventful, and I eventually landed in Orlando where my family was there to welcome me home at the baggage claim.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Japan. I got to experience an entirely different culture and learn a new language. Japan is a beautiful country and I would definitely go back.

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Thank you Christopher for sharing your experience! Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language program in Japan, and about the First Time Traveler scholarship program.

July 25, 2023
Meet the 2023 First Time Traveler Scholarship Winners!

Greenheart Travel wants to help make travel accessible to everyone because we truly believe that when you study, teach or volunteer abroad, you embark on a journey that will significantly impact your global perspective! Each year Greenheart Travel provides scholarship grants to individuals who are “first-time travelers” and who have the desire for travel and cultural immersion. Our First Time Traveler Scholarships are available for our adult and high school programs and offer additional support and resources. Here are the 2023 winners! Congratulations!

Stirling – Teach in a Homestay in South Korea

My name is Stirling, I am 19 years old, and I live in London. I am currently taking a year out of school to work, travel and learn new things before I go off to university. I previously studied physics, maths and art for A Level (the school exams we take at 18 years old) and I’m going to study engineering in university. In my gap year I have been learning how to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL course), volunteering in a local school as well as working in a kitchen to earn money. I have lots of hobbies and passions, some of the things I enjoy are listening to music, drawing, writing, fencing, learning new things and reading. I am really looking forward to travelling abroad, this will be the first time that I have travelled by myself and lived away from home.

Joseph – Teen Summer Language Camp Japan

I am an enthusiastic pursuer of knowledge who is always looking for new experiences. Even though I do not play many video games, I enjoy hanging around my school’s gaming club to chat with my friends. I occasionally partake in community service at my town’s discount food warehouse. Lastly though, I love combat sports and martial arts, and attend classes around 18 hours a week. I also like creative writing/world building, and reading about history–especially World War I era aviation.

Christopher – Teen Summer Language Camp Japan

I am active in the Boy Scouts of America and recently earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout. I am interested in computers and robotics. I enjoy playing musical instruments of all sorts, including the piano and guitar. I have recently begun taking tennis lessons. I also enjoy camping and the outdoors. I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy going to places like Disney World and the gym with my friends. I like to go to the beach and to be outside.

Caleb – Teen Summer Language Camp – Spain

I enjoy many different things depending on how I’m feeling. I will paint when I’m feeling creative and mindful, I sketch when I’m feel like daydreaming, I play video games when I just want to relax, and I organize when I’m feeling a little too cluttered or need to clear my head. Art in all forms is a huge interest of mine, and I most enjoy the art of filmmaking, so I often find myself analyzing movies and tv shows to get a deeper understanding of the film’s message. The biggest things in my life that keep me happy are the people I surround myself with. I am a social creature, even if I don’t want to admit it at times, so I am at my happiest when the people around me are at their happiest.

Congratulations to our 2023 First Time Travelers! We look forward to sharing more about their travels in the coming months!

We encourage everyone to follow their travel aspirations and Travel for a Change!

Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s First Time Traveler Scholarship and take a look at all the places Greenheart Travel goes!

May 10, 2023
A First Time Traveler’s Impression of Japan and Greenheart’s Teen Language Camp

Every year, Greenheart Travel offers scholarships for First Time Travelers. Our goal is for more people to experience the joys of travel and the importance of cultural exchange. Here’s one of our First Time Travel Scholarship winners here to tell us about her adventures at Greenheart’s Teen Language Camp in Japan…. Take it away, Kai!

Without Any Expectations

I’m grateful to have experienced Japan in the way that I did: without any expectations. I truly believe that it’s the best way to go about many things in life. Before I left for Japan, a lot of my friends and family members asked me, “What do you think it will be like?” It was a question I wasn’t able to formulate a response to because I truly had no idea. I don’t think I was wrong to have gone about thinking, or rather not thinking, this way because, as a result, the environment I was in and the people I surrounded myself with never ceased to amaze me.

My Host Family

In the course of a month, I found that saying goodbye to my host family was my most difficult experience in Japan. Many people find it difficlt to adjust to new house rules, but with the assistance of our mobile translators and general interest in each other’s lives, my transition into my new home life was smooth and enjoyable. I found living with them, for the short time I did, to be very peaceful.

Langauge and Cultural Journey

My main purpose in having gone to Japan was to begin my language learning journey, and prepare me for college. I’m not completely sure what I want to study in college or do beyond that, but when asked, I tend to answer that I will study linguistics. The amount of Japanese I knew before arriving in Japan was close to none, but I think it only encouraged me to practice more after I arrived there. With the hours each week I spent studying at school along with my exposure out in the world, I felt like I had improved a lot in a very short time. To be quite frank, I had minimal insight as to what Japanese culture was like prior to going. But, beginning to learn the language only encouraged me to also want to delve into learning more about the culture and historical aspects of Japanese life. I guess they’re right when they say that when it rains it pours. I found myself never having days off because I was constantly out learning something new.

My school was very encouraging of this newfound interest, and offered a multitude of activities that introduced other students and me to the rich culture that Japan has to offer. Many of our lessons focused on the localized history of Fukuoka; however, my classmates and I also visited contemporary exhibits (think: Studio Ghibli and Hello Kitty) along with historical museums showcasing Fukuoka’s history and most interesting artifacts. On our many field trips, we also visited well-known temples like Shoufukuji Temple and practiced zazen with the charismatic and helpful guidance of a monk.

Working through Weather and Transportation Challenges

If I had to choose one thing I disliked about Japan, it would have to be the weather. Hot summer days are to be expected wherever you go, but humidity has never been something I’ve been accustomed to. My host mother pointed out that I had a daily habit of cursing the weather when I came home everyday. Even though I walk most places in the US, the added humidity definitely increased my endurance. Maybe the weather wasn’t such a bad thing, after all? Regardless of its benefits, the weather remained my worst enemy while I explored Fukuoka.

Fukuoka had a lot of sights to offer, and I found myself endlessly asking questions regarding direction and location while exploring. It’s very easy to make mistakes and get lost while abroad, and I quickly learned that the best investment you can provide for yourself is pocket WIFI. Many of my classmates went about this beforehand, and had little issues navigating their way around the city because they had a GPS on hand. I, unfortunately, did not. On my very first day of school, my host mother walked me to the train station and showed me which line to take to get to Hakata Station. I was on my own with only a station name and a general map of where my school was. After I arrived at Hakata Station, I began my disastrous trek to school by approaching a security officer for directions. When I asked him which direction I should head based on my map, he confidently told me to go west, so off I went.

For the next hour, I found myself wandering deeper into the city and being unable to read most of the street signs. It took everything in me not to freak out when I came to the realization that I was completely and utterly lost. However, with the help of a hotel worker, she pointed me in the right direction. It turns out I was supposed to leave Hakata from the east exit! The relief I felt when I arrived at school and was immediately welcomed by concerned teachers was overwhelming. For those of who are not well versed in the language of their respective language– and even for those who are– do yourself a favor and invest in a handy pocket WIFI tool or an international SIM card. It will save you a lot of trouble.

Overwhelmingly Positive Experience

My interactions with the residents of Fukuoka were overwhelmingly positive, and people were quite accommodating towards me even after misunderstandings. I became close with a couple local students my age, and talking with them expedited my language learning. My host family was very welcoming, and despite initially not knowing their language, we became good at talking by mixing bits of Japanese and English together. One thing, among many, that I was grateful for, were my host parents’ children. Their presence made my transition into a new lifestyle a million times more comfortable. Although they’re quite young, they were very intelligent and quickly realized that I couldn’t fully speak Japanese. This wasn’t a problem, and we communicated mostly through body language and signals to get ideas across. I loved them a lot, and enjoyed being able to both teach them a bit of English and learn from them.

When I came back, my friends and family asked me a similar question as the one prior to my trip, “Was Japan how you thought it would be?” I was again at a loss for how to answer, because I never wanted to place expectations on a place I’ve never experienced. However, now I can say with certainty that I had a lot of fun learning new things while I was there, and hope that everyone with an open mind gets a chance to travel abroad and experience it for themselves.

Thank you Kai for sharing your experience at the Teen Summer Langauge Camp in Japan! Readers can learn more about all Greenheart Travel’s Teen Language Programs on our website. In addition, follow us on social media for updates on when the First Time Traveler scholarship window opens again.

August 15, 2022
Q&A: The Language Requirement for High School Abroad Japan
So you’re ready to be a high school exchange student in Japan: Your U.S. school has agreed to award you credit for Greenheart Travel’s program, your parents support you study abroad, and you’ve been living and breathing all things Japan since you can remember. The only thing holding you back? The J apanese language requirement!

All applicants of the High School Abroad Japan program are required to show proof of one of the following as part of the application process:
1. At least one year of Japanese language instruction at the time of your application, OR
2. A level 4 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
Well, earning a level 4 on the JLPT seems like a pretty clear way to prove your Japanese skills, but one year of language instruction? That’s a bit less straightforward to prove, and how to do so is a common question for many applicants. We asked the Associate Director of High School Abroad and Short-Term Programs Allison to clarify.

Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Allison.

What do you mean when you say to have at least one year of Japanese language instruction “at the time of your application”?

You are required to show that you have had at least one full year of Japanese language instruction BEFORE you complete your application, not based on the time you would arrive in Japan. (It’s also required you have a good grasp of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.) So, if you are applying for the Spring 2022 or Fall 2020 High School Abroad program in Japan, the deadline submit your completed application is by September 15, 2021 for Spring 2022 (Psst! Get a discount on the Spring 2022 program if you apply by May 28, 2021). That means the latest you should have started learning Japanese was September 15, 2020!

Do I have to take the JLPT? Am I more likely to get accepted if I’ve taken the JLPT or if I could prove one year of study?

During the application process, you choose the way you prove your Japanese skills, either by showing proof of a level 4 on the JLPT or by showing proof of one year of Japanese language instruction. You don’t have to do both. In our experience, the majority of students opt to prove one year of Japanese language instruction instead of taking the JLPT. While a level 4 on the JLPT is very impressive, you are not less likely to be accepted if you choose not to take it.

So if I don’t take the JLPT, what’s the best way to demonstrate I’ve had one year of Japanese study?

If you can take Japanese at your high school, do that! Make sure to have at least one full academic year (minimum two semesters) on your transcript before you apply. If Japanese isn’t offered at your school, there other ways you can fulfill the one year requirement and other places to find a course. Most students do a mix of methods, from self-study combined with a weekly tutor to language exchanges and short-term intensives to year-long community college courses.

If you’re in the early planning stages and you’re deciding how to learn Japanese before you apply, think about it like this: What’s the easiest way I can show a possible school in Japan or potential host family that I’ve taken one year of Japanese? My best recommendation is to take a structured, official course, with concrete start and end dates, learning objectives, levels, and set learning materials (textbooks, websites, etc.). Make the application process easier for yourself by taking out the guess work of those reviewing your application (myself and the in-country staff in Japan!).

Where can I find a class, online course, or private tutor?

Have you checked our Teen Language Camp in Japan? You’ll learn a lot in a short period of time (and have a blast!), and it’s the perfect way to jumpstart your understanding Japan’s language and culture before you apply to the high school abroad program. You’ll be able to see the curriculum and prove your starting and ending level after pre- and post-course exams. However, this program lasts 1-6 weeks so you’ll need to continue learning once you return home.

Otherwise, you might consider local or online options. The ability to meet in person in your area with a Japanese class or private tutor will vary by your location. If you’re most interested in classes in person, you could try locating a local Japanese culture center or association for course or tutor recommendations, or reaching out to a local community college or university to see if they offer a Japanese course you can enroll in.

If you’re okay with an online course or tutor, there are many opportunities! A simple Google search will populate many results, such as Outschool. Some of the best options are online courses through universities, such as Oregon State, University of Michigan, and even other universities featured on online edX courses. Greenheart Travel also offers online Japanese language classes for teens!

Whichever option you choose, again — make sure you’ll be able to obtain an official proof of enrollment or completion. (For private tutoring, this could be a record or log of meetings and what you covered in each meeting, verified by the tutor.) You’ll need it for the application!

Does self study count as one year of language instruction?

Luckily, yes! But the truth is, it’s a lot harder to prove and a lot harder for host schools in Japan to understand. If you’ve only learned Japanese on your own, I’d recommend taking the JLPT to prove your level. One of the application requirements is a letter of recommendation from a Japanese teacher or tutor, written in Japanese. So if you study on your own, it’s a bit difficult to fulfill that requirement.

If you do study on your own, be very detailed from the beginning. I’d recommend starting an excel spreadsheet. There, you can log the times and dates you’re studying and exactly what you’ve used to study (duolingo? a textbook?) what topics you’re covering and how you’re measuring your progress. A good rule of thumb is to study 5-10 per week and spend no longer than one semester (around 16 weeks) on one level. Need some guidance? Check out our leveling guide here.

What happens if I apply without at least one year of language experience?

In some cases, we will still be able to consider your application even if you haven’t had a full year of Japanese at the time you apply. If other parts of your application are strong, we may be able to offer a “conditional acceptance.” This means that you are a good candidate and your official acceptance onto the program is dependent on a host school accepting you to study.
March 16, 2021
How One Teen Language Camp Alum Relocated to Japan

UK native and Greenheart Travel alum Tabby traveled to Japan on our teen language camp in Fukuoka in Summer 2018 and again in Summer 2019. Getting to know Fukuoka during her program was a great way to prepare for her current role, being a gap year student in Japan! We asked Tabby about her daily life in Japan, how her language camps impacted her, what she plans on doing next, and any advice she has for future students.

Making Takoyaki during the culture class on Saturdays during language camp. Courtesy of Tabby.

Is there any particular experience or something you learned on your language programs that inspired you to continue learning Japanese? What did you learn in those programs that you took with you?

I always knew I was going to carry on studying Japanese beyond the language camps, but going to these language camps gave me an awesome insight into what it is like to study at a Japanese Language School in Japan. It taught me about Japan in the way I needed before I moved here, about making friends, homework load, how the lessons work etc. Obviously living in Japan is different from being in Japan for a month or less for tourism. Due to this reason I am so glad I was able to experience Japan beforehand, I got to know the stores to go for certain things in preparation for when I hoped to move here, I also had an excuse to spend way too much money on restaurant food and various trinkets which isn’t something that I can do now that I live here and still need a job. The area of Fukuoka had everything I needed in a small and convenient city and it was a great starting point for getting to know Japan since it is a very foreigner friendly city and easy to navigate while having all the modern part of Japan and relevant stores like Yodabashi Camera and Daiso it also had several traditional parts like the beautiful temples and shrines and izakaya along the river. It is such a wonderful starting place. So, since I need to learn Japanese fluently in order to enter and study at Bunka Gakuen, I decided to save up and spend my gap year in Japan learning a language I love in order to enter the university I want to go to. I don’t usually love languages, I’ve tried French, German, Mandarin and Latin but I seemed to detest all of them but I found an unexpected love for the Japanese language which I am grateful for to this day. The camps definitely set me up very well for the future and I appreciate them being available.

Sanmon, part of a Temple in Gion. Courtesy of Tabby.

So you are doing a gap year in Japan to study at a Japanese language school? What inspired you to do that?

I had a friend who joined my school when I was 10 who was half Japanese, she introduced me to Japan through her personal possessions and the snacks she ate. Over time I became intrigued by this whole new world of different things and from there I had always wanted to visit Japan. I’ve also wanted to study fashion design beyond school for a while now, maybe 4 years or more, and after doing a lifetime worth of research I found out about Bunka Gakuen (a fashion design college in Tokyo) about 3 years ago and I’ve had my mind set ever since. When I turned 16, not long after realising my dream for the future, I found out about Greenheart and a Japanese summer camp they offered. I was very close to the closing date for applications but we managed to get everything in on time and soon it was time to go. I had initially wanted to be with a host family but since I was late in applying I had to go with the dorms which was one of the best decisions I made. It was surreal, I was finally in Japan after 6 years of wishing to go. At first I was disappointed that I couldn’t go to Tokyo because of my Japanese level but Fukuoka was perfect and ever since I arrived there it has always been a special place.

Could you walk us through a typical “day in the life” for you right now?

A typical day in my life would consist of waking up at 5:00am, putting my rice in the rice cooker in order to cook for breakfast. While the rice cooks I usually go to for a morning walk and buy any food that is needed or that I am running out of, since food in Japan isn’t packed with preservatives I have to go grocery shopping several times a week. Then I come back and cook and eat breakfast followed by hours of studying or drawing art. I then have lunch just before Japanese Language classes start before 1:40pm. After 4 hours of classes finish at 5:30pm I cook supper, do more studying or drawing then wash my dishes and prepare for the next day. I usually make sure I only go out on weekends to make sure I am 100% focused on my studies and making sure I have all my homework done and I usually pre-prepare for the lesson so that I fully understand the grammar. I don’t have a part time job because my Japanese isn’t good enough yet but luckily I had saved up enough to last a whole year without earning any money.

Tell us about the application process to Bunka Gakuen? What have you learned about the process of applying to a university in Japan?

I am not completely sure of the application process for Bunka Gakuen but I know that there is a lot of paperwork like there always is in Japan. It is the same application process for Japanese Nationals and Foreign Nationals except we have to present an in date visa, passport and residence card and we also need to qualify for N2 level fluency in Japanese. After that it’s just paperwork about sponsors and education level. There will be an interview held completely in Japanese and is usually held with 1-2 other people hoping to enter.

Natsu Matsuri summer Festival Lanterns. Courtesy of Tabby.

What do you hope to study and why?

As I said before, Bunka Gakuen is a fashion design university so I hope to study fashion design, mainly garment pattern design and garment construction in order to make new and interesting shapes and patterns in clothes. I hope to carry on in Japan beyond university and work in the fashion industry in Japan. I don’t plan on returning to England because Japan makes me a lot happier and unless anything bad happens, I want to stay here as long as possible.

Any advice for future students who hope to study or live in Japan once they graduate high school?

One piece of advice I have is you need to save at least double the amount of money you think you need. Moving in fees and getting to know places and shops is a lot more expensive than I expected. Especially if your Japanese level is low and you’re unable to get a part time job, you need money. I also suggest looking at starting in a sharehouse before moving to an apartment since sharehouses are usually furnished and cheaper, you also get to meet and talk to Japanese people which will help improve Japanese dramatically before going to bars and trying to find friends that way, it can be hard when your Japanese level isn’t great.

March 3, 2021