Go for an exchange year in Japan

Welcome to a nation like no other! Japan is the world’s third largest economy, and a trendsetter in culture, fashion, and technology. Japanese culture is widely known for its traditional arts as well as its contemporary pop culture. It’s a country where old meets new in a totally unique way.

Japan is made up of thousands of smaller islands, with four major ones: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Tokyo, the capital, is the largest city in the world! The Japanese climate varies a bit across the country, but overall, there are four clear seasons. The cherry blossoms in spring and the bright-colored leaves in fall are exceptionally beautiful!

Our exchange program in Japan

High School Classic is the traditional high school exchange program chosen by most of our students. It is the perfect program for you who long for a genuine cultural experience abroad and are willing to embrace all the surprises it may bring. This is how it works: You will be placed with a local family somewhere in the country, in one of the fascinating big cities or the beautiful countryside! If you are looking for an adventure, this is the program for you!

This is what is included in our Classic program for Japan:

• Departure month: March/August
• Placement in a carefully selected host family with full board
• School placement in a local high school
• Materials and departure meetings to prepare you and your parents
• Free interview
• Round-trip travel
• STS backpack
• STS diploma
• 24/7 emergency phone
• Personal service and contact person in both your home and host country

Read more about Classic

Extra: You can join a Japanese language course before departure at an additional cost (subject to availability)

How to become an exchange student in Japan

To become a high school exchange student in Japan, you must be between 15-18 years old at the start of your exchange year. You will also need some prior knowledge of the language, meaning you should be able to read and write some hiragana and katakana and pass a language test.

Once you’ve been provisionally accepted to the program, we advise you to communicate and speak as much as possible in Japanese. You will soon improve your language skills and before you know it, you might even start dreaming in Japanese.

In addition to language skills, you will also need to go through the following steps:

1. Submit an  application. The application is free and non-binding.
2. Schedule a free and non-binding interview with us. You are also welcome to attend an online information meeting, where we will explain more about going on an exchange year.
3. You will be offered a preliminary place in the program, receive our agreement, and pay the application fee. Then you pay for the exchange year according to a set payment plan. 
4. 4. The application process begins. This is where you tell us more about yourself, provide your previous grades, do a medical exam and more. Now is also the time to write a personal letter to your future host family and get the signatures from your current school. We are here to offer tips and advice!
5. After some time, you will receive the decision on your placement in Japan. At the same time, we will look for a suitable host family and you will also receive the final approval from local school authorities.
6. Visa preparations begin. We’ll let you know when it’s time to apply for a visa and provide you with instructions and the documents you need.
7. Now it's time to attend our departure meeting, where you will receive details on everything you need to know for your exchange year.
8. Time to go! 

Throughout your stay, we are always available for you – 24/7! Detailed information on the application process can be found here.

The number of spots for exchange students in Japan is limited, so secure your place today by submitting a free and non-binding application as soon as possible!

The school system in Japan

Your life as an exchange student in Japan will be a fascinating experience, full of new impressions. The Japanese school year begins in April with two or three semesters, depending on the school. There are six years of primary school, followed by three years of junior high and three years of optional high school, called kōkō. Typically, you'll spend around 37 hours a week in a Japanese school.

Most Japanese students choose to attend high school. This is also where all our exchange students will be placed. It’s up to the school to decide what year of high school that suits you and which subjects you can study. Some examples are social science, math, chemistry and biology.

Almost all schools have their own uniforms. How it looks and how often you need to wear it varies from school to school. However, you will be expected to have a neat appearance at all times. And remember that your teacher should be addressed as sensei (meaning teacher).

How much does it cost to be an exchange student in Japan?

In addition to the program fee you pay to STS, there are certain costs that you and your family need to cover. These, among other things include the cost of insurance, visa, school uniform, toiletries, any extra trips you want to make, leisure activities and pocket money. See the full list of what is included and additional costs here.

The amount of money needed per month is individual. It depends on what you want to do and your lifestyle. We recommend having at least 400 Euro per month and a buffer of around 800 Euro so that you are secure in case of unexpected expenses.

What it's like to be an exchange student in Japan?

Being a teenager in Japan is a unique blend of tradition and modernity. School life is intense and quite strict but also offers an environment for club activities fostering deep. Many teens balance studying with part-time jobs, socializing at karaoke bars, or exploring the latest fashion trends. Being a teenager in Japan can be challenging but also very exciting, and full of possibilities.

Get the true story! Read the real-life stories from our students who have spent their exchange in Japan.

What can you do during your free time in Japan? 

What you will do in your free time will depend on where you live, what your school offers, and the interests of you and your host family.

Most schools recommend that their exchange students attend extracurricular activities in the afternoon, like joining a club or a sports team. This is also a great opportunity to make new friends and practice the language. If your host family is interested in sports, you are likely to be taken to a sports event, maybe a baseball game, since it’s a very popular sport in Japan.

The cultural offering is both vast and exciting. There are lots of art exhibitions, both modern and traditional. When you live in Japan, you must take the chance to experience a tea ceremony. For manga and anime lovers, those traditional comics and films can be found everywhere!

Do you like gaming? Then Japan is the right destination for you. Millions of people are into computer games, played at home or in public arcades. Japan is a superpower when it comes to this kind of technical entertainment.

Do you like Japanese food? The Japanese cuisine is one of the country’s greatest attractions, famous around the world for being healthy and very tasty! Tako-yaki, sushi, sashimi, and tempura are examples of delicious foods you should try when living in Japan.

Also read our 10 tips for a successful exchange year.

Living with a host family

Being part of a Japanese family is truly a privilege. It allows you to get to know the Japanese culture from several different perspectives. A good thing to know is that In Japan, most exchange students change host families every third month, but you will stay in the same school. Throughout the whole year, your local coordinator will keep in close contact with you and the host families, to ensure that everyone has a good experience.

Some families may seem a bit shy in the beginning, but you will quickly get to know them and learn that the Japanese most often are very polite and warm-hearted. Not many host families speak English, so learning Japanese will be your key getting closer to the culture. Also keep in mind that it is very important to be polite and helpful when at home with a Japanese family.

During the year, there will be many Japanese holidays to celebrate with your host family. Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year, is one example. This is, according to tradition, the best time to thank the Gods (kami) who look after the harvest and to welcome the ancestral spirits who protect the family.

The cost of an exchange year in Japan varies depending on how long you choose to be away and any optional add-ons. See the table below for the starting prices of our Classic program.

Feel free to reach out if you are interested in a shorter program than 5 months; in most cases, it can be arranged.

See what is included in our prices here.