Japan

Tradition, technology & transformation

Tea ceremonies, graceful gardens and tranquil temples along with high-speed trains, striking efficiency and hyper-modern skyscrapers are essential to the dynamic Japanese culture.

Social life for teens in Japan mostly happens at school and in extracurricular clubs for sports (baseball, soccer, basketball, judo, kendo or Japanese fencing, karate or track) and culture (English, broadcasting, calligraphy, tea ceremony, drama, orchestra, cooking, science and math). Japanese teens also enjoy  the culture of kawaii (everything cute and lovable), J-Pop (Japanese Pop music), manga and anime. Karaoke (singing) with friends is also very popular. Staying out late at night is not very common for teens.

Another Day, Another Yukata Another Picture With My Host Sister ✨ #yukata #exchangestudent #japan #funtimes

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Host Family & Community

You can live anywhere in Japan, but most likely in suburban and rural areas. Japanese society also has a strong respect for seniority. Keeping the home clean is also a high priority, so expect to help your host family with daily chores and activities. In most Japanese families, traditional food is important and meals are shared together. Take off your shoes and change into slippers when you enter anyone’s home.

School

Education and academic achievement are top priorities in Japan. Schools in Japan run from April to March (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 3.30 pm). You will wear a uniform and commute by bike, bus or train. All students take part in a school cultural festival and a sports festival which are held every year. After the school day ends, you’ll participate in a tradition called souji, when everyone gets together for 30 minutes to help clean the school and grounds. You can also join other extracurricular clubs and activities. 

Food

Food is art in Japan, and your host family will most likely prepare some amazing meals. The Japanese diet consists largely of rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, fruit, meat (mostly pork and chicken) and seafood. Meals are eaten with chopsticks. Rice and green tea are part of almost every meal. For dessert, you can try traditional wagashi, which includes delicious treats like mochi (a kind of rice cake) flavored with sweet red bean paste.

Language

Japanese is the official language of Japan and it will be good to have some prior knowledge of the language before the program. Having a basic knowledge of English will be helpful. Host schools and local AFS chapters will offer Japanese language lessons upon arrival.

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Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.
TEEN PROGRAMS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

Our learning program will prepare you for an amazing AFS intercultural experience. The program begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations and other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations will help you maximize your experience, cope the challenges of navigating a new culture and community and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding, throughout your time abroad, and as you return to you home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family through your learning journey abroad.

ADULT PROGRAMS (18 YEARS OR OLDER)

The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program will support your intercultural learning experience. This state-of-the-art program prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your AFS experience and long after you finish the program. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organizations believe will help achieve their social impact goals. You will receive your certification upon completion of the training program.