PROGRAM OVERVIEW - JAPANESE FOR TEENAGERS >> Open to teenagers ages 16 - 18 years of age (for all language levels) >> Live with a Host Family including meals >> Combination of Japanese language course, cultural & outdoor activities >> Program length 2,3,4 weeks - June, July, August >> Study with international students! This program is designed for mature, independent thinking teenagers who enjoy and handle limited individual supervision, traveling to/from school, after class and at the weekends. The program offers students the experience of living & studying in a foreign country, meeting other students of the same age and older (who may not speak the same language), experiencing and adapting to the local culture (very different from back home) and given the independence to explore, all under the supervision of experienced staff. Students will have plenty of independence however will have school / accommodation rules and curfews to obey, they will be under supervision by our staff. PROGRAM INCLUDES: Japanese lessons & materials - private Host Family accommodation (with curfew and strict rules) - bilingual guides and counselors - full program of activities & tours - insurance. NOTE: enrollment numbers are limited so please sign up early to ensure space in this program.

QUICK LINKS - just one click away!

Spend your summer in KANAZAWA
enjoy a full schedule of leisure, cultural activities and excursions with other international students of the same age....

Kanazawa is located on Honshu, Japan's Main Island, and lies on the coast between the mountains and the sea. It is a modern city yet has a history and is one of Japan's foremost castle towns.

The city was built in the 15th century and was the richest walled city in Japan during the Edo period and boasts many places of historic and aesthetic interest: the splendid Kenrokuen, known as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, and lshikaw a-mon, the commanding gate to the old castle grounds.

In Kanazawa, one is acutely aware of the change in seasons. Not only is Kanazawa's natural scenery a colorful delight year-round, but every seasonal change is so carefully celebrated in Kanazawa's traditional cuisine, decor and yearly events that one comes to feel as if there are many more than four seasons.

Our school is located in the nicest part of Kanazawa, in the heart of the city center and is within a few minutes walking distance to the main train station and the Yokoyasue-Cho shopping area.

The main street and Omicho Market are only 3 blocks away and most places of interest, including parks, museums, historic buildings are within walking distance or a short bus ride away.

The school is housed in the modern International Exchange Center which is an architecturally attractive building located on the corner of two streets. The small modern school is very relaxed, students and teachers form a friendly atmosphere.

School facilities include:
5 bright large classrooms
Social areas / lecture rooms
Small class sizes average 8 students
Wireless internet access
Bicycles can be rented from the school
Satellite televisions and a public library with free Internet access.

Bicycles are the most convenient method of transport for getting around town. (Bicycles can be rented from the school) The nearest mountains and beaches are only half an hour away on bicycle. There are also beautiful riverbanks where you may enjoy jogging.

Students will need (6) I.D. passport photos for various applications and certificates after you arrive in Japan. For example, you will need identification photos to apply for a foreign registration card, and to register at the school.

This program is an excellent option for school groups of 10 or more students travelling and study together. For more information on our Teenagers Abroad Groups Services and Options, please click on this link: GroupsAbroad.com

Standard: (24 lessons per week).
a good knowledge of English is a requirement for this course, class sizes max 13, students will be mixed and could be in classes with more mature students 18+

Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. Programs are designed for all levels of the language and a lot emphasis is placed upon the speaking ability of the student.

After classes are over for the day our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life.

Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates. Our afternoon program offers the students the opportunity to learn more and understand Japanese culture and society. Activities could include: tea ceremonies,Kimono clothing, calligraphy and origami (paper-folding), sporting activities, cookery courses. Lectures are in Japanese or English - so you need a good basic knowledge of English.

Other optional visits and day trips could include visits to local Schools (elementary to university levels), Zen Temple and Mediation, Sake Brewery, Police Station with a lecture on police/koban system and martial arts demonstration, Historical Trail Walk Tours (Kenrokuen Gardens, Geisha Quarter, etc.) and the Noh Theater.

At the weekend many students arrange to take our optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest: Noto Peninsula (northern Ishikawa) - A scenic coastal drive, a visit to a Shinto shrine and Buddhist Zen Temple, a Ryokan (Japanese style hotel) tour, a lacquer ware workshop, and an onsen experience (hot spring bathing),Kaga (southern Ishikawa).

Others trips include: a Taiko manufacturer (Japanese drum) & taiko-style drumming demonstration and lesson, a visit to Kirin Beer Brewery, a visit to a Buddhist temple, Ryokan (Japanese style hotel) tour, and an onsen experience (hot spring bathing). Gokayama Mountain Villages - A scenic drive to Mt. Hakusan, a visit to a Shinto shrine, a visit to Gassho-style farmhouses designated as UNESCO World Heritage, and a Japanese washi paper making workshop.

Host Family: (private room - 2 meals daily)

All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 10 to 30 minutes away.

There will be at least one person in the family or neighborhood who can communicate in basic English on your behalf.

The lifestyle in a Japanese household is a mixture of traditional and more modern western styles. Futon beds, tatami mats and western beds and chairs often times coexist under the same roof. In most families the baths will be Japanese style: the body is washed first before entering the deep bathtub.