Semester Programme in Japan

2027 Applications Now Open!

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.

Spend four months at a high school in Japan and learn about the culture and language of the country.

At a Glance

Travel dates: 18th August 2027 – 19th December 2027

Participant date of birth range: 02/04/09 – 01/04/12

Programme fees: £6925 + flights

Deadline for pre-application form: 15th January 2027

Live and Study in Japan

This school-based programme has been AFS-Japan's core hosting programme since 1963. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about Japan and the Japanese language by living with a host family, being part of a community and attending classes at a local senior high school.

High School Experience

Study at a high school in a new country for a semester. Make new friends, improve your Japanese, live with a local family, and become an active global citizen!

Education and academic achievement are top priorities in Japan. Students are expected to attend school on a regular basis, and show continued effort in their assigned school work.

All classes will be in Japanese and participants will ideally understand and speak some Japanese when they arrive.

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.

Stay with a Host Family

During the programme, you will stay with a Japanese host family for complete immersion in the culture and language. AFS Japan conducts interviews with the families and visits their homes to ensure they meet the necessary standards.

Supported by dedicated volunteers and staff, host families help students navigate their new school and community, make friends, learn the language and enjoy their time in Japan. Sharing culture and traditions helps families bond with students, creating lifelong friendships.

Please note that you will not have contact with your host family until you are in Japan.

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Improve your Japanese

Participants are expected to read and write Hiragana and Katakana upon arrival. They are strongly advised to study Japanese to a higher level than this before they start their AFS programme in Japan.

While in Japan, students attend a local high school and live with a local family, learning Japanese by immersion.

Participant Eligibility

On arrival, participants must be aged between 15 years 4 months and 18 years 4 months (born between 2nd April 2009 and 1st April 2012).

Participants should have some Japanese and be willing to study in Japanese.

A strong academic background is preferred.

Most of your questions about living in Japan will be answered by reading this document.

Any other questions? Contact us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What's it like studying at a Japanese high school?

In Japan, education and academic success are highly valued. Interestingly, high school isn’t compulsory; instead, it’s a voluntary choice students make. Teachers hold a position of great respect, and this academically-rigorous study abroad experience offers excellent language-learning opportunities, as all classes, including English, are conducted in Japanese. School typically runs from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to about 3:30 pm, with some schools holding Saturday morning classes as well.

As a high school student in Japan, many of your social interactions will take place at school. Many exchange students form friendships and learn more about Japanese traditions by joining after-school activities, such as calligraphy or kendo, a contemporary Japanese martial art.

While most students go to ordinary senior high schools, some go to secondary schools (a combination of junior and senior high schools) or Colleges of Technology (KOSEN, a combination of senior high school and junior college, which focusses on engineering). Some private schools have religious backgrounds and students may be asked to take part in religious activities as a part of school life. 20-30% of AFS Japan host schools are boys/girl’s schools.

To improve your level of Japanese before your AFS programme, we recommend these websites:

Erin’s Challenge! I Can Speak Japanese – https://www.erin.jpf.go.jp/en/
JF Japanese e-Learning Minato – https://minato-jf.jp/
Japanese in Anime & Manga – https://anime-manga.jp/

Where will I live?

What's it like living with a Japanese family?

Most families are traditional nuclear families; however, students can be placed in any type of family, including a family without children, a one-parent family with children, or a retired couple.

Upon entering your host family’s home, you’ll be expected to remove your shoes and switch to indoor slippers: a common practice in Japan. Japanese homes are typically very tidy, and cleanliness is highly valued, so you should be prepared to assist with daily household tasks. Punctuality is also a key aspect of Japanese etiquette.

Meals play an important role in family life, with traditional Japanese cuisine often served. You can look forward to enjoying dishes like rice, noodles, and green tea. Keep in mind that most meals include meat, as vegetarianism is relatively uncommon in Japan.

It is very challenging for host families to accommodate special dietary requirements and this may affect an applicant’s chance of being selected.

Host families are volunteers, and are not paid for accommodating students.

Can I travel independently?

Students must follow the AFS Japan travel rules while on the programme. Independent travel (any travel without your host family) is not permitted. Leaving the local host community with your host family may also require prior permission, even if it’s a day trip.

Since AFS Japan is required to report the programme end date to the immigration office and cannot take any responsibility for participants after this date, remaining in Japan after the AFS programme is not permitted under any conditions.

What's the visa process?

Type of visa needed: Student Visa

Students who are not Japanese citizens all need a CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) to apply for a visa. Once a student is accepted onto the programme, AFS Japan will provide the CoE application form with full instructions. Once completed by the student, AFS Japan will use the form to apply for the CoE at the immigration authority in Tokyo. Once the CoE is issued, they will send a scanned copy of it to AFS Wales. Students will then attach the CoE to their visa application.

Your Journey to Japan

In the months before departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities. These include an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience. You and your parents will also have an online orientation with AFS Wales before you travel, to help you feel prepared for your trip.

AFS Wales will arrange your international travel. You will need to arrange your own travel to the airport. Once in Japan, you’ll be met by AFS staff and volunteers. You’ll attend an arrival orientation with your fellow AFSers from around the world and get a crash course on Japanese culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Check here exactly what’s covered by the programme fees.

What's included?

AFS Medical and Travel Insurance (Please see the Medical Pamphlet for a detailed explanation of your coverage).
Support from AFS Wales, AFS Japan and the broader network of AFS International. AFS has 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programmes through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers. You will have access to worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance and an in-country support team and network.
Arrival (Tokyo), post-arrival and end of programme (in your local chapter) orientations in Japan.
Information on how to apply for your visa (if required).
Normal luggage allowance. 20kg max suitcase plus a 10kg carry-on (the size of the bag must be within 45cm x 35cm x 20cm, total 100cm). Only one bag is allowed per person. If you need additional luggage, you will be responsible for the extra fee.
Airport meeting on arrival by your host family or the host organisation.
Transport to and from your host family home.
Accommodation in a host family home.
Typically, breakfast, a packed lunch and dinner (provided by the host family).
Enrolment in a local school.
Most school books and teaching materials.
Normally, commuting costs for you to go to school (covered by the host family).

What's not included?

Flights. As prices vary, you will be charged separately for flights.
Additional luggage fees. If you need additional luggage, you will be responsible for the extra fee.
Domestic travel to your international departure city.
Visa application fee and any required trip to a Consulate.
Medical expenses and any required vaccinations.
School uniform (typically 6,000-10,000yen), PE kit (13,300-28,000yen) and school materials (5,000-10,000yen).
Lunch at school canteen (if you choose not to bring lunch).
Transport to and from school. Most students travel by public transport and are rarely driven to and from school. Amounts vary.
Fees for optional extra-curricular activities and trips. (Trips may cost 80,000-300,000 yen depending on destination and duration).
Field trips. These are additional trips offered by the host organisation and are completely optional.
Spending money. AFS Japan suggests students budget 10,000-15,000 yen per
month for personal spending money during the programme.
Guarantee to satisfy regional requests. We recommend applying early if you wish to be placed in a certain area.

What’s not included in AFS Travel and Medical Insurance:

Participant Third Party Liability Coverage: When a participant causes damage to someone else’s property or to another person, by some action or inaction, either accidentally or through alleged negligence, the participant is responsible for any damages.
Loss of Baggage/Theft of personal property of participants: Personal property is the responsibility of the participant even if lost or stolen during the AFS programme. AFS does not provide any insurance coverage for participants’ property and personal belongings.
AFS Participant Medical Plan Exclusions: The AFS Medical Plan has a variety of items that are not insured and which are the responsibility of the participant and their natural families. Please refer to the AFS Medical Plan for the list of exclusions.
Additional Benefits Exclusions: The Additional Benefits of the AFS Medical Plan has some different exclusions which are more restrictive than the AFS Medical Plan. Please refer to the actual policy contract wording for a detailed listing and explanation of policy terms and conditions.

Please view the Medical Pamphlet for a detailed explanation of your coverage.

Apply Now!

To apply for our Semester Programme in Japan, please submit this pre-application form by 15th January 2027.

Once we have checked your eligibility, we will send you the full application form and details of all required documents.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]