Tokyo Summer

This program is temporarily suspended for Summer 2021. Explore our other study abroad programs for 2021, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more.

Summer 2021

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to cautiously assess how we can deliver safe, quality programming this summer.

While some of the details of this program may need to shift for Summer 2021—such as housing and field trips, based on changing travel/quarantine regulations—you can rest assured knowing that the essence of this program will stay the same, including the academic focus and the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom.

As always, every decision we make for this term will be guided by our Students First philosophy, which puts you, your well-being, and your academic and personal growth at the forefront. Our advice? Give yourself the chance to study abroad this summer by submitting an application, and know that we’re planning for all of the what if’s so you can have a safe, healthy, and study abroad-filled summer. We and our refund policy have your back.

Why Tokyo?

Tokyo will challenge you to experience the world in new ways as you immerse yourself in a culture that combines fast-paced modernity with age-old traditions.

What You'll Study

This program is excellent for serious students at all levels who seek to study Japanese language in an intensive 6-credit course. Course-related trips in and around Tokyo complement what you learn in the classroom, and help you gain knowledge of Japanese culture and society.

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Daily Life

Spend the summer living in an international city buzzing with life. While you stay in shared housing with other IES Abroad students, you will have the chance to practice your Japanese language skills and explore the giant metropolis that is Tokyo. Experience Japanese family life and culture during an optional weekend at a homestay in a rural town. IES Abroad organizes an overnight a field trip for all students to Nikko.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

You enroll in one required 6-credit Japanese language course, Japanese Language in Context. Courses are offered based on on-site student placement test results and usually include five to six language levels. Students who place into the 300-level or above may also take a 1-credit Japanese language elective, Learning Japanese Through Manga & Anime.

Wherever possible, our experienced instructors integrate course-related trips and project-based performance activities with regular coursework.

Courses

This is a list of potential course offerings. The final courses and the student level placement will be decided after completion of a language placement test administered during orientation. To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

NOTE: IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

Japanese
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
JP 101I - Japanese Language in Context Novice Abroad I	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 102I - Japanese Language in Context Novice Abroad II	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 201I - Japanese Language in Context Novice Abroad III	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 202I - Japanese Language in Context Novice Abroad IV	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 301I - Japanese Language in Context Emerging Independent Abroad I	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 302I - Japanese Language in Context Emerging Independent Abroad I	Summer	Japanese	6
JP 370 - Learning Japanese through Manga and Anime	Summer	Japanese	1

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Tokyo, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. Here are a few possible destinations:

Nikko
2 Days
Visit the spectacular Shinto Shrine, Nikko Tosho-gu, experience a Japanese ryokan with hot springs, and view some of the country’s beautiful mountain scenery.

Homestay
3 Days
During this optional short homestay experience, travel to a rural town to experience life with a Japanese family. You participate in cultural activities and get to know people in a small Japanese town.

IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Tokyo is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

The program begins with a specially designed, three-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad staff, your fellow students, and the city of Tokyo. Spend a portion of orientation in nearby Makuhari before heading to Tokyo.

Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Tokyo, it will feel like home.

Residence Hall - The National Olympic Memorial Youth Center is a residence hall-style accommodation that provides small individual rooms. The facility includes features classrooms, multiple cafés, a pool, and a gym.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Participate in optional cultural outings to such sites as:

Harajuku
Yoyogi Park
Ryogoku
Edo Tokyo Museum
Odaiba
Asakusa

Get to Know Your New City

Enjoy Art & Culture in the Roppongi District

Known as a shopping destination with excellent restaurants, Roppongi also has a thriving and lively art scene. When you visit, be sure to check out the Mori Art Museum and Observatory, as well as Tokyo Mid-Town.

Hike Mount Takao

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo? Take a day trip to Mount Takao, where the views are breathtaking.

Experience the Harajuku District

Make your way to this trendy fashion and shopping district (a must!), but be sure to see the popular Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park.

Learn About Tokyo at Edo Tokyo Museum

Observe the history of Japan’s great capital city from the Edo period to modern times inside this beautifully-contemporary building.

Spend a Day on Odaiba

Take a walk across Tokyo Bay on the striking Rainbow Bridge (where you’ll take in fabulous views of the Tokyo skyline) to explore this island filled with museums, theme parks, shopping malls, and more.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Summer 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2021	$5,610	$1,555	$135	$7,300

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

While in Tokyo, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Tokyo Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Tokyo experience.

The IES Abroad Tokyo Center is located in Makuhari, a modern city in Chiba prefecture, which is in the Greater Tokyo Area. The area around the Center has easy access to public transportation, plus offers many public amenities, like shopping and dining, a movie complex, a game arcade, parks, the beach, and open spaces to relax and hang out.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
Meet with staff in their offices
Study in the library
Bring your lunch to eat on the outdoor patio
Meet up with friends in the student lounge

Our Staff

Caleb Foale

Center Director

Caleb Foale was first appointed as Center Director in 2015 and his personal and professional experiences span the globe. Born in Britain, he grew up in the UK and New Zealand, graduating from the University of Otago in New Zealand with a degree in Politics. He then carried out research and postgraduate study in Japan and Australia. While in Australia, he earned two Master’s degrees—an M.A. in Strategic and Defense Studies from the Australian National University and an M.Ed. in TESOL from Queensland University of Technology. He also spent a significant amount of time living and working in Brazil, before his return to Japan in 2000. He graduated with an M.B.A. from the University of Leicester in 2016. He worked on an education related project in the Philippines from the latter half of 2018 to early 2019, and brings extensive experience in teaching and management in tertiary education to our Tokyo Center.

IES Abroad Tokyo Staff

Daiji Shin
Associate Director

Mariko Ishikawa
Field Placement Program, Homestay, and Customized Programs Coordinator

Hyung-Hye Lee
Student Affairs Manager

Risa Katori
Student Affairs Assistant

Natsuko Takahashi
Center Administrative Assistant

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.

In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

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student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

How We Support You

We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:

International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
And more!

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