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Tokyo Summer
The program has been suspended for Summer 2022. To view our other study abroad programs for this summer, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more visit the Summer 2022 Study Abroad page.
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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.
| 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 such as classrooms and cafés.
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.
Visit Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Walk across the iconic scramble crossing in Shibuya--one of the most recognizable Tokyo sights and the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.
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 | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | $5,740 | $1,571 | $135 |
$7,446 |
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
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
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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.
Group gatherings will not be possible in the center as we cannot ventilate it for the number of students we have.
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.
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!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
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Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
