Spend your winter break studying Japanese language and culture in Tokyo through an immersive J-term program at J.F. Oberlin University, located in the Shinjuku ward just outside central Tokyo. This program is ideal for students interested in deepening their understanding of Japanese language, culture, and society while earning academic credit during a condensed two-week session.

You'll enroll in one course of your choice, with the option to take Japanese language at various levels (beginner to intermediate) or select from English-taught courses such as Cross-Cultural Studies (Anime and Japanese Popular Culture), Japanese History and Society through Film, or Management in Japanese Corporations. Language courses emphasize practical spoken Japanese with exposure to writing systems like Hiragana and Katakana to meet real-world communication needs. Non-language courses offer rich cultural and business perspectives taught entirely in English, allowing you to explore Japan's history, media, and corporate culture while building cross-cultural competencies.

Beyond the classroom, you'll experience Tokyo's vibrant culture through immersive excursions and interactive activities, including guided tours of neighborhoods like Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa, cultural experiences such as traditional tea ceremonies, and daily opportunities to engage with the local community. You'll be supported by WorldStrides' experienced on-site staff throughout your stay, with access to a detailed cultural itinerary in the WorldStrides Connections app, in-country orientation upon arrival, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Small class sizes and a diverse international student community of around 9,000 students create a personalized learning environment where you can build meaningful connections.

Housing options include hotel accommodations near public transit (with a 30-40 minute commute to campus by train) or a combination of hotel stay in Tokyo followed by a traditional Ryokan experience in the countryside among natural hot springs, where breakfast and laundry facilities are provided. Your program fee of $4,350 covers tuition, official transcript, housing, internet, cultural activities, local team support, in-country orientation, international accident and sickness insurance, and 24/7 emergency assistance. You'll be responsible for arranging and paying for your international flights, meals, books, personal spending, travel insurance, and international cell phone plan—though WorldStrides provides a budgeting worksheet to help you plan.

This program is designed for students at least 18 years old with a minimum 2.5 GPA who want to combine language acquisition with authentic cultural immersion in one of the world's most dynamic cities. You'll earn 4 U.S. semester credits (or 6 quarter credits) upon successful completion, with transcripts issued directly from J.F. Oberlin University. Whether you're a language learner, culture enthusiast, or business-minded student, this J-term abroad offers a transformative experience that takes you beyond Tokyo's tourist attractions to experience how Japanese people actually live their daily lives.