Who should apply for YIJ? For those of you who loves to learn the Japanese language and Japanese culture, YIJ’s academic curriculum will make you (or at least made me) very happy. The Japanese teachers and Konan/KIEC staffs are very nice and friendly,

you can always talk to them if you have any questions. For those of you who likes Japanese anime/games/manga/goods, go explore Sannomiya, and you will find your “heavenly realm”. For those of you who likes the city and nature, Kobe (where Kobe Beef and YIJ’s host school is located) has mountains on one side a beach on the other and in between you will also have a taste of the urban atmosphere (Osaka, the second largest city of Japan, is next to Kobe). For those who want to travel around Japan, Kobe is also not too far away from Kyoto and Himeji, and YIJ offers field trips that takes you and your other study abroad friends to live your Japan life to the fullest. For those of you who are social animals, you get to meet many other study abroad students who are also interested in Japan just like you, and if you would like to get to know more Japanese people, join a school club/circle, go to a Izakaya or a bar! If you are the more chill type of person who would appreciate some quality alone time, there are so many good (student-friendly priced) cafes around Kobe where you could read a book and enjoy the coffee and desserts, or you could do a self-travel as Japan is very safe to do so (PS: most Japanese hostels are surprisingly clean and cheap). For those of you who are tight on a budget, every YIJ students from the year I went were able to receive scholarships from Konan or the Japanese government. Konan University also offer tutoring job opportunities where you teach/talk with Japanese students in English and at the same time, develops your interpersonal and communication skills. Questions? I hope some people find my review to be helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to me on Instagram! I am more than happy to share some of my personal experience and maybe provide you some recommendations as to which restaurants or cafes are the best or what you could do to explore while you are in YIJ. Instagram: @dasfada13

At the beginning of the application process, I admit I wasn't so sure if I was ready enough to go on a study abroad trip like this. But I"m so glad that I took a chance and went, because it was the most unforgettable experience of my life. My host family

was wonderful, my friends (both Japanese students and other abroad students) were welcoming and unlike any other friendships I've had before, and the location was perfect. The classes were challenging, so I felt accomplished succeeding in them. Japan is a truly beautiful country, and the conveniences of things like their great public transportation make it really easy to explore around you, which was eye-opening to me as an American. You'll never run out of things to do and see, because there's a lot of cool towns near campus, and you have resources like friends and host family to ask for recommendations on places to go. I learned a lot about myself, too, by being in another country. I think everyone who's able to should go on a study abroad experience, and I recommended YiJ wholeheartedly. I'm glad I chose this program, and if I could go on it again, I would in a heartbeat!

Everything that you have here is more than what you could ever imagine. Academically, it is a happy experience, but never an easy one. You will be placed in one of the several levels after an exam. Do not worry about whether you did good or not because

no matter what level you were put into, you will definitely learn a lot. I was put into the highest level and one day when I talk about some grammar with my classmate at another level, I realize some of the grammar they learned is unfamiliar to me. I then realize that even though I am at the highest level, there is always more to learn. The morning class is always going to be your language course. The instructors are the teacher of Konan University. I was worried a little bit at the beginning because local teachers may not know how to teach foreigners, but soon I found out they are professionals. It's never a boring class because you will have a chance to hear more about cultures, stories, watching videos that related to the materials, and some times even going out to talk to the locals. You will have your own research topics to eventually make a presentation and talk about it to your classmates. They give you a chance to local areas to talk and learn about your topic so learning about it is not like sitting in front of the desk and searching it online. By the end of the semester, you will have a chance to take an official Japanese test which if you learned carefully in your daily classes I think you will pass it. Afternoon classes are those cultural courses such as art or history. These courses are taught in English just like the classes you have been taking in your University. I do not know about the other classes but the two that I have done were the art and the history, which during the weekend the professor will take you out to actually go to those places to learn more about the subjects. For example, for the art of Kansai, we have been to temples, shrines and traditional Japanese castles to learn about architecture, religion, painting, and sculpture. For history, we went hiking one of the local mountains and also temples and shrines. All these field trips were paid by Konan University except for the meals, so you do not need to worry about the train tickets or the tickets to the temples, the school will pay you back to you pretty much once you come back from the trip. There are a lot of things you can explore in the campus. Circles and clubs are open to foreign students. I participated in Wataiko, the traditional Japanese drum club, and was performing to the audience both in the school festival and public show. You can legally work as a tutor in the Global Zone to teach English. You will have the chance to do presentations for the Japanese students on the topic you like to introduce your culture.

I participated in the Year-in-Japan program in 2019 spring. Although the five-month period is not long, I have had a wonderful life every day. YiJ is already a well-established, mature program, so you can get a colorful experience and enough support

here. The facilities at Konan University are advanced, and the staffs are great; you can always get timely help. In addition, Konan University has a Global Zone for international students, so we have our own space to study, eat, and communicate with others. Except for your assigned language partners, many local Japanese students also go to the Global Zone every day. If you want to improve your language skills and want to meet more friends, this would be a good opportunity. The language teaching here is very good as well. Many Japanese teachers can provide you with all kinds of help, not only in class but also after class. If you have questions regarding the Japanese, they will be helpful to you. The workshops and study trips covered in Japanese classes are impressive, too. For example, during my semester, we participated in a Noh play workshop and experienced it under the guidance of professionals. As for study trips, we went to Shikoku and Hiroshima and participated in many interesting and meaningful activities. I think that I won’t have a chance to get in touch with these if I am just a tourist but not a YiJ student. What’s more, you can also choose two courses in Japanese studies, which can really help you understand more about Japan. Jumping out of the study, YiJ provides you homestay opportunity, and they are very sweet and lovely. My host parents took care of me a lot, and they made me better fit into this new environment. All in all, I am very satisfied with my exchange experience. I believe I made the correct choice to choose YiJ. So, please don't hesitate to sign up! You will never regret it.

Hi! My name is Miriam, and I attended the Year in Japan Program (YiJ) for the 2016-2017 academic year. Overall I can’t express enough how much it helped me towards my personal and academic goals. The combination of daily language classes and living

with a host family boosted my confidence in speaking Japanese and navigating daily life abroad, and the location of Kōnan University puts exchange students at a wonderful advantage to travel to many different places, exploring the culture (and the food!) as they go. I arrived in Japan very nervous about making mistakes, and worried that, only having studied Japanese for one year prior, I would miss out on many things because I didn’t know the language well enough. However, the practice YiJ provided helped me to break out of that shell and seek new experiences at school and beyond, and by the time I left Japan I felt I had truly settled into life there. I had small cafés to frequent and favorite spots that were “off the tourist trails”; I had funny language mishaps and great language achievements, and all of the classes I took supplemented my knowledge of the country as I went along. Beyond the classes, YiJ also offers a few class trips that help solidify everything you’re learning and provide fun breaks from school at the same time. On a personal level, my time in the program threw all sorts of challenges my way—from culture shock to language barriers, and everything in between—but these roadblocks helped me to become a more confident, independent person, and steered me towards new future goals and job aspirations. Now, two years later, I am once again living in Japan, but without the YiJ Program I don’t think I would have sought this path. For any student considering study abroad in Japan, I would highly recommend YiJ. There will be many challenges, but if you allow yourself to be changed by your time there you will have a wonderful opportunity to experience another country to the fullest, all while growing as a person and building your academic résumé.

My name is Monica, and I was a part of the YIJ program in the Fall semester of 2018 (September-December). There are many great things about this program, such as the Host Family option, and Intensive Japanese language courses (with great teachers!). However,

one thing that I really LOVED about this program was how organized and helpful the staff was! I 100% believe that this is one of the best programs out there! Having had friends who have studied abroad in Japan with other programs, they had all struggled with figuring bank accounts, insurance, part-time jobs, finances, and phone services. From day one this program gave us very detailed instructions on how to open our bank accounts and figure out the insurance system. The program also has the option to have a Japanese college student to help you if you need it. Another thing was the phone plans, I had thought I would have had to figure this out myself, but the school actually brought in phone companies that gave us a DISCOUNTED rate because we were staying short term! Overall the program is really looking out for your best interest and because program coordinators are easily accessible at the school, any question or concern that you have will be addressed in a timely manner! I know studying abroad can be a heavy financial decision (trust me, I too was worried about how I would pay for this/ have pocket money to be able to enjoy my time abroad). This program is amazing because it also takes this into account! The school offers a scholarship which is a monthly stipend (amount depends on the country you're coming from), and the opportunity to get part-time jobs at the school and another nearby school. Therefore, you WILL have pocket money while you are there!

Hello! My name is Zoe, and I’m a senior with a major in East Asian Languages and Cultures and a minor in Informatics. I wanted to do the study abroad in Japan for several reasons: I wanted to improve my Japanese, learn about and experience Japanese

culture firsthand, and because I had always dreamed about living in Japan someday. Through the YiJ program, I got to do a homestay and live with a Japanese family. This experience taught me so many wonderful things you can’t learn in a classroom: Japanese meal etiquette, how to sort your trash, how to eat sashimi, and of course the wonders of the kotatsu. The homestay also allowed for me to fully immerse myself in Japanese. Instead of returning to a dorm with other international students after classes, I would go home and chat with my host parents in Japanese about class or the weather or what was on TV. In this way I was constantly learning and speaking Japanese, both formally in the classroom and informally at home and out with friends. On most days I didn’t even speak English at all. Living in Japan helped me to become more self-confident and independent. At the start of the program, I was nervous to go places by myself, but received advice from a former student that it was best to go out by yourself, because if you went with another international student, you would just end up speaking English. This turned out to be great advice. I went to a bar by myself for the first time and ended up talking to so many different people and making so many new friends I was encouraged to go back and try again, and again, and again with different restaurants, bars, concerts, and cafes. Each time I tried going somewhere new bolstered my self-confidence as I realized that I was perfectly capable of doing things I never would have done back in America. I also improved my Japanese skills greatly, as I was always meeting new people and having interesting conversations. People stopped asking me “are you a tourist?” and started asking me “how long have you lived in Japan?” At some places I even became a regular and came to be good friends with the bartenders and several other regular customers. This program has helped me so much. I’ve delved deeper into my hobbies and interests and found what makes me happy. I’ve learned what it’s like to live away from home, independent of my parents and hometown. I’ve learned about Japanese language, culture, history, art, and even economics through classes at Konan University. I have visited culturally and historically significant sites, like a one-thousand year old hot spring bath or the oldest wooden structure in the world. Better yet, I’ve actually understood the significance of these sites, and been able to appreciate them fully, from learning about them in class. I had a wonderful time, academically and emotionally, and I can’t wait to return to Japan after graduation.

I was one of the 30-ish exchange students at Konan University in fall 2017. It was a very fun and unique experience overall. I believe we all have some sort of stereotype views about Japan. Most of them are pretty much accurate, but you really can't

understand the reasons behind these labels unless you actually live here. If you are like me, who wants to discover what Japan and Japanese people really are, I think you will enjoy this program as much as I did. To the program itself, it is very well organized. We were taken great care the second we landed at Kansai International Airport. We had a bus that brought us to a hotel where we spent three days getting to know more about the program and Japan. They didn't expect us to know anything about Japan or the language. They even gave us 5000 yen ($50) lunch money assuming we didn't carry any cash with us. The Japanese service is real. Everything was taken care of to make sure we had a smooth transition in every detail into our new lives in Japan. At the end of the hotel orientation, host families and dorm manager came and brought us back home. I highly recommend the host family. Most of them are old couples who live in big houses that are too big for them. They take care of you from all aspects and also make sure to give you comfortable personal space and privacies in the house. I rarely heard complaints or conflicts with the host families from my year. For the most part it's like "My host Dad is a retired cook so he makes the best food in Japan but he always make too much than I can eat so I feel bad and always eat too much" kind of complaint. Most host families are very experienced. They won't be on the list any more if they are not good. Academically, Konan University is probably not the most hard working school given the American standard. There was very little homework so you may need to ask for more or find something yourself if you really want to push yourself. But at the same time, it gives you a lot of freedom after school and during the weekends. You can find a part-time job, which basically every Japanese college student does, if you have certain level of Japanese. You can travel, buy anime stuff, go to the concert, hot spring, mountain climbing, etc.. If you are used to the workload at UIUC, I can't imagine homework will be a problem for you. Japan is fun. YIJ program in Kobe was a fun experience that definitely has huge impact in my life. I hope you find my review helpful. Finally, yes, Japanese people do cross the street when it's red light, but only when no kids are around watching.

I went on the Year in Japan (YiJ) program my senior year of college (2015-2016) and it was by far the best year of my college career. Hesitant to be away from home for a long period of time, I was actually only planning to do half of the YiJ program (i.e.

Fall semester only) and come back to Illinois, but within a matter of weeks I was enjoying myself so much that I asked to extend my stay and complete the full year long program. First, the location, Kobe, is an amazing place to live. Kobe boasts a beautiful mountain view no matter where you look, it's just a walk to the sea shore, and there are tons of shops, restaurants, and malls in the area that you can easily buy anything you need [or want]. Additionally, no matter what part of Japan you're looking to explore, the area is extremely conveniently located in between all of the major destinations within the Kansai region of Japan (e.g. Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, etc.), and even Tokyo is a very quick plane ride away. The program itself also provides you more than enough time to travel and explore. Second, the staff running the YiJ program are incredibly helpful, kind, and supportive. They will handle and work you through any concerns or difficulties you may have regarding your health, adjusting to life in a foreign country, or simply learning how to get along with the people around you. The on-site staff, the Japanese teachers, and my resident adviser were always there to listen and answer my questions. Last, the students at Konan University, particularly the ones who frequent the Global Zone [which hosts the majority of international student events], are incredibly warm and welcoming. They are all eager to both teach incoming students about Japan, as well as learn about other cultures. Interacting with the Konan University students and getting to know each of them is what truly made my trip fulfilling and worthwhile. That being said, I won't say my time in Japan was a fairytale or any kind of long vacation. Because the length of the program is a full academic year, it offers you the opportunity to genuinely experience Japanese society. My Japanese improved not only through taking classes, but also by working through conflict and exchanging ideas with my host family, my teachers, and my Japanese friends. The YiJ program showed me everything I love about Japan, just as it showed me the parts of Japan I can't always agree with. I think this was one of the most valuable parts of my study abroad. This program gave me the chance to not only explore Japan, but also become a part of society and experience everyday life. I absolutely recommend the Year in Japan program to anyone who is looking to deepen their cultural understanding of Japan.

Going abroad is usually a very rewarding experience no matter where you go, and the YIJ program is no exception. However, it is easy to have a bad experience if the program itself is not organized properly or the staff are not helpful. I was happy to

discover, from my first inquiries into YIJ to the end of the program, that YIJ does not suffer from these problems. The staff are all incredibly helpful and caring, as well as extremely organized. I had so much fun on the trip, and it was just the right balance of total freedom and guided activities. I was able to do a lot of solo travelling and playing music, and the classes at school as well as the school trips were very rewarding. Kobe is the perfect city for this type of program, a place small and quiet enough I could feel at home, while also providing many big-city accommodations. I encourage anyone looking for a study abroad experience to consider YIJ.

I’m not a huge fan of traveling, so at the outset of my college experience I hadn’t even considered studying abroad, but by chance I wound up spending a semester in the Year in Japan program, and I am so glad that I did. While in this program, you

don’t feel like you’re a tourist on vacation; you get to fully ingrain yourself and interact with the culture on a much deeper level. The location is fantastic: walking distance from the pleasant town of Okamoto (definitely try all the bakeries), a quick train ride from downtown Kobe (a perfectly sized city), and close enough to Osaka that you could make a trip on a weeknight with little issue. The language classes go at a great pace – fast enough that you’ll see your abilities make a noticeable improvement but not so fast that you’re overwhelmed and can’t enjoy life in Japan. My host family was flawless, cooking me delicious meals multiple times a day and going above and beyond with supporting me and helping me through the challenges of living in a completely different culture on the other side of the world. The staff at Konan do a great job of ensuring all of your paperwork and travel documents get properly filed, as well. One of the most unexpected highlights of my experience is the quality of friendships I made with other students from all around the world. I went into the program knowing no one and left with lasting bonds with people from Canada, Hawaii, Europe, and plenty of other places. Not only was it an incredible experience, but it was also surprisingly affordable, and, because the credits transferred back to my home university so easily, I was able to graduate in 4 years with a minor that I otherwise would never have gotten, so I can’t really think of any downsides to Year in Japan.

I can easily and confidently say that participating in the Year in Japan Program has been the greatest, bravest, and perhaps craziest decision I've ever made. Dare I risk sounding cliche and say it was life-changing? I can't imagine myself now without

this experience as a part of me, without all the memories I've made, the things I've learned, and the growth I've undergone. If learning or improving your Japanese is your goal, then I firmly believe there is no better way to accomplish that than studying abroad through the Year in Japan Program. You simply cannot recreate applying Japanese in real, everyday-life scenarios in Japan with classroom drills or textbook exercises. The Japanese classes at Konan certainly taught me many new things, but it was the practical usage of the language outside the classroom, with my host family, my Japanese friends, or even the cooks and cashiers at restaurants and stores, that I feel allowed me to improve the most, and taught me, for instance, conversational nuances to help me sound more natural. Personally, talking and doing things with my host family was the biggest help because they didn't speak English at all, so it forced me to practice all the time. If your goal is to grow as a person, studying abroad is perfect for that. Being pretty far outside your comfort zone, you quickly learn how to adapt. Before I went to Japan I was the type to be afraid of making a fool of myself with silly mistakes, but studying abroad, being in a new place where it was impossible to not make mistakes helped me develop the mindset of, “It’s an adventure!” in the face of all new experiences and jump into them without fear. This mindset is something I will carry into my future. If your goal is to have fun and see and do a myriad of awesome things that you’ll never forget or have a chance to see anywhere else, then the Year in Japan Program offers you a plethora of chances to do so. I went to so many cool and unique places, did so many fun things. I made my own Cup Noodle cup and ate customizable ramen out of it; I watched whirlpools atop the world’s longest suspension bridge; I sang so much karaoke; I went to a Disney Park for the first time; I walked the winding pathways of Himeji Castle; I drank sake at a sake brewery museum; I flew to South Korea during Golden Week; I saw temples and shrines amidst the vibrant autumn leaves and falling sakura. Just to give a taste of what you can do in Japan. The opportunities are endless. There was never, not once in the whole of nine months, a single second of regret. There were, however, several moments of retrospective dread at the thought of not choosing to study abroad and missing out on this amazing adventure of a lifetime. So if you’re considering the Year in Japan Program, I think you should just jump in and do it! I know I’m extremely glad that I did.

My time doing YiJ was arguably the most fulfilling experience I have ever had. This program definitely helped me develop a number of skills useful for navigating life in Japan and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. My host family was incredibly

understanding and supportive of my Japanese learning and constantly went out of their way to help me succeed. I made a ton of new friends, many of which I still correspond with today. You can expect a lot of freedom and free time in this program, so don’t be afraid to go out and see something new. I spent most of my free time singing karaoke and going to Hanshin Tigers’ games. I would find it hard to say I wasted any time while in Japan. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I studied abroad through the Year-in-Japan program for Fall 2018 and could not have been happier with my experience. One of the things that make the Year-in-Japan Program stand out is that it’s based in Kobe, without doubt a city brimming with charm

at every corner. Neither a staggering metropolis nor a quiet town, Kobe is just the right size to make you feel at home in its scenic nature spots and bustling downtown area that puts most others to shame. Living here with a host family is a highlight for sure. My host family immediately made me feel welcome in their home, helping me learn about Japanese culture while also giving me the freedom to explore the country on my own. And explore I did, going out constantly with other exchange students and locals, immersing myself in as many new and interesting experiences as I could. The memories I was able to make through YiJ are as good as any I’ve ever had. The program itself offers amazing support via the staff members helping you along the way. I always felt that I knew what I needed to know and was well taken care of because of the work that everyone puts in to make YiJ possible. If you are interested at all in studying in Japan, I could not make a stronger recommendation for the Year-in-Japan program.

As the title says, the year in Japan was the most fulfilling and exciting year of my life. The program provides you with plenty of freedom to do what you want outside of class, but at the same time, the faculty are very helpful and will not hesitate you

to accommodate you. Joining clubs and circles is very easy and rewarding, and there are plenty places where you can make Japanese friends, they will often even approach you. The social dynamic is really fun and unique because of the small amount of students together frequently, so it is easy to make good friends. I didn't expect much of the field trips before going, but those actually turned out to be some of the best memories I made there. Being able to live with a host family is arguably the most appealing part of this program, my host family was very nice and helped me whenever I needed and made me really good food.

My favorite part of the Year-in-Japan program is the people who make the program possible. Just to mention a few, the staff are always caring and professional. The instructors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic in teaching. Living with a Japanese host

family, you will definitely be immersed into the culture, which you can experience only in Japan! Kobe is a great place to live. It’s easily accessible to other historically and culturally significant cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima. Field trips are scheduled to visit some of these cities and there is an optional Tokyo tour as well. Don’t worry, the program schedule allows you to freely explore other places on your own! No wonder Year-in-Japan has been a successful program for over 40 years. I strongly recommend this program!

I was on the Year-in-Japan program in the Spring of 2017 and it was a huge part of my college experience as well as why I came to Japan after college on the JET Program. The program is a great way to experience Japan, make Japanese friends, and learn

Japanese while also connecting with many other students from all over the world. For me, the homestay was my favorite part of the program. Living with a Japanese family was one of the most beneficial parts of the program. I was able to experience being part of a Japanese family firsthand and also was able to practice my Japanese 24/7. Furthermore, the program's location is great. Being in Kobe, one can access all of Kansai easily and can also head to Tokyo or Hiroshima easily. The program itself plans several field trips which take people to some of these places such as Mount Koya and Hiroshima, but there is also plenty fo free time to explore the rest of Japan! I strongly recommend that you check out this program.