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Unlock Your Global Potential

while building confidence in students across Japan

Application opens October 30, 2026

Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2026, 11:59PM PST

General Application Deadline: February 7, 2027, 11:59PM PST

Program overview

Embark on a journey of self-discovery through the Global Studies Program, an opportunity to volunteer at several educational institutions across Japan. Through encouraging English discussion with your students at school and immersing yourself in Japanese culture in the home of your host family, the Global Studies Program offers a unique experience of Japan.

Your role as a Group Leader

  • Lead your students through group discussions

  • Draw from your own life experiences to motivate and inspire your students

  • Encourage students to collaborate and share ideas and opinions in English

  • Guide students through small-group projects and presentations

  • Be an active member of your education team, consisting of yourself, fellow Group Leaders, and your Facilitator

  • Represent your community, college, and culture in a global environment

  • Comply with all rules and regulations established by GPI US and ISA, our parent company based in Japan

Seize your opportunities to grow

  • A Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure
    Combine meaningful work with unforgettable adventure. Explore new horizons, face exciting challenges, and create memories that will shape your personal and professional future.

  • Build Lifelong Connections
    Experience Japan like never before—by living with host families and immersing yourself in authentic Japanese culture. These meaningful relationships will stay with you forever.

  • Collaborate with Leaders from Around the World
    Work alongside group leaders from different states and countries, gaining diverse perspectives and building global networks that will benefit you long after the program ends.

  • Develop Essential Skills for a Global Career
    Equip yourself with invaluable skills that will set you apart in today’s interconnected world—skills that translate directly into success in any international profession.

  • Inspire the Next Generation
    Become a role model for your students, sparking their curiosity and passion for learning. Your leadership can make a lasting impact on their educational journey.

What to expect

Spend 3 weeks at different educational institutions

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Become a mentor to 90+ Japanese students

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Collaborate with students from 20+ other countries

Schedule

  • Participate in 3 programs at 3 different educational institutions across Japan

    • Each program is approximately 1 week long

  • A typical week is spent:

    • Full-time at school (Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm)

    • 1 free day (Saturday, to be spent with your host family if applicable)

    • 1 travel day (Sunday, to arrive at your next program placement)

Sample Daily Timetable
06:00 Wake up
06:30 Breakfast
07:00~08:00 Commute to school
08:30 Meet with Facilitator
09:00 Morning class
12:00 Lunch
13:00~15:30 Afternoon class
~18:00 Dinner

* Group Leaders are free to spend their evenings however they like. If you are placed with a host family, you must spend time with them at dinner unless communicated otherwise.​

Accommodations

  • Homestay-based program

    • Host families are affiliated with the schools you attend throughout the program

    • Host families are volunteers - they are excited to meet and spend time with you!

    • Homestays are often the highlight of Group Leaders’ experience

    • Typically single placement (may share a room with a same-gender host sibling)

* Dietary needs are not guaranteed to be accommodated depending on host family availability and situations. Group Leaders with dietary restrictions should be aware of the cultural differences regarding access to and preparation of different types of food in Japan.

  • Hotel stays

    • Provided upon arrival in Japan and departure from Japan

    • Provided when not enough families volunteer to host (hotels will be located near the school or easily accessible from public transportation)

  • Facility (dorm) stays

    • Facilities are a rare accommodation placement possibility​

    • Most programs take place at the school, but some schools may choose to host their program at an off-campus facility

    • The off-campus environment gives the program a "summer camp" ambiance. Daily schedules may include evening sessions.

Travel in Japan

  • Summertime in Japan

    • Hottest time of the year: average temperatures in Tokyo from July to August range between 75-85°F

    • Humidity can make real-feel temperatures as high as 100-110°F

  • Main mode of transportation: train

    • Stations can be crowded during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm on weekdays)

    • Expect to stand at stations and during travel on trains

    • May need to make quick transfers between trains and/or platforms

  • Travel with luggage (pack light!)

    • Group Leaders are asked to limit baggage to 1 check-in bag and 1 daily-use backpack

    • Be able to walk long distances with your luggage

    • Be prepared to use many escalators and/or carry your belongings up multiple flights of stairs (especially in train stations)

      • Elevators are available but can be time consuming to use with a large group of individuals

Expenses

Covered

  • Airfare

    • Roundtrip ticket between Japan and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

    • Due to the nature of group flights, flight details cannot be changed in any way (no exceptions)

  • Domestic travel stipend

    • Provided upon completion of the program with proof of receipt

    • Eligible expenses: pre- and post-program travel to/from the designated departure airport (LAX) and any additional travel accommodations

    • Amount varies based on distance traveled to LAX:

      • If traveling between 250 - 499 miles to LAX: up to $200 reimbursed

      • If traveling 500+ miles to LAX: up to $400 reimbursed

    • Note: domestic travel stipends can only be provided to GLs with US addresses and/or US bank accounts. If this presents any challenges, please inform GPI US staff prior to program departure to discuss possible solutions.

  • Accommodations: homestays, hotels, dorms

    • Group Leaders will be placed into accommodations; requests cannot be made

  • Meals: most meals throughout the program (excluding free time)

  • Transportation in Japan: daily school commute and weekly travel between program placements

At your expense

  • USD$25 nonrefundable application fee

    • Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, this USD$25 non-refundable application fee is being put in place to help cover operating costs for this volunteer program.

  • Travel medical insurance

    • All Group Leaders are required to purchase travel insurance on their own

    • Please ensure your travel insurance plan includes medical coverage

  • Unexcused Absence Staffing Charges

    • ​Attendance and punctuality are a significant part of the program. Absence during the program requires a medical note confirming that the student cannot be at school, submitted within 24 hours via email to ISA.

    • All other absences are considered unexcused absences. Any unexcused absence may incur a $250 staffing charge for day of absence.

  • Additional baggage fees

    • The provided domestic travel stipend does not cover additional baggage fees

  • Personal travel within Japan

    • Includes expenses related to activities with host families (ie. stopping by a café after school)​

  • Any expenses associated with canceled, delayed, or missed flights

2027 Timeline

Please note that all dates are tentative and are only meant to provide an outline of the program timeline. All travel plans are dependent on global health conditions.​

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Note: Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis. Early applicants may receive application results sooner than general applicants.

Pre-departure timeline

Dec. 30, 2026

Early application deadline

Spring 2027

Mandatory online orientation

Fall 2026 – Spring 2027

Interviews

Winter - Spring 2027

Acceptances

Jan. 31, 2027

General application deadline

May 2027

Withdrawal deadline

Program outline

In 2027, we plan to offer multiple terms to allow for flexibility with Group Leaders’ summer schedules. All terms follow the same program schedule. Please note that all dates are tentative. Group Leaders will only participate in one term.

Event
Term 1: July 7 - August 3, 2027
Term 2: July 14 - August 10, 2027
Term 3: July 28 - August 24, 2027
Departure from US
July 7, 2027
July 14, 2027
July 28, 2027
Arrival in Japan
July 8, 2027
July 15, 2027
July 29, 2027
Arrival orientation
July 9, 2027
July 16, 2027
July 30, 2027
Free time (post-arrival)
July 10, 2027
July 17, 2027
July 31, 2027
Transfer to new location
July 10, 2027
July 18, 2027
July 31, 2027
Global Studies Program
July 11 – August 1, 2027
July 18 – August 8, 2027
August 1 – 22, 2027
Free time (pre-departure)
August 2 – 3, 2027
August 9 – 10, 2027
August 22 – 24, 2027
Departure from Japan / Arrival in US
August 3, 2027
August 10, 2027
August 24, 2027

Application Eligibility

Requirements for all Group Leaders:

  • Hold a passport that is exempt for visits to Japan 45 days (or longer)

    • If your passport is issued by a country listed on Japan’s Exemption of Visa webpage, you are visa-exempt. However, you must be visa-exempt for trips at least 45 days in length.

  • Be currently enrolled in a US 4-year college/university or graduate program (must be able to show a valid US college/university ID)
    OR
    Be a recent graduate of a US 4-year college/university or graduate program (see below for additional requirements)

Requirements for recent graduates:

  • Graduated in Spring 2026 or later: no additional requirements

  • Graduated before Spring 2026: must be accepted to a graduate program for Fall 2027 enrollment (must show proof in the form of an admission letter)
    * Without proof of acceptance, applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis​

Application Materials

We require the following materials to be submitted with your application to participate in the Global Studies Program:

  • Resume *PDF file preferred.

  • Letter of Interest​​ *PDF file preferred. ~1 page / 500 words.

    • Why are you interested in this program? What does being a global citizen mean to you? What makes you a good candidate for this opportunity?

  • References​ *PDF file preferred.

    • Please submit a document listing a minimum of two references we may contact. Include the following information: Name, Title, Relationship to applicant, Email address, and Phone number.

  • Short-answer prompts *Please provide a response for both prompts. Max. 250 words each.

    • Each school’s program lasts only a week, and many of the students participating in the programs will have low-level English ability, making discussions difficult. With these limitations in mind, what would success in the program look like to you?

    • Participating in a cross-cultural program overseas can be challenging – living with a host family; dealing with misguided expectations, miscommunication with other participants, teachers, staff; adjusting to a new country and environment, etc. Share a specific example of a time when you navigated such a challenge and explain what mindset you need to work through it.

  • USD$25 non-refundable application fee *completed online via credit card.

    • Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, this USD$25 non-refundable application fee is being put in place to help cover operating costs for this volunteer program.​

How to Apply

  1. Click "Apply Now" on this page to complete the $25 non-refundable application fee online.

  2. Enter your payment details.

    • Note: your contact name (first and last) must match your application.

  3. Upon completing the application fee, you will be redirected to the 2027 Global Studies Program Application.

  4. Fill out your application with the above materials and submit!

    • Note: Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis. Submitting your application earlier can improve your chances of hearing from our team sooner!

2027 application cycle opens on October 30, 2026.

​Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2026, 11:59PM PST

General Application Deadline: February 7, 2027, 11:59PM PST

Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.

Contact us

Please send any and all inquiries to globalstudies@gpius.net

Hear from our Participants

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I would definitely recommend the GSP Program! I personally learned so much and was so happy I was able to teach with ISA in Japan after working with GPI US [as a College Campus Fellow and Activity Group Leader]. I think that even though it is an intense schedule, you will gain a lot of great experience in teaching and as a person and learn a lot from meeting so many different people. I feel like being a part of the GSP also made me a more global citizen as well!

Chloe Nelson, 2025 Group Leader

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