Unlock Your Global Potential
while building confidence in students across Japan
Clicking the above button will take you to complete the application fee. After completing the payment, you will be redirected to our application. The application fee is non-refundable. If you have questions about eligibility, please email us first.
We recommend applicants refer to the Application Materials list and prepare your application materials before applying to avoid losing your progress after submitting the application fee.
Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2025, 11:59PM PST
General Application Deadline: January 31, 2026, 11:59PM PST
Upcoming Info Session
Join us at our online information session to learn more about the 2026 Global Studies Program!
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86572286111
Meeting ID: 865 7228 6111
Passcode: 180538
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
Become a mentor to 90+ Japanese students
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)
-
-
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 strongly recommended 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$10 nonrefundable application fee
-
Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, this USD$10 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
-
-
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
2026 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.
Note: Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis. Early applicants may receive application results sooner than general applicants.
Pre-departure timeline
Dec. 30, 2025
Early application deadline
Spring 2026
Mandatory online orientation
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
Interviews
May 2026
Withdrawal deadline
Winter - Spring 2026
Acceptances
Jan. 31, 2026
General application deadline
Program outline
In 2026, 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 8 - August 4, 2026 | Term 2: July 15 - August 11, 2026 | Term 3: July 22 - August 18, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
Departure from US | July 8, 2026 | July 15, 2026 | July 22, 2026 |
Arrival in Japan | July 9, 2026 | July 16, 2026 | July 23, 2026 |
Arrival orientation | July 10, 2026 | July 17, 2026 | July 24, 2026 |
Free time (post-arrival) | July 11, 2026 | July 18, 2026 | July 25, 2026 |
Transfer to new location | July 12, 2026 | July 19, 2026 | July 26, 2026 |
Global Studies Program | July 13 – August 1, 2026 | July 20 – August 8, 2026 | July 27 – August 15, 2026 |
Free time (pre-departure) | August 2 – 4, 2026 | August 9 – 11, 2026 | August 16 – 18, 2026 |
Departure from Japan / Arrival in US | August 4, 2026 | August 11, 2026 | August 18, 2026 |
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 2025 or later: no additional requirements
-
Graduated before Spring 2025: must be accepted to a graduate program for Fall 2026 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$10 non-refundable application fee *completed online via credit card.
-
Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, this USD$10 non-refundable application fee is being put in place to help cover operating costs for this volunteer program.
-
How to Apply
-
Click "Apply Now" on this page to complete the $10 non-refundable application fee online.
-
Enter your payment details.
-
Note: your contact name (first and last) must match your application.
-
-
Upon completing the application fee, you will be redirected to the 2026 Global Studies Program Application.
-
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!
-
Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2025, 11:59PM PST
General Application Deadline: January 31, 2026, 11:59PM PST
Clicking the above button will take you to complete the application fee. After completing the payment, you will be redirected to our application. Note that the application fee is non-refundable. Please email us if you have questions about eligibility.
We recommend applicants refer to the Application Materials list and prepare your application materials before applying to avoid losing your progress after submitting the application fee.
Contact us
Please send any and all inquiries to globalstudies@gpius.net
Hear from our Participants
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