Unlock Your Global Potential

while building confidence in students across Japan

Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2024, 11:59PM PST

General Application Deadline: January 31, 2025, 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

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

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

2025 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, 2024

Early application deadline

Spring 2025

Mandatory online orientation

Fall 2024 – Spring 2025

Interviews

May 2025

Withdrawal deadline

Winter - Spring 2025

Acceptances

Jan. 31, 2025

General application deadline

Program outline

In 2025, we are offering four 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 9 - August 5, 2025	Term 2: July 16 - August 12, 2025	Term 3: July 23 - August 19, 2025	Term 4: July 30 - August 26, 2025
Departure from US	July 9, 2025	July 16, 2025	July 23, 2025	July 30, 2025
Arrival in Japan	July 10, 2025	July 17, 2025	July 24, 2025	July 31, 2025
Free time (post-arrival)	July 12, 2025	July 18, 2025	July 25, 2025	August 1, 2025
Arrival orientation	July 11, 2025	July 19, 2025	July 26, 2025	August 2, 2025
Transfer to new location	July 13, 2025	July 20, 2025	July 27, 2025	August 3, 2025
Global Studies Program	July 14 – August 2, 2025	July 21 – August 9, 2025	July 28 – August 16, 2025	August 4 – August 23, 2025
Free time (pre-departure)	August 3 – 5, 2025	August 10 – 12, 2025	August 17 – 19, 2025	August 24 – 26, 2025
Departure from Japan / Arrival in US	August 5, 2025	August 12, 2025	August 19, 2025	August 26, 2025

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 2024 or later: no additional requirements
Graduated before Spring 2024: must be accepted to a graduate program for Fall 2025 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

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

The 2025 application cycle has closed.

Early Application Deadline: December 30, 2024, 11:59PM PST

General Application Deadline: January 31, 2025, 11:59PM PST

Contact us

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

Hear from our Participants

“I had truly the most wonderful and transformative experience participating in GPI this year. I found a real feeling of home with my host families, relished the challenge of teaching the students and representing my school and home country's culture, and learned an enormous deal from the other GLs with me. I have such special memories from each of my three schools, and I have discovered through this program that I would like to pursue a career in education and give back by passing on my experiences and skills to the next generations.”

Joseph Beadle, 2024 Group Leader