International Academic Student Program - Study abroad, live with a Japanese family in Osaka, Japan

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, just begin it. Boldness has genius, power and--if you are lucky--magic in it" (W.H. Murray)

Come be an International Student at the Osaka Girls' Senior High School!
396,000 Japanese yen---for four months

979,000 Japanese yen--- for 1 year

www.xe.com

The Osaka Girls’ Senior High School (www.osakagirls-shs.ed.jp) is a small, private, secondary school founded in 1929 in Osaka, one of Japan’s most dynamic cities and the largest city in the Kansai region. We’re only 80 minutes from Kyoto, a city with 17 World Heritage sites, and minutes from the multitude of other cities in Kansai. The close by wilderness in Yoshino Nature Center provides a beautiful connection to nature.

International high school students can come for a semester or a school year. You can enroll with a minimum of six months study of the Japanese language. A wide range of challenging subjects is taught. Cultural and sports clubs, as well as the option to do volunteer work in Osaka and internationally, increase cultural experiences and promote personal growth.

Contact us directly with any questions. We will happily support you -- step-by-step-- through the process to get your required "student visa" from Osaka Immigration. Once at the school, teacher mentors will guide your program so that it is a life-changing experience for you.

Jump-start an international career.

Live in and enjoy Japan's relative safety.

Be immersed in the Japanese culture.

Develop independence, self-reliance, and tolerance.

Experience a rewarding gap year in Osaka --(some Immigration restrictions may apply).

Bettina, 2006, Switzerland

Learn Japanese, Chinese and intensive English.

Pay reasonable fees with no hidden costs.

After OGSHS, Amy, (New Zealand) attended Tokyo University and then on to Harvard University (Asian Studies).

" The time I spent at Osaka Girls' Senior High School had a more profound affect on my life than I could have ever imagined. I have been interested in Japan and Japanese culture since before I can remember. I spent most of my young life dreaming of the moment I would step into this country. And at age 17, OGSHS allowed me the opportunity to finally realize that dream. I went to Japan with the expectation of having fun...and maybe learning something. At the time, however, I didn't know what that was. I didn't realize how much my journey had changed me, how much I had learned and grown, until I was back in America. I noticed the difference as soon as I was off the airplane. As I re-inserted myself back into my city, my house, my family, the difference became more and more pronounced. My time in Japan clarified my goals for the future, taught me how to take care of myself, and prepared me for the next phase of my life. Living in a foreign country is not always easy. I had to learn to adapt to unfamiliar situations and to cope with the inevitable misunderstandings. I learned to connect with people who thought and lived differently than me. I became a part of a Japanese family, who I keep in contact with to this day and who have graciously offered me a home whenever I need it. I received so much kindness and support from the staff at OGSHS and from my wonderful host family. Most of all, what I learned in Japan is who I am. The next time I go to Japan, I will be going home. (Steph. USA, 2007 is heading back "home" for May and June of 2008)

" We had no idea that our daughter Kel's dream of living in Japan would come true when she was just 16. Any hesitation we may have had about sending her to a foreign country to live with strangers was quickly alleviated by the wonderful staff at OGSHS. Initially they helped us with the (somewhat tedious) application process via emails and phone calls to our home. Once our daughter arrived in Japan, students, her host family and the staff at OGSHS warmly welcomed her.A class schedule was tailor - made to fit her needs, and her Japanese skills started improving immediately! The cost of attending OGSHS was much less than our daughter's private school, and items such as uniforms and field trips were included in the fee...but not airfare. We are forever grateful to the staff at OGSHS for providing our daughter with this golden opportunity! She has toured a castle, ceramics factory, parks, Japanese gardens, and has hung-out at malls and an amusement park with girls from school. A day trip to Hiroshima and climbing Mt. Fuji in July are planned. A self-proclaimed "picky eater", Kel enjoyed a scrumptious barbacue over Golden Week hosted by her family and the variety of uniquely Japanese food as well as familiar old favorites. Her letters and calls home repeatedly tell of wonderful experiences and the desire to return to Japan in the future. We would recommend that any student who has a serious interest in Japan take time to contact one of their staff to find out more information and get started on the application process. This semester at OGSHS is helping our daughter grow more than we could ever imagine. (2007--Mrs. Card, Colorado, USA)

" The only thing that made my daughter sad about OGSHS was that she couldn`t stay. You have a wonderful program there, but more importantly, you are kind and caring people. I could never find words enough to express my gratitude for the energy you put into being a partner with me." Mrs. Feyen, Wisconsin, USA--2007

" From the time that Khali was in the first grade in the Japanese curriculum at The International School (Portland, OR), we expected her to spend one of her highschool years studying in Japan. We were so delighted when we found OGSHS in Osaka, a city I knew well from living there myself. For a year prior to Khali's enrollment, the school answered every question we had and really welcomed her application. Khali came to the school with strong Japanese studying in immersion and partial immersion programs for over 8 years. The OGSHS teachers went above and beyond to challenge Khali in her language acquisition and when she took the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), she passed Level 3 with flying colors! Thanks so much, OGSHS! --(Tami, 2007, Portland, Oregon, USA)

" For over 18 months, "Two Worlds United" (TWU) had my application and money "on hold"--finally even advising me to forget about Japan and go to China! It was a heartbreaking time for me and my family. OGSHS waded thru this nightmare of indifference and now--after four months in Osaka with eight to go-- my life in Japan, Japanese language ability and spirit are soaring. OGSHS..Thanks for the rescue! (Ellen, 2005-06, USA)

" The thing I value most about my semester at OGSHS is the many friendships I made with Japanese students...And living with a host family, I was able to truely experience Japanese culture--firsthand. When the semester ended, it was hard to say 'good-bye' to my many new friends. My high school graduation present? Tickets back to Osaka to stay with OGSHS classmates before university."
(Alexa, USA, 2006-- National Merit Finalist, attended University of Michigan (honors program), a scholarship student at Tokyo University, 2007-2008)

"Osaka is a remarkable mix of the familiar and the exotically intriguing. Turn a corner and...well, you just never know! My dream of becoming a translator is solidly 'on-track' here at OGSHS."
(Cassi, United States, 2005-2006)

" I'm getting readjusted to life in the USA, but I already miss Japan greatly. My eight months in Osaka were extraordinary--language fluency and a deep understanding of its cultiure have fueled my excitement about pursuing Japanese Studies at Cornell University this Fall and returning to Japan as soon as I can. THANK YOU, OGSHS!! "
(Sarah, Ohio, USA, 2006)

" The Japanese students in the USA were so quiet. Not at OGSHS! They are always laughing , sometimes loud and incredibly fun! They are always doing things--with me. My 4 months in Osaka is too short. Luckily, my fabulous host family will let me stay another month!"
(Hannah, a USA homeschooler, 2005)

" Dreams really do come true at OGSHS. Five years after leaving Osaka, I have returned from New Zealand to the same caring, supportive staff which has now unselfishly found me a place to live and work as a pre-school teacher. Contact me directly if I might help with your long-term, Japanese dreams. "
(Olivia, Christchurch, N.Z., 2001/2006)