About EIL Japan

The Experiment in International Living (EIL), founded in the U.S. in 1932 by Donald B. Watt, was one of the first programs of its kind to promote experiential education and international learning. The Experiment has been a pioneer in the implementation of the “homestay,” giving “Experimenters” the opportunity to live with host families for first- hand exposure to the culture and language of the host country. Out of this original program, multiple Experiment in International Living office have spawned around the world, and in the 1950, they joined into a worldwide network.

This network became the Federation for the Experiment in International Living, and its member organizations send and receive students around the world, partnering often with each other, as well as with other organizations. For more than 8 decades, Federation EIL has pursued its mission to facilitate the lifelong involvement of individuals in intercultural learning experiences with its member organizations.

EIL Japan was founded in 1956 as an independent non-profit organization, and had been supported by the Ministry of Education since 1969.　In 2013 EIL was approved by the Cabinet Office as a public interest incorporated association.

Programs in Japan

Student Exchange Program(SEP)

EIL Japan provide an opportunity to experience “a high school life” in Japan. The exchange students would stay with a volunteer host family and attend the local high school.

Outline of the program

Duration: 3 months, 5 months or 10 months
Program starts from: April, September and November (3 months program only)
Conditions of participation:
-must have become the ages of 15 by the end of March in the program year.
-must NOT have become the age of 18 by the end of March in the program year.
-Willing to accept a placement anywhere in Japan
-Healthy and above average maturity to be able to succeed on an intellectually and emotionally rigorous program
-Having at least 1 year study of Japanese.

How to apply

You need to contact our partner organization in your country: the contact information is below.

Student Exchange Dormitory Stay Program (SEDP）

EIL Japan provide dormitory programs for high school aged students. Students can choose a school at the time of applying for the program. Knowing where they are going in advance, students can better prepare for the program.
With this program, we can accept students with allergy to animals.

Conditions of participation: same as Student Exchange Program.

How to apply
You need to contact our partner organization in your country: the contact information is below.

Individual Homestay Placement（IHP）

EIL Japan invites you to apply for a homestay with a Japanese family for a period of 1 to 4 weeks.

Outline of the program

This program is designed for an intensive cross-cultural experience and is not a tour or travel program. You will be welcomed as a member of the family, not as a guest, and will be involved in the daily activities of the family, assuming all responsibilities and privileges. All travel costs are the responsibility of the participant.

Duration: 1 to 4 weeks
Deadline of the application: 8 weeks before the program starts

Conditions of participation:
- be over 18 years old.
- May not work or attend a school during the homestay
- be in good health both physically and mentally

How to apply

You need to apply through our partner organization in the country where you live.
the contact information is below.

In case you live in Japan, please ask for an application form to the EIL office in Tokyo.
EIL-JAPAN
2-5-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0002 Japan
ihp@eiljapan.org

- A guarantee letter from a person living in Japan is required

Japanese language program in Tokyo (IHP Language)

This is a program of 4 week homestay with Japanese language lessons in Tokyo.

Outline of the program

This is an immersion program for homestay and Japanese language training. The participants live with Japanese host family and take lessons at “Tokyo Japanese Language Center” located in center of Tokyo on weekdays.
TJLC established in 1962 and is located under the Tokyo Tower. This school is known as a Japanese language education institution with a long history and tradition.

Duration: 4 weeks
Deadline of the application: 8 weeks before the program starts
Conditions of participation:
- be over 18 years old
- be in good health both physically and mentally

How to apply

You need to apply through our partner organization in the country where you live.
the contact information is below.

In case you live in Japan, please ask for an application form to the EIL office in Tokyo.
EIL-JAPAN
2-5-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0002 Japan
ihp@eiljapan.org

- A guarantee letter from a person living in Japan is required

Contacts of our partner organization

Please make sure if the organization provide the program you are interested in before contacting them.

— Asia —	IHP	IHP（language）	SEP	SEDP
Taiwan			〇	〇
Thailand			〇	〇
— Oceania —	IHP	IHP（language）	SEP	SEDP
Australia			〇	〇
New Zealand			〇	〇
— Europe —	IHP	IHP（language）	SEP	SEDP
Italy( EIL)	〇	〇
Italy(BEC）			〇	〇
Denmark			〇	〇
UK（EIL）	〇	〇
UK(MyEducation)			〇	〇
France	〇	〇	〇	〇
Germany	〇	〇	〇	〇
Spain	〇	〇	〇	〇
Estonia			〇	〇
— America —	IHP	IHP（language）	SEP	SEDP
USA	〇	〇	〇	〇
Canada			〇	〇
Mexico	〇	〇	〇	〇
Ecuador	〇	〇	〇	〇

Group programs

EIL Japan can arrange a group program in Japan. If you are interested in sending a group to Japan, please contact us.
In the past we have arranged:
- 5 nights homestay with cultural activities and a school visit for high school students from Australia
- 2 nights homestay with cultural activity for seniors from Europe