UWC ISAK Japan Summer School

A Life-Changing Opportunity for Middle School Students

UWC ISAK Japan’s Summer School offers an exciting opportunity for bright, curious, and motivated young people (ages 13-14) to experience life on our beautiful campus in Karuizawa, Japan. Our 13-day program is designed to bring together students from diverse countries, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds to foster growth, creativity, and leadership in an international community.

Many students say this experience is truly “life-changing”—a chance to challenge themselves, discover new passions, and build lifelong connections.

What You Will Learn

At Summer School, we focus on cultivating leadership, mindfulness, and design thinking skills. Students will:

• Learn to Lead: Develop self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to work with others to tackle real-world challenges.
• Become Global Change-makers: Gain the confidence and skills to positively impact the world, creating change in their communities.
• Discover Passions: Engage in various activities and workshops, helping students uncover and nurture their unique interests and talents.

Our goal is to create an environment where students can develop their inner strength, explore new perspectives, and unlock their full potential as future leaders.

Program Highlights

• Leadership: Focus on the development of transformational leadership, with opportunities to practice and apply these skills both independently and collaboratively.
• Mindfulness: Learn the importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership and teamwork.
• Design Thinking: Tackle real-world challenges using creativity and innovation, with a focus on solving problems for the greater good.

Residential Experience

Students will stay in our comfortable dormitories, engaging in residential life that supports personal growth and teamwork. Our caring staff, including a full-time nurse, will ensure students feel safe and supported as they live and learn together. From casual board games to nature hikes, there will be plenty of opportunities for students to bond and have fun outside of class.

DETAILS:

Dates: 20 July - 1 August 2025  (13 days)

Location: UWC ISAK Japan Campus in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan  

Participants: students must meet the following criteria as of July 19, 2025:

• Be aged 13 or 14 years old (born between July 19, 2010 and July 18, 2012)
• Summer School will be held in English so language ability will be considered, but even more importantly, Summer School students should be passionate, curious, creative, and willing to engage.
•  If you would like to keep up-to-date on all opportunities, please sign up to our mailing list.

Participant age requirement:  13 - 14-year-olds 

Language of course facilitation:  English

Application information: Complete the application form and submit short essay responses and a 2-minute video assignment. Find the application instructions on the website here.

Application deadline: March 3rd, 2025.

Course fee: ¥550,000 (Need-based scholarships available. Forms including income statements are required).

Fundraising Page: here.

Application for Summer School Staff: here (application deadline January 13th).

For more details: visit our website, Instagram, Facebook or email us.