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Finding community and making friends on a Study Trip in Japan
Worried about traveling to Japan alone? You’re not the only one. Many students feel nervous about making friends while studying abroad in Japan, but our Go! Go! Nihon Study Trips are designed to connect you with a welcoming community from the moment you book. We know from experience that the number one question Study Trippers have is, “Will I make friends?” and this page is here to show you that the answer is a definite “Yes.”
Main key takeaways
- It is normal to be nervous about traveling to Japan alone, and many of our past Study Trippers felt the same way.
- The Go! Go! Nihon Study Trip Team acts as your first friends and support system in Japan.
- Language classes and cultural activities are designed to help you bond with your fellow Study Trippers.
- Our pre-trip Discord channel allows you to connect with your travel buddies before you even leave home.
- Many participants leave our Study Trips with a global network of lifelong friends.
Can Go! Go! Nihon’s Study Trip really help me build confidence?
The journey from feeling nervous about a solo trip to having the time of your life is a story we see happen again and again. Many of our Study Trippers feel a mix of excitement and anxiety before they arrive, and that is a completely normal part of the adventure. One of our past Study Trippers shared an experience that perfectly captures this transformation:
“It was a life changing experience for me and I can’t think of anything that could have made it better, it was just perfect! It was my first time flying alone, first time in Japan and first time having proper Japanese lessons so it was a scary thing for me initially. But the teachers, the staff (Jose, Crystal, Federica & John) and all of the other people on the trip that I became friends with were all amazing! Everyone was so open, friendly and inclusive so any anxiety disappeared quickly and I had the time of my life.”
Who will be my first friends in Japan?
From your first day, the Go! Go! Nihon Study Trip Team is there to make you feel welcome, supported, and included. Our staff and Tour Leaders are not just guides; they are your first friends in Japan. They are there to greet you, answer your questions, and make sure you feel comfortable and part of the group from the very beginning.
The feedback we receive consistently highlights how the warmth and professionalism of our team make Study Trippers feel at ease:
“All the staff that I dealt with were lovely, John was super helpful in translations and telling us a bit of history behind places, he even helped me with my Japanese learning. Federica was a really good guide and made sure we all got to where we needed to be and had the most fun as possible… Jose was an awesome, super fun guy, made sure everyone was happy, knew what we were doing and having fun, even off the clock he was still worried and making sure everyone knew which train to go.”
One of our past Study Trippers perfectly described this feeling:
“I was a little scared, since I was traveling to another country alone for the first time, but as soon as I met the amazing staff… I was totally at ease.”
Another Study Tripper shared a similar experience:
“With the staff, I feel like we can all agree that we felt at home. I loved the bonds we created with the staff, everyone was warm and friendly, which made the whole experience 10 times better.”
How do friendships form on a Study Trip?
Friendships on our Study Trips often form quickly and naturally, starting from the very first day. It is common for Study Trippers to connect with others who speak the same language at first, but as our Tour Leader, Jose, notes, “from the first night, they tend to talk to others and bond over shared interests.”
Our Student Advisor, Crystal, has seen this happen time and time again:
“Lots of Study Trippers bond at the first group dinner, or even after the first day of class they have already made connections with friends. Some groups break into smaller groups of participants with similar ages or nationalities, but some groups (usually the summer course) are like one big family with everyone getting along.”
How will I meet people in class?
Your daily language classes are a natural and easy place to start making friends with other international students who share your passion for learning.
The classroom is more than just a place to study; it is a social hub. You will be learning and practicing together every morning, which is a fantastic way to break the ice and build connections with your classmates.
As one Study Tripper noted in their feedback,
“The classes are really nice, it gives you chances to meet new people from different places.”
How do group activities help me make friends?
Our curated group activities, from shared dinners to cultural workshops, are designed to create fun, shared memories that naturally lead to strong friendships.
While the classes help you meet people, the activities are where the lifelong friendships are often made. As Go! Go! Nihon’s Tour Leader, Jose, points out, “Karaoke also tends to be one where people bond a lot too.” These shared adventures are the heart of the social experience on our Study Trips.
Many Study Trippers have told us that these experiences were key to their journey:
“The activities allow a chance to bond with the GOGO team members and your fellow summer group peers.”
“I personally think trips are enjoyed in the company of other people, and thanks to Go! Go! Nihon’s Study Trip Team I managed to get my dream trip. On this course I managed to meet wonderful people.”
The connections made during the Study Trip often go far beyond the scheduled events. As Crystal mentions,
“Many Study Trippers hangout outside of the course activities on the weekends — celebrating each other’s birthdays, going to other cities in Japan or even traveling together after the course.”
Can I meet people before my Study Trip starts?
Yes, you can start making friends before you even pack by joining our pre-trip Discord channel. We know that the nerves can start long before you get on the plane, which is why we invite all our Study Trippers to a private Discord channel. As one noted, this is a great way to get support from both the team and your fellow Study Trippers:
“Even though I never met Crystal in person, she was a great help with answering questions on the discord and making sure we all knew what we had booked in.”
Frequently asked questions
- What if I am shy?
Many of our Study Trippers are, and our trips are designed to help. The structured activities and friendly Tour Leaders create a low-pressure environment where it is easy to start conversations and get to know people naturally. - Are the other participants my age?
Our Study Trips attract people from all over the world, typically between the ages of 18 and 30, so you will be in a group of like-minded peers who are at a similar stage of life. - Will I have time to hang out with friends outside of the scheduled activities?
Yes. Our Study Trips are a great balance of planned activities and free time, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore with the new friends you have made. - What if I am shy or worried about being “forced” to socialize?
That is a very common feeling, and you are not alone. Our Study Trips are designed to be a low-pressure environment. While there are many opportunities to make friends, there is absolutely no pressure to be social all the time. Our activities are for you to enjoy at your own comfort level, and there is also plenty of free time built into the schedule for you to relax, recharge, and explore on your own.
Conclusion: your adventure awaits
Every year, Study Trippers from all over the world arrive in Japan feeling a little nervous, and they leave with a global family of friends. Making friends while studying abroad in Japan is not just possible; it is a core part of the experience. Ready to start your adventure and meet your new travel family? Explore our Study Trips today!
