This Program is Directed by
Ed Thanhouser
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Join us in Tokyo for an insider’s experience of the world’s largest metropolis on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons with in-depth, field-based seminars and elective workshops as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of instructors and students from around the world. Choose a seminar and dive deep into your subject matter through engaging discussions, site visits, and hands-on projects that immerse you in Japanese life.
- Highlights
• Hone your Japanese language skills in a class designed for your skill level
• Visit the Nakano Manga School and develop your illustration and design skills
• Meet with tech-savvy entrepreneurs to share and workshop your business plan
• Explore fashion, textiles, and techniques at a centuries-old kimono shop
• Visit the Nakano Manga School and develop your illustration and design skills
• Meet with tech-savvy entrepreneurs to share and workshop your business plan
• Explore fashion, textiles, and techniques at a centuries-old kimono shop
“The experience was excellent — we’re just sorry we weren’t aware of this amazing program earlier!”
—Charlene & James W., Phoenix, AZ
Seminars
Choose a seminar and explore Tokyo through the lens of your chosen subject. Putney seminars combine experiential learning and global perspective, and are intentionally designed not to be like school, where learning is classroom-centered and text heavy. Instead, Putney students learn by doing. Begin with classroom discussions that frame your seminar concepts and identify key issues. Take the learning beyond the classroom with site visits, meetings with local experts, guest lectures, and field trips. Tokyo’s rich history, cultural background, and cutting-edge reputation make it the perfect setting for our field-based seminars. Cap off your studies with a final project or installation to share your work.
What makes a business succeed in today’s market and what are the steps taken between identifying a need and opening your (real or virtual) doors? What are the key similarities and differences when comparing business management in the West to the way it...
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tokyo redefined its presence on the fashion scene with the emergence of street fashion. In this course, explore street fashion’s historical roots, and the political, social, and cultural factors that helped it take shape....
This seminar is open to students interested in developing and expanding their Japanese studies with focused and immersive study through daily interaction with native speakers. In a variety of informal discussions, language drills, and hands-on activities,...
Designed for photographers of all skill levels, this course teaches the basics of photography and composition before diving into more advanced shooting techniques and editing instruction. Whether your passion is portrait, landscape, adventure, or abstract...
With an aging population and growing demand for automation in the workforce, robots are a major focus of tech and innovation in Japan. From staffing reception desks to vibrant 3-D displays, robots and various innovative approaches to automation are on...
With an aging population and growing demand for automation in the workforce, robots are a major focus of tech and innovation in Japan. From staffing reception desks to vibrant 3-D displays, robots and various innovative approaches to automation are on...
This seminar is open to students interested in developing and expanding their Japanese studies with focused and immersive study through daily interaction with native speakers. In a variety of informal discussions, language drills, and hands-on activities,...
What makes a business succeed in today’s market and what are the steps taken between identifying a need and opening your (real or virtual) doors? What are the key similarities and differences when comparing business management in the West to the way it...
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tokyo redefined its presence on the fashion scene with the emergence of street fashion. In this course, explore street fashion’s historical roots, and the political, social, and cultural factors that helped it take shape....
Designed for photographers of all skill levels, this course teaches the basics of photography and composition before diving into more advanced shooting techniques and editing instruction. Whether your passion is portrait, landscape, adventure, or abstract...
Featured
Instructors
Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.
Featured
Instructors
Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Our Tokyo Campus
Experience Tokyo’s neighborhoods, museums, markets, and restaurants from our centrally located residence. With a population of 37 million, the capital city of Tokyo is a fast-paced study in contrasts, where centuries-old traditions meet cutting-edge modern technology. Meet with artists, business leaders, designers, and tech innovators and learn how Tokyo’s dynamic growth defines its success.
Outcomes & Final Projects
The Pre-College Tokyo program is designed to immerse students intellectually in their chosen seminar topic as they prepare academically and socially for the college experience. Over the course of their three-week Pre-College seminar, each student develops a final project based on their particular interests, which they present to peers and instructors at the end of the program. Display your photography in a pop-up gallery, present your findings from your International Business seminar, or prepare a feast to share with your group.
Afternoons & Excursions
Take part in a traditional tea ceremony, try your hand at woodblock printing, or join locals for a run in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Sample sushi, ramen, and traditional Japanese sweets known as wagashi, and explore the tradition and ceremony of sumo wrestling while attending a match.
Workshops
In addition to your in-depth seminar, explore other interests and topics in elective workshops offered by instructors and students alike. Tap into the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of your peers and instructors to expand your Pre-College experience, learning on topics ranging from the best ramen ingredients to the art and history of the Samurai sword.
Guest Speakers
Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and professionals. Guest speakers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Whether a young entrepreneur or an expert in the traditions of sumo, each speaker structures their workshop or lecture to relate to the seminars and their area of expertise.
Community
Find a community of like-minded peers, invested in personal and intellectual growth. Like you, they are curious about the world and eager to have a positive impact on it. Everyone attends Community Meeting each evening, where the group shares ideas, successes, and goals, and sets plans for the coming day. Become part of a community that supports and nurtures your interests, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Accommodations & Meals
In Tokyo, we stay in an international student residence in dormitory-style suites with ensuite bathrooms. Students have access to common space for class, community meetings, and socializing. Leaders reside in the same residence as students throughout the program. Each day we begin with breakfast at our residence. For lunches, seminars or small groups may eat together either at restaurants or head to a local market to shop for a picnic. Dinners are taken in restaurants or at our residence. Please note that lunches are not included in the tuition.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Our Tokyo Campus
Experience Tokyo’s neighborhoods, museums, markets, and restaurants from our centrally located residence. With a population of 37 million, the capital city of Tokyo is a fast-paced study in contrasts, where centuries-old traditions meet cutting-edge modern technology. Meet with artists, business leaders, designers, and tech innovators and learn how Tokyo’s dynamic growth defines its success.
Outcomes & Final Projects
The Pre-College Tokyo program is designed to immerse students intellectually in their chosen seminar topic as they prepare academically and socially for the college experience. Over the course of their three-week Pre-College seminar, each student develops a final project based on their particular interests, which they present to peers and instructors at the end of the program. Display your photography in a pop-up gallery, present your findings from your International Business seminar, or prepare a feast to share with your group.
Afternoons & Excursions
Take part in a traditional tea ceremony, try your hand at woodblock printing, or join locals for a run in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Sample sushi, ramen, and traditional Japanese sweets known as wagashi, and explore the tradition and ceremony of sumo wrestling while attending a match.
Workshops
In addition to your in-depth seminar, explore other interests and topics in elective workshops offered by instructors and students alike. Tap into the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of your peers and instructors to expand your Pre-College experience, learning on topics ranging from the best ramen ingredients to the art and history of the Samurai sword.
Guest Speakers
Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and professionals. Guest speakers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Whether a young entrepreneur or an expert in the traditions of sumo, each speaker structures their workshop or lecture to relate to the seminars and their area of expertise.
Community
Find a community of like-minded peers, invested in personal and intellectual growth. Like you, they are curious about the world and eager to have a positive impact on it. Everyone attends Community Meeting each evening, where the group shares ideas, successes, and goals, and sets plans for the coming day. Become part of a community that supports and nurtures your interests, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Accommodations & Meals
In Tokyo, we stay in an international student residence in dormitory-style suites with ensuite bathrooms. Students have access to common space for class, community meetings, and socializing. Leaders reside in the same residence as students throughout the program. Each day we begin with breakfast at our residence. For lunches, seminars or small groups may eat together either at restaurants or head to a local market to shop for a picnic. Dinners are taken in restaurants or at our residence. Please note that lunches are not included in the tuition.
Program Structure
Seminar groups meet each morning to introduce and frame key concepts for the day, then head out into the city or surrounding areas for field-based learning, putting the day’s ideas into practice. Seminar activities are supplemented by fun excursions and immersive cultural experiences.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast with your group at the residence
10:00am
Dive into morning seminars to discuss the day’s topics
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Break for lunch out with friends and instructors
2:00pm
Navigate and explore Tokyo for an experience-based session with your seminar group
- Evening
4:00pm
Join an optional excursions or activity, or enjoy some free time at the residence
6:00pm
Eat dinner out in small groups at nearby restaurant
8:00pm
Convene for a community meeting to discuss the day and upcoming events
Program Structure
Seminar groups meet each morning to introduce and frame key concepts for the day, then head out into the city or surrounding areas for field-based learning, putting the day’s ideas into practice. Seminar activities are supplemented by fun excursions and immersive cultural experiences.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast with your group at the residence
10:00am
Dive into morning seminars to discuss the day’s topics
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Break for lunch out with friends and instructors
2:00pm
Navigate and explore Tokyo for an experience-based session with your seminar group
- Evening
4:00pm
Join an optional excursions or activity, or enjoy some free time at the residence
6:00pm
Eat dinner out in small groups at nearby restaurant
8:00pm
Convene for a community meeting to discuss the day and upcoming events
“Every day I would wake up in the morning knowing I was going to have a grand new adventure. Our leaders were fantastic—we had very adventurous classes and workshops that brought us all around Tokyo.”
—Alexei B., Brooklyn Friends School, New York, NY
This Program is Directed by
Ed Thanhouser
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
