Au,Ho Chung   Indiana University Bloomington
HIF program did not only help me improve my Japanese proficiency though intensive classes, but also allowed me to experience Japanese daily lifestyle through the home stay program. Various cultural events such as costume parade and Ika Odori gave me great opportunities in exploring the history a culture of Hakodate. This once in a life time experience filled my summer with joy and excitement.

Chang, Philip   Emory University
When HIF refers to itself as an 8-weeks intensive summer course, it is by no means an exaggeration. Daily kanji quizzes and weekly tests combined with the infamous nihong dake rule in a country where the sunrises at 3 AM undoubtedly presents a challenge. But it is this challenge that impels students of any level to succeed and as such, I feel that I have grown tremendously not only in the study of Japanese but also as a more cultured person.

Ho, Brian   University of Pennsylvania
Come here if you want to improve your Japanese, although it was only two months. I easily learned / improved more than the past two years I've taken Japanese. At first I could not understand my host father at all and just played with the children at home (which was fun, we played Pokemon.) But towards the end, I could have a conversation with him. You also will make some cool friends. The city is quiet, but you can make your own fun (Karaoke, bars, ocean.) Before coming here I was considering quitting Japanese as it to impossibly difficult. But I feel I reached a new level here and have decided to continue studying it forever.

McKinney, James   Tufts University
I can't help but look sadly upon the end of my two months in Hakodate. More than I could have expected I've been able to experience so much and meet so many people in these 8 short week than I would have thought possible. I hope these connection last a long time, since my memory from HIF are sure to last a lifetime.

Lee,Hwee Juin   Stanford University
I wasn't very sure about what to expect before coming to Japan, and what I experienced was definitely way beyond any expectations. The HIF program has really broadened my horizons by exposing me to various aspects of the Japanese culture as well as enabling me to learn more about myself and to grow as a person.

Lu, Guannan   Williams College
The HIF program just made the most beautiful 2 months in my life! Indeed, it's the first time for me to endeavor and thrive like this in my life. I've been indulged in sincere love and smiley faces for 2 months. Every teacher and staff member have been doing absolutely their best to ensure us to learn as much time Japanese culture as we can, and we are just so grateful to them from the bottom of our hearts. My host mum is so nice and perfect that I have been treating her as my real grandma. I love everything here truly!

Rimner, Steffen   Harvard University(Ph.D)
It is a very useful program considering language classes and culture activities. A majority of the students are undergraduates from US Universities. HIF puts equal emphasis on language proficiency and immersion in Japanese daily life. The host families are very kind, even doing, if you learn to comply to the rules of the house. All in all, I highly recommend this program. Ganbatte kudasai.

Rogers, Jacob   University of California
Through the two months learning Japanese in Hakodate, I have had the privilege to meet and study with amazing people from colleges across the United States and Canada. I've also stayed with a wonderful host family, who took care me when I was sick and supported me throughout the program. Being in Hakodate, studying Japanese language and culture has been a wonderful experience that I will always remember.