Application Schedule – Summer 2026 | HIF Japanese Language and Japanese Culture Program

Application Schedule – Summer 2026

All the dates mentioned in this website are based on Japan Standard Time (JST). Japan does NOT observe daylight savings time.

December 1, 2025	Application opens
February 23, 2026	Application closes at 23:59 (JST)
By March 16, 2026	Screening Results Announcement Accepted students must confirm their participation within 3 days after the screening results announcement.
By April 1, 2026	Program Fee Payment Deadline

Notes:
Late application will be accepted only when spots are available.
The confirmation and payment deadlines are negotiable under these limited conditions: 1) you are accepted from the waiting list close to the deadlines; 2) you are waiting for a scholarship result to come out.

Accepted students who are waiting for a scholarship result

If you apply for a scholarship and its result does not come out by HIF’s screening results announcement date, you may request to postpone your confirmation deadline and your program fee payment deadline for the HIF program. Please contact the HIF Office for further instruction.

Name:

John Geitner

University:

University of
Notre Dame

The HIF program was super fun and a great learning opportunity! Getting to meet so many new people who all share the same goal of ...
Name:

Marcella Houston

University:

University of
Michigan

There are lots of different ways to enjoy your study abroad and they're all valid! Lots of students choose to travel lots or visit lots of attractions ...
Name:

Helen Liu

University:

University of
Pennsylvania

HIF is extremely rewarding and truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I think it's easier to be integrated into a host family as a younger college student ...
Name:

Nicole Lu

University:

Emory University

I loved the HIF program! I was able to learn so much - not only the Japanese language but also the culture and background of people ...
Name:

Kaitlyn Milleret

University:

University of
Notre Dame

I'm very grateful I got the opportunity to stay in Hakodate since it's such an underrated part of Japan. My favorite part was visiting landmarks like ...
Name:

Sofia Pan Xian

University:

University of
Michigan

If you feel you are struggling to speak, this program will make sure you go back feeling confident. You'll be only speaking Japanese - during class ...
Name:

Julian Schempf

University:

University of
Kansas

It might be difficult, but you will have the experience of a lifetime, something you will cherish for years to come.

HOKKAIDO INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Japanese Language and Japanese Culture Program

Application Schedule – Summer 2026

Accepted students who are waiting for a scholarship result