Frequently Asked Questions

This is a startup program exclusively for university students looking to pursue long-term study abroad, experience American graduate education, or build an international career.

You'll experience graduate-level study as a Japanese undergraduate, experience American grad school life, participate in educational tours, seminars, and workshops, and expand your network in both Japan and America as a leader.

While many programs offer study abroad at foreign universities, very few allow Japanese undergraduates to study at a top-tier American graduate school. Our instructors are world-renowned graduate school professors, not English teachers.

UCSD is one of the top universities in the University of California system, with Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty. It's located in La Jolla, San Diego, California.

Past participants have all had fulfilling experiences. The main purpose is to test your leadership abilities. Participants take high-level graduate courses in English, take notes, write essays, and make independent decisions in a new environment.

The minimum English level required is lower-intermediate. The goal isn't to understand everything the professors say, but to listen in English and try to understand the lectures as much as possible.

The FGL program is specially designed for Japanese participants and their areas of study. It's supervised by the professors themselves.

Unlimited opportunities. Every day you'll interact with local students and others. There are many formal and informal networking opportunities.

Most of your time will be spent on and around the UCSD campus. The UCSD campus is very large (5 km²), so bicycles are the most effective and convenient mode of transport. Charter buses are used for tours.

All participants travel between the airport and campus on a specially chartered bus, accompanied by an FGL program concierge.

Free time is scheduled throughout the program. The schedule is packed with activities, but includes free time and optional activities.

Major tours to Disneyland and San Diego Zoo, as well as shorter recreational activities like surfing, shopping, and sports.

Almost everything is included: transportation, tour costs, workshops, tuition, and accommodation. Optional tours to the zoo and Disneyland are extra.

All participants are required to carry copies of their passport, credit/debit cards, and one passport photo. If lost, notify your concierge immediately.

Yes. There are about 15 ATMs on the UCSD campus, including Bank of America and other bank ATMs.

Jacob Searing, founder of FGL Japan. Jacob is a graduate of the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, native San Diegan, fluent in Japanese and English, and has lived in Japan for 20 years.

Japanese citizens don't need a visa but must register with ESTA. Chinese nationals and other 'non-exempt' citizens must obtain a tourist visa (B1/B2).

Go to the application page and fill out the Google Form with the required information.

Cancellations 45+ days before the program start receive a full refund minus the 43,400 JPY application fee. Cancellations less than 45 days before are non-refundable.

We plan to use Residence INN by MARRIOTT. It's off-campus but has excellent access. Security-equipped with shared rooms.

We maintain confidentiality regarding financial operations. The program fee includes lectures, transportation, accommodation, materials, guides, and administration - everything for a comprehensive educational experience.