Frequently Asked Questions

A selective, graduate-level program for ambitious university students — experience education at UCSD's School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) before committing to a degree program. Ideal for students considering long-term study abroad, American graduate school, or international careers.

Experience graduate-level study at UCSD's GPS — the same school that trains future diplomats and policy leaders. You'll participate in educational site visits, seminars, and workshops while expanding your network in both Japan and America as a leader.

Unlike general enrollment programs, FGL operates through the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS), UCSD's graduate school. Our instructors are GPS faculty who teach PhD and Master's students. It is a rare configuration where Japanese undergraduates can take US graduate-level lectures.

UCSD ranks among the top 10 US public universities, with Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty. Located in La Jolla, San Diego, California. FGL operates through GPS (School of Global Policy and Strategy), UCSD's renowned graduate school for international affairs, which has produced leaders in government, business, and NGOs worldwide.

GPS faculty deliver graduate-level content. Participants take notes in English, write essays, and engage in policy discussions, a condensed version of the academic work GPS Master's students do. Past participants often describe the program as helping them build confidence and a broader global perspective.

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.

FGL lectures are graduate-level content taught by GPS faculty. Topics include international political economy, global business strategy, and leadership — the same subjects taught in GPS Master's programs. The curriculum is tailored for Japanese undergraduates but maintains graduate rigor.

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 off-campus activities.

For Summer 2026, airport transfers are not arranged by the program. Most participants take a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi from San Diego International Airport (SAN) directly to the UCSD campus — about 25 minutes. Detailed pre-arrival instructions are sent before the program begins.

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

Major excursions to Disneyland, as well as shorter recreational activities like beach and water activities, shopping, and sports. In the Spring program, the visit to the San Diego Zoo is a program activity included in the fee, not a paid optional extra.

Spring program: tuition, accommodation, daily breakfast, local transport, and the program's excursions and activities are included. A visit to the San Diego Zoo and a UCSD Recreation pass (campus gyms, pools and other sports facilities) are also included in the fee. Disneyland and surfing are optional, at additional cost. Summer program: tuition, on-campus dormitory, all three daily meals, field trips, and course materials are included; round-trip airfare, travel insurance, and optional activities are extra.

Spring program: The 2-week program runs from Sunday, February 14 to Saturday, February 27, 2027. It is open to any student enrolled at a university in Japan. The lectures, the hotel and the on-site support are the same as on the 3-week program. The 3-week program adds the intensive English seminar week (Feb 8–12). Housing is the Residence Inn by Marriott with breakfast, and the field trips are shared by both programs.

All participants are required to carry copies of their passport, credit/debit cards, and one passport photo. Spring program: notify your concierge (Jacob) immediately. Summer program: notify UCSD GLI on-site staff immediately, then contact the Japanese Consulate-General in Los Angeles.

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

Spring program only — Jacob Searing, founder of FGL Japan and GPS alumnus (now called School of Global Policy and Strategy). Jacob is a native San Diegan, fluent in Japanese and English, with 20+ years in Japan. His GPS background means he understands exactly what the program offers. Summer program: there is no FGL concierge on site. The Summer program is staffed on the ground by UC San Diego GPS/GLI; Jacob is available from Japan for Japanese-language questions.

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.

Applying (出願) means applying to the FGL Academy program itself, through the application form at fgl.academy/apply. For the Spring 2027 program the application deadline is December 15, 2026. Signing up (お申し込み) means registering for a free online information session (説明会) or for the preparation sign-up. There is no fee and no obligation. Signing up does not count as applying — if you want to join the program, you still need to submit an application. If you are joining through your university, your university may run its own internal procedure: an internal selection (学内選考) or a credit-approval process. That is a separate university step, not the same as applying to FGL, and it comes first.

Spring program: Cancellations 45 or more days before the start date of the program applied for (3-week: February 7, 2027; 2-week: February 14, 2027) receive a full refund minus the 43,400 JPY application fee. Cancellations less than 45 days before that start date are non-refundable. Summer program: For cancellation/refund terms and related inquiries, please contact Greg Mallinger at UCSD GLI (Global Leadership Institute) directly: [email protected].

Accommodation varies by program. Spring Program (Feb-Mar): Residence Inn by Marriott, off-campus with excellent access. Shared rooms (2-4 students). Daily breakfast provided; lunch and dinner on your own. Summer Program (Aug): UCSD on-campus dormitory. Shared rooms with fellow participants. Full meal plan (3 daily) in the housing fee.

Spring program: we don't publish a line-item financial breakdown, but the program fee covers tuition, accommodation, daily breakfast, local transport, materials, on-site coordination, and administration. Summer program: the fee is set and invoiced by UC San Diego and is published as three components — application fee, program fee, and housing & meals (on-campus dormitory with all three daily meals). See the Summer program page for current amounts.

Spring program: Expect to spend about $8–20 per meal if you eat out. Every suite has a kitchen, so cooking for yourself can bring that to less than half, depending on what you buy and which supermarket you use. Three supermarkets, Ralphs, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, are within walking distance. Breakfast is included in the program fee. Summer program: all three daily meals are included in the fee.