#Japan #Tokyo #Career Development #Study Abroad #EF Education

Overview of Current Trends in Studying Abroad

As the yen continues to weaken, the number of young people hesitating to study abroad seems to be increasing. A joint study conducted by RyuLog, a platform that provides study abroad scholarships, and One Terrace, which supports job-seeking international students, reveals that a staggering 84% of Japanese students cite 'financial reasons (too expensive)' as a barrier to studying overseas. Due to the depreciation of the yen and rising costs, the expenses associated with studying abroad—often denominated in dollars and euros—have skyrocketed, with fees rising about 20-30% compared to levels in 2021.

Turning the Yen's Weakness into an Opportunity

Despite the mounting pressure of study costs, EF Education First, which boasts a global network for language education across more than 100 countries, is suggesting a paradigm shift. Instead of viewing the yen's depreciation as simply a 'loss,' EF urges students to see it as an opportunity to develop skills that can earn foreign currency.

Na-na Ito, president of EF's Japan branch, points out that if one establishes a career in the U.S. with an annual income of $80,000, that amount translates to about 8.8 million yen at the exchange rate of 110 yen to the dollar in 2021. In contrast, with the yen's depreciation to around 140 yen, that same income now equals approximately 11.2 million yen. This means that students can leverage currency fluctuations to their advantage. In this sense, studying abroad should not be regarded merely as a consumption expense but rather as an investment that alters the currency composition of one’s future income.

The Career-Oriented Study Abroad Program

Supporting this perspective is EF’s 'University Preparation Program,' designed to connect students' study abroad experiences to their career paths. This program provides the necessary language proficiency and academic skills required for admission to foreign universities, guaranteeing graduates acceptance into one of EF’s 250+ partner universities worldwide. Successful alumni from the program have been accepted into prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, University College London, and New York University.

Students can choose from study locations in Sydney, Oxford, Vancouver, Seattle, Munich, Boston, and Manchester across seven countries.

Consider the experience of H.M., a 28-year-old who progressed from studying under the program to a job at a London-based institution. H.M. shares, "Before I attended EF, I lacked confidence in my English abilities and believed studying abroad was beyond my reach. However, during my time with EF, I learned not just the language but also how to embrace cultural differences, which broadened my worldview."

"In my current workplace, where English is the corporate language, the ability to engage with diverse viewpoints, which I honed during my EF experience, remains foundational. The costs of studying abroad were substantial, but I realize that decision was the greatest investment I made for my future."

Ending the Era of Living Exclusively in Yen

Regarding the cultivation of global talent among Japanese students through study abroad, Ito emphasizes, "While you may work in Japan in the future, equipping yourself with 'the option to earn overseas' allows you to have more freedom in your career path."

As a well-recognized brand for study abroad in Europe, EF Education First aims to expand its visibility in Japan as a supporter of 'proactive studying abroad.' In line with this goal, an upcoming study abroad fair is scheduled for June 14, 2025, across various locations in Japan.

EF Study Abroad Fair in 2025

• - Date: June 14, 2025 (Saturday)
• - Time: Varies by location
• - Locations: EF offices nationwide (Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Sapporo, Fukuoka)
• - Admission Fee: Free (pre-registration required)
• - Target Audience: Middle and high school students, university students, professionals, and parents
• - Registration URL: EF Study Abroad Fair Registration

About EF Education First

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF Education First operates under the motto 'Education First' and has grown to become the world’s largest private educational institution with over 50,000 employees, half of whom are teachers. With the mission of opening the world through education, EF supports connections among people across borders through language learning, study abroad, academic programs, and cultural exchanges. The organization maintains operations in over 100 countries and runs 50 language schools in 20 countries, offering language and study abroad programs as well as exchange programs. In Japan, EF has established offices in Sapporo, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Fukuoka.

EF is not just a study abroad agency but also a direct educational institution operating language schools globally, innovating education through technology. To discover the true allure and value of study abroad experiences, navigate to the official EF YouTube channel to hear voices from actual study abroad students and see learning environments first-hand.