The Experiment Japan Pre-Departure Orientation by World Learning Youth Exchange

Share your name & where you are calling from

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:14:35 UTC

What are you looking forward to learning on your program this summer?

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:14:35 UTC

Hi, I'm Anna Gail, Senior Program Officer, calling from southern Vermont

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:14:35 UTC

Greetings, I'm Dr. Anna Gail Caunca (she/her) and go by Anna Gail or AG. I have been working with World Learning since 2015 and this is my 5th summer with The Experiment. I love collaborating with our global partners and supporting participants to expand their worldview. I'm a mama, pickleball player, and a beginner circus arts aerialist.

Post your questions here

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:14:35 UTC

If we don't get to all the questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to info@experiment.org.

Share your name & where you are calling from

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:16:25 UTC

Hi, I'm Anna Gail, Senior Program Officer, calling from southern Vermont

WorldLearning — 2026-06-15 19:17:14 UTC

Japan "Cultural Don'ts"

WorldLearning — 2026-06-16 22:44:53 UTC

Many of our participants ask about what they should or shouldn't do so as not to offend. Our global partner has shared a student-made video to share with participants the cultural "don'ts" in Japan, explaining etiquette around transit, meals, classroom, etc. As with traveling to any new place, we recommend you come with a curious and open mind, and observe the locals around you.

2026-06-16 23:15:57 UTC

Hi, I'm Katheryn (she/her)! I'm going into my senior year of high school, and I'm flying in from Key West. Other than watching anime and reading manga, my favorite hobbies are drawing, lifting weights, reading, and baking. I've also played volleyball for around 5 years! I'm so excited to meet everyone this summer!!!

Hi! I am Maddie Lee!

maddle24422 — 2026-06-16 23:19:15 UTC

Hello, I am Maddie Lee (she/her)! I am going into my sophmore year and I have been learning Japanese for around three years now! I am so excited to get to know you all!!! I am calling from San Mateo :D

2026-06-16 23:19:26 UTC

Hi my name is Maya. She / her I’m from San Diego but calling from Pa where I currently live I’m very excited to go shopping and immerse myself in the culture

2026-06-16 23:20:00 UTC

Hi, i'm Samuel Hunter, from Seattle, Washington. I've lived here my whole life, and gone through several public schools. I'm currently at Garfield HS, where I invest my time heavily in jazz (tenor sax!), and ttrpg club (D&D!). I've been into anime for a long time now, and I thought that this would be a great opportunity to learn about the culture and media from a non-western perspective. I'm looking forward to learning, living, and meeting with lots of different people this summer!

2026-06-16 23:23:53 UTC

Hi, Sam H here. I think what I'm most looking forward to is walking through the city and discovering new things-im sure Tokyo is too large to see everything even in my lifetime, but u want to catch a glimpse of the vibrancy there is to see in Japan and it's cities.

2026-06-16 23:25:52 UTC

Hi! I am Ava Plascencia, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I am going to be a senior this year at Garfield Senior High School (East Los Angeles)! I am so excited to experience art and learn more about anime and manga from those who are passionate and experienced. I love to draw, play instruments (trumpet & french horn), and cook. I am so excited to meet everyone!

Hi I’m Ade Hooks calling from Brooklyn, New York

2026-06-16 23:26:28 UTC

Hello! my name is Ade Hooks [He/Him] I am from Brooklyn, New York. I just graduated from high school and start university this fall. I have been looking forward to this experience since I was notified that I was accepted! Looking forward to making new friends and traveling with you all the last summer before I go to college!

Looking forward to making memories!

2026-06-16 23:30:29 UTC

Looking forward to learning about Japan culture and traveling so far from home. I’m also excited to try every new food being a foodie myself. And of course taking a lot of photos and videos of my experience!

Hi - Carol Alvarez

marymuffin911 — 2026-06-16 23:38:23 UTC

Hi I’m Carol Alvarez (she/her) and I'm from south FL :) super duper excited to go and cramming last minute Japanese lessons to survive✌️I hope we have so much fun on the trip🤩

Hello, I am Jesse Smeltzer

2026-06-16 23:38:26 UTC

My name is Jesse Smeltzer [He/Him] I am originally from Kissimmee, However I have lived in The Florida Keys for the better half of my life. I live in Summerland now. I heard about The Expirement from a presentation at school and I was immediately invested in the idea of study abroad and meeting new people!

Do we have to be to bring our medicine in all of it’s original prescription bottles or can bring a pill case for easy packing

2026-06-16 23:41:29 UTC

hiii!!! <3

2026-06-16 23:44:57 UTC

heyy my name is gretchen, but you can call me gretch, rennie, gigi, gretchen, or literally any nickname you can think of. im from san francisco, CA but i go to school in monterey/pebble beach, CA and spend my summers in the napa valley. i love to travel and im so excited to go to japan for my first time. i JUST finished junior year and im so happy to be on summer break :). some other things abt me are i do distance jogging, i love spending time in nature, im a theater kid (i do theater tech), and it's my dream to complete a marathon. can't wait to meet everyone!!

2026-06-16 23:55:06 UTC

Also will there be lots of time to explore will I need a suica card for train

Hi! I’m Owen Greer

2026-06-17 00:25:47 UTC

I grew up in NYC and now I live in Baltimore, MD. I just finished junior year and am super excited to travel to Japan, meet new people, try to pick up some of the language, and just have a great summer before senior year!

Luggage

2026-06-17 00:28:03 UTC

What is recommended as a carry-on or day-pack, especially because we need it for three days. And what size suitcase should we bring?

2026-06-17 00:31:38 UTC

Hi! My name is Vicky (she/her) I'm from Daly City, CA! I just finished up my junior year of high school and am really looking for this trip. I can't wait to meet you all and explore Japan together!

For Clothing

2026-06-17 00:44:26 UTC

I live in Florida, and here there are sun/fishing shirts you can get them off amazon id recomend getting one or two of those long sleeves because they are light and will block the sun off you, but won't overheat you and are very breathable, and some longer shorts

Hi I'm Mychael! Im a now senior at University Academy Located in Kansas City, Missouri and I've attended this school since kindergarten. Some random hobbies I partake in are band (flute and bass guitar and a little trumpet), I can sew, bake, and watching/reading anime. My goal for this trip is to make memories so let's have a blast I say guys!

mychaelramsey — 2026-06-17 01:28:53 UTC

Q&A Closed

WorldLearning — 2026-06-17 02:22:29 UTC

Please review the Pre-Departure Orientation recording for answers to these questions and more. We are no longer actively monitoring the Q&A. Please reach out to info@experiment.org for further questions.

2026-06-17 14:42:26 UTC

It’s nice to meet you all!! My name is McKenna (they/them), I am a graduate of an online school, and will be flying out of Omaha, Nebraska. My hobbies are; drawing, reading, writing, playing various games, watching anime, and I love to dabble in different crafts cause I love to create! This program is a dream come true, I can’t wait to learn new techniques and explore a brand new culture anlongside all of you!