Curriculum (2 weeks in summer since 2013)
- SIJ Seven-Day English Summer School
- Language Arts courses
- Workshop courses
- Computer Science
- Performing Arts
- Public Speaking
- Special Lecture: Successful pathways to American Colleges (from a Harvard grad professional adviser) 2025 2025
Special Lesson: Sumire Hirotsuru Violin Masterclass 2025 2026
- Outreach Programs (Two-day session)
- SIJ Classical Concert 2013 – present
- Daily Cultural Exchange Presentations 2013 – present
- Touch and Feel Japan (Tourism for Harvard instructors to explore Japan) 2013- present
Japanse culture lessons (language, calligraphy, Ikebana flower arangement) 2013 – present
1. SIJ Seven-Day English Summer School
Language Arts Courses
The Language Arts classes are grouped according to the participants’ level of English proficiency and age. They learn how to read and write academic essays, creative writing, science reports, personal statements and more.
Workshop Courses
Participants can choose a workshop based on their own interests.
I. Computer Science
The Computer Science workshop focuses on teaching students the fundamentals of computer science and problem-solving. Students will use object-oriented programming languages to develop their own animations, games, and apps.
lI. Performing Arts
Students create original theater performances with the help of experienced instructors.They build confidence and communication skills through a series of ensemble activities and exercises. Students practice writing scenes, blocking, and portraying a broad spectrum of characters and experiences.
lII. Public Speaking
The Public Speaking Workshop focuses on the mechanisms of an effective presentation. Boosting students’ confidence in public speaking skills will be achieved through interactive exercises, empowering experiences, and critical evaluation. Through constructive feedback from peers and instructors to formulate original and well-articulated ideas which engage the audience, students can deliver powerful and memorable speeches.
2. Outreach Programs
Primary and Secondary students from Oita schools learn essay structure and effective speech from top global University students while building friendly relationships through group activities. This outreach program has been successfully implemented since 2015.
Oita City
3. SIJ Classical Concert
Since 2013, this concert has been one of the main events of SIJ under the direction of Sumire Hirotsuru. In the past, it has featured a wide variety of music, dance and theater performances from SIJ’s instructors.
4. Daily Cultural Exchange Presentations
All SIJ instructors have diverse perspectives and experiences regarding their interests, travels, research, hometowns, campus lives and beyond. At the close of each of the seminar’s seven days, they will make presentations about their lives, and engage participating students with lively discussions, questions and answers.
5. Touch and Feel Japan
Since 2013, SIJ instructors have had the chance to experience Buddhist and Shinto retreats, explore the beauty of Oita’s mountains and beaches, and tasted delicious local dishes, matcha sweets and traditional washoku. They have attended various attractions including a fireworks festival, hot spring resorts, a wild monkey sanctuary, tea ceremony, as well as traditional dances, costumes, and more. from 2025, instructors take initiatives to craft their own itineraries to explore Japan. SIJ Japanese culture courses are also extremely popular, and university students are enjoying exploring and embracing new cultural experiences.