What some working holiday makers have said about the program and Yamasa.

Female from Australia, 23, university student, arrived February 1997

"My year in Japan was the perfect chance to use my Japanese and consolidate all of those hours of study. There's no way I could have got here without the working holiday program. Yamasa was great. I loved Okazaki and having my own flat at Yamasa Villa was a lot better than I expected and heaps better than some of the dives I ended up staying in elsewhere! Participating in the festivals was unforgettable. I had never felt so welcome travelling overseas before and I really miss all my Japanese friends."

Male from New Zealand, 26, scuba diving instructor, arrived June 1996

"The working holiday was the best move I've ever made. There was no way I could have afforded to see as much of Japan as I did and also enjoy a completely different culture. I picked up a lot of the language skills I required for instructing Japanese people in diving and made many good friends. Okazaki was quiet but it was a good place to start. Looking back I wish I'd stayed a bit longer there."

Male from Canada, 29, ESL teacher, arrived Apr. 1995

"The program is an exceptional opportunity that enabled me to work and travel in Japan. I was able to meet and work with the Japanese people, learn a lot of the language while I was there and really come to appreciate the culture. Teaching in Okazaki was cool, the students wonderful. I found Yamasa's programs to be good value for money and the teachers superb too. It was thanks to Yamasa that I was able to pass the Level 2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test while I was there. Since returning to Canada I've continued to use my Japanese. The year was so short but I gained so much experience both professionally and personally. "

Male from Australia, 26, Engineer, arrived December 1994

"Quitting my job and heading to Japan was something I was initially quite worried about. I had been to Japan before and loved it, but heading off on my own was a real worry. In the end I worked 2 seasons in the ski-fields and travelled right throughout Japan. A few months before my final visa extension was due to finish I decided to seriously study Japanese. I had learnt a lot and studied a fair bit by myself - but it seemed a wasted opportunity to leave. After searching for schools and contacting/visiting 35 or so I chose Yamasa and moved to Okazaki. A great move too. I attained fluency and literacy and passed the Level 1 exam. Switching to a student visa was easy and I found that I had plenty of time for work and play. I was even able to quickly find enough work to cover my tuition and living expenses and even managed to save a bit. I'm still in Japan and having a great time."