Boarding School Life
Boarding school life is an integral part of the UWC ISAK experience, offering a supportive and inclusive community where students can thrive both academically and personally. Our residences provide a home away from home, while our pastoral care, counseling, and advisory programs ensure that students have access to the resources they need to succeed. Join us and become part of our vibrant and diverse community.
Residences
UWC ISAK Japan’s residences offer shared bedrooms, living areas, and the opportunity to live with roommates from different countries and backgrounds. Students develop their leadership and problem-solving skills through their own house management systems. Each house is supervised by a House Mentor and Residential Advisors. We also offer blended housing options with access to gender-neutral facilities.
You will share a two-person or four-person bedroom in a house for 12 to 18 students. Each house includes a spacious living room/lounge area, a kitchenette and free laundry facilities.
In most cases, you will be assigned roommates from different countries and backgrounds, giving you the chance to learn about other cultures and perspectives on a daily basis.
You and your housemates will develop and implement your own house management systems, providing you with plenty of opportunities to develop your leadership, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
In addition to the Residential Advisors (RAs) — students that help keep the house operating smoothly and resolve minor issues — your house will be overseen by a House Mentor, a faculty member whose role is to support you in your residential setting.
While most of the houses are single-gender houses, we also offer blended housing (written parental consent required). Within the blended house, rooms are assigned by self-identified gender, and students have access to gender-neutral toilets and showers, as well as single-sex showers. Each year, supported by written parental consent form, students have the option of requesting placement in a single-gender house or the blended house.
Residence Tour
Boarding School Life Testimonial
Pastoral Care
UWC ISAK Japan’s pastoral care program is designed to provide a supportive and safe environment for our students to thrive. Our experienced staff, mentors, and counselors work together to create a healthy community where students can feel secure and confident. We take the safety and well-being of our community seriously and have a comprehensive safeguarding program in place. Our commitment to pastoral care allows our students to develop their independence and life management skills while being supported by caring adults.
Our campus staff includes nurses, counselors, peer supporters, and advisory leaders. Students also have access to health care on campus and through the excellent Japanese health care system. Our student support team members meet regularly to ensure that they are all working towards creating a healthy community for living, learning and working together.
Additionally, house mentors and duty mentors work with specific houses to ensure that students are looked after and safe at all times. Students are well supported by caring adults as they develop their independence and life management skills.
We take the safety and well-being of every member of our community extremely seriously and have a stringent program in place to ensure a safe environment. All of our staff and faculty are subject to international background checks and are required to complete regular safeguarding training programs.
Visit this page to view our safeguarding policy.
We understand that your religious beliefs and practices are your own and a key part of your identity, so we encourage you to live out your practices as you see fit.
We also have a thriving Interfaith Dialogue Group that was created as a forum for students to learn more about different religions while exploring their own personal beliefs.
Counseling
UWC ISAK Japan’s counseling program is designed to provide students with a safe and confidential space to discuss any personal, academic, or emotional challenges they may be facing. Our team of experienced counselors provides individual counseling sessions, workshops, and additional resources to help students develop coping strategies and build resilience.
Advisory
UWC ISAK Japan’s Advisory program is built around 5 tenets:
- Building relationships
- Encouraging open dialogue and reflection
- Supporting each other in growth
- Providing students with an academic and social liaison
- Supporting each other in developing leadership skills
Our non-graded program offers a space for students to connect with their peers and advisors in a supportive and relaxed environment. Advisory groups meet weekly, participate in on- or off-campus activities, and create their own group activities and entertainment. Our goal is to foster a positive and close-knit community where students can be themselves, build meaningful connections, and work towards outcomes that align with our school’s mission and vision.
