COOP SAPPORO × JAPAN POLARIS
COOP Study Abroad
From Hokkaido to the world
A short-term English study plan in Cebu that people in Hokkaido can take on with confidence.
What is “COOP Study Abroad”?
“I’m curious about studying abroad, but I don’t know much about schools, costs or paperwork.” This short-term English study plan in Cebu (the Philippines), created in Hokkaido, is designed to help people like you take a first step with peace of mind.
Schools chosen after site visits
We have visited Cebu in person to check the learning environment, accommodation, meals, location and support on offer. Our recommendations centre on schools we feel able to stand behind.
From beginners to experienced learners
Whether you are learning English for the first time or aiming for TOEIC, IELTS or Business English, we build a plan around your current level and your reasons for studying abroad.
Easy to settle in, even for first-timers
Some schools are Japanese-owned or have support staff who know Japan well, so we can suggest options that feel manageable if living abroad is new to you.
Talk to us in Sapporo
We don’t just introduce a school and step back. From choosing a school and getting a quote to enrolment and travel preparation, JAPAN POLARIS stays with you as your point of contact on the Japan side.
What kind of study abroad is possible?
People’s ages and reasons for going abroad differ. With COOP Study Abroad, we choose schools to match each purpose, whether you are a university student, a family or in your senior years.
University students and youth
English and overseas experience that carry into your future.
Recommended for you if
- You want some overseas experience before you start work
- You want to feel confident speaking English
- You want to raise your TOEIC or IELTS score
- You want a first step towards working abroad, a working holiday or longer study abroad
- You want to meet local students and international students from many countries
POINTChoose anything from a one-week short stay to an intensive stay of four weeks or more.
Families and parent-child study
A family trip with an English experience: a new option.
Recommended for you if
- You want your child to have an overseas experience
- You want to learn English together with your child
- You want to make use of spring, summer or winter holidays
- You would like to relax and recover from everyday tiredness while your child studies
POINTSome schools offer family plans in which parent and child can take different numbers of lessons.
Seniors and returning to study
Turn “someday I’ll learn English” into now.
Recommended for you if
- You want to enjoy overseas travel more on your own
- You want to study the English you learned long ago once more
- You want to try something new after retirement
- You want to learn English and experience another culture at your own pace, without cramming
POINTCourses with fewer lessons and private rooms let you choose with your stamina and lifestyle in mind.
A wide choice of partner schools
Even within Cebu, schools differ greatly in lessons, atmosphere, location, dormitories, meals and activities. We make suggestions based on whether a school suits you, not on whether it is popular.
Stargate
For first-time students and English beginners
- Japanese-owned, with Japanese-speaking staff
- Mainly one-to-one lessons
- School and dormitory in the same building
- Relatively easy to keep costs down
GLC
For enjoying both study and socialising
- Large, international environment
- Wide range from general English to test preparation
- Kids and junior programmes
- Family package available
B'Cebu
Study plus an active stay
- Structured English programmes
- International environment
- Fitness and special programmes
- Plenty of weekend activities
ELSA
For parents and children, juniors, and a natural setting
- Spacious campus rich in nature
- Strong educational environment for children
- Stays for parents and children supported
- Calm surroundings
Lapu-Lapu Cebu International College
The experience of “studying at a university”
- English plus cross-cultural learning
- Buddy System with local students
- Study on a university campus
- Useful for future study and international experience
How study-abroad costs work
“So how much does it all come to?” It helps to think of the cost in three parts: (1) what you pay the school, (2) what you pay locally, and (3) what you arrange yourself.
(1) Paid to the school from Japan
Mainly tuition and accommodation
- Tuition
- Student dormitory and accommodation
- Meals
- Enrolment and registration fees
- School-specific services
(2) Paid after arriving in Cebu
Local expenses you will need
- SSP (Special Study Permit)
- SSP E-Card
- Teaching materials
- Administration fee
- Electricity and water
- Dormitory deposit
- Visa extension fees, if needed
(3) Arranged and paid by you
Think of these separately from school fees
- Return flights
- Overseas travel insurance
- Eating out
- Sightseeing and activities
- Pocket money
- Transport to the airport and elsewhere
Don’t judge a plan by the tuition figure alone. Even a plan that looks cheap can go over budget once local costs and flights are added. During your free consultation, we work out together what the whole trip will need.
Setting your budget
Start from an upper limit for the total, not from school fees. If you first decide “this is the most I can spend, all in”, choosing a school and plan becomes much easier.
1 WEEK
For those who want to try studying abroad first
Total budget guide for consultations
approx. ¥250,000–350,000
- A short stay is easier to take on
- Flights tend to make up a larger share
- Also suits university students and working adults using their holidays
2 WEEKS
A balance of study and life abroad
Total budget guide for consultations
approx. ¥300,000–450,000
- More lesson time than one week
- Easier to get used to life in Cebu
- Also recommended for students’ long holidays
- Cost varies with the activities you choose
4 WEEKS
For those who want to take English seriously
Total budget guide for consultations
approx. ¥400,000–550,000
- Around a month in an English-speaking environment
- Wider choice of schools and room types; cost varies with room type
- Many schools offer discounts the longer you stay
* These are rough figures for consultation, to help you plan with some margin, based on school fees, local expenses, flights, insurance and so on. Actual costs vary greatly with the season, airfare, exchange rates, school, course, room type, number of travellers and more.
3 ways to save
- Choose a shared room
- Avoid the expensive flight periods
- Don’t add more lessons than you need
What you need to do
It’s simpler than you might think: just 5 steps.
Talk to us first
Tell us roughly when you would like to go, for how many weeks, what you want to do and what your budget is.
Choose a plan
Compare the schools, courses, rooms and costs we suggest, and pick the plan that makes you think, “I’d like to go with this.”
Apply and pay
Once you are happy with the details, you fill in the necessary forms, we check your passport and application details, and you pay the study-abroad fees.
Prepare to travel
Before departure, you arrange your flights, overseas travel insurance and the things you need to pack.
Just before departure
Finally, check the pre-travel online procedures such as the Philippines’ eTravel arrival registration, your flight details, the airport pick-up and your packing, and then you are off to Cebu.
What we at JAPAN POLARIS do
We don’t just introduce a school and step back. We stay with you until departure, so you always know what to do and when.
Considering
Consultation and planning
Sorting out your questions before you go
- Free one-to-one consultation
- Listening to your goals, English level and wishes
- School comparison
- Course selection
- Room type selection
- Quote prepared to fit your budget
Considering
Application procedures
Support in dealing with the school
- Checking room availability with the school
- Guidance on enrolment procedures
- Liaising with the school
- Checking invoice details
- Guidance on sending payment
- Explaining the contents of documents in English
Before departure
Travel preparation
Checking together what is due, and when
- Advice on booking flights
- Guidance on overseas travel insurance
- Checking required documents
- Pre-departure orientation
- Guidance on online procedures such as eTravel
- Final packing check
After you return
After you return
Beyond the trip, if you would like it
- Advice on continuing your English study
- Introduction to online learning
- Career advice on further study, jobs, working holidays and more
Any worries like these?
I can hardly speak any English.
There are schools and courses you can join as a complete beginner. You don’t need to choose a school on the assumption that you already speak English. Think of it this way: because you can’t speak English yet, studying abroad is the way to learn.
Is it all right to bring my children?
Some schools have courses for parents and children, or kids’ programmes. We choose a school after checking your child’s age and English level, and whether the parent also wants to take lessons.
Won’t I stand out as a senior?
Some general language schools have no age limit for students. When you are choosing a school, we can tell you the age mix of international students at each one.
If I ask for advice, will you keep pressing me until I sign up?
After your free consultation, we will not keep contacting you unless you ask us to. It is perfectly fine to come simply to decide whether to study abroad at all, so please book with peace of mind.
Our work with COOP SAPPORO
COOP Study Abroad is a study-abroad plan offered by COOP SAPPORO, Hokkaido’s consumer co-operative, and JAPAN POLARIS Co., Ltd. in collaboration. JAPAN POLARIS handles consultations and procedures.
The COOP SAPPORO logo and characters are the property of COOP SAPPORO. ©トドック
Turn your “I’d like to go” into “I’m glad I went”.
It’s fine if nothing is decided yet. Even if you just want to hear about COOP Study Abroad, please feel free to get in touch.