Our Mission!
Automated Driving
Machine Learning
Programming Language
Medicine
*subject to change without notice
Entrepreneurship
Management
Philanthropy
Personal Growth
The Natsuyasumi Project, or 夏休みプロジェクト in Japanese, is an innovative social enterprise aiming to fill a long-standing gap in the education industry, where students from lower socioeconomic status are too often disadvantaged and underrepresented in international education.
We invite high school students from around the globe to immerse themselves in East Asian culture in Japan. Participants will have the opportunity to explore diverse subjects such as art, language, social entrepreneurship, biology, coding, aerospace engineering, and automated driving. To receive a certificate of completion, participants must submit a video project that integrates academic subject(s) with philanthropic work.
Examples of mentors who will guide participants through the entire process include a PhD candidate at Harvard University, a computer scientist at Goldman Sachs Japan, a senior consultant at NTT QUNIE Corporation, and a data scientist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.*
The specific subjects offered each year will vary based on our careful selection of world-class mentors and their proposed lesson plans. The camp will be held annually in different locations throughout Japan, with the inaugural 2025 camp set in the stunning region of Hokkaido.
Substantial need-based scholarships and a limited number of merit-based scholarships will be provided to encourage more "idealists" and first-generation, low-income students to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Japan.
Our Founder
Ria (Ying) Cheng, Representative Director and Founder of The Natsuyasumi Project, is a traveler, animal lover, and a social justice innovator.
Before starting her own social enterprise, she gained experience at the intersection of law and philanthropy upon graduating from Stanford University. While working pro bono at various non-profit organizations, both international and regional, she noticed inefficiencies in traditional charity models. This inspired her to create The Natsuyasumi Project, which takes a different approach by using a for-profit model to support non-profit work, ensuring financial sustainability while driving meaningful social impact.
Travel to Japan
Discover your passion
Meet peers from around the globe
Embark to make an impact
SUMMER 2025!
Our summer camps are held annually at different locations across Japan.
The inaugural 2025 camp set in the stunning region of Hokkaido.
Q&A
When will applications to Summer 2025 camp open?
Applications for the Summer 2025 Camp in Hokkaido will open in late February. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified of the latest information on our events and schedule.
Are accommodations available for participants with special needs?
Yes. We will do our best to accommodate participants with disabilities, allergies, dietary restrictions, or other special needs.
What measures will be taken to ensure my kid's safety during the summer camp?
We hear you! That's why we take the safety of participants as our utmost priority. Medical staff and a security team will be available on site 24/7, and our directors and mentors will supervise all activities. We will have personnel who can speak English and Japanese on site at all time. Therefore, we ask that our participants have at least basic language skills in either language. If you have further questions regarding safety, we are happy to answer! Please email us at info@natsuproject.org
Our Commitment!
to accessible global education
In today's competitive landscape, international experience and language skills have become increasingly crucial for gaining admission to top universities and securing sought-after job positions. However, we understand that financial limitations can prevent many talented individuals from accessing these opportunities.
That’s why The Natsuyasumi Project exists—to bridge this gap and provide access to international education, and to educate a new generation of changemakers. We believe that the benefits of international exposure go beyond education and employability. Effective cross-cultural communication skills foster mutual understanding across regions and contribute to global development.
To support this mission, we are committed to offering need-based fee reductions or waivers to as many qualified applicants as possible. While our long-term goal is to enable at least half of our participants to attend our summer camp free of charge, please understand that our resources in this inaugural year are, unfortunately, more limited.
If you are interested in applying for financial assistance, please indicate this in your application and submit all required information and documents.
Rest assured, your application for financial aid, or your financial background, will NOT negatively impact your candidacy in any way.
Questions?
info@natsuproject.org | 070-4087-9253
〒1500043 東京都渋谷区道玄坂1丁目10番8号渋谷道玄坂東急ビル2F−C
1-10-8 Dogenzaka 2F-C, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Japan