What is it really like to live and learn at a full-boarding international school in the mountains of Japan?
Remove (Year 10) Harrow Appi Student Ikuko shares her journey — from taking the leap to leave a traditional school in Tokyo where she was born, to discovering independence, nature, and a surprising love for Mapo tofu!
Can you tell us a bit about your background before joining Harrow Appi?
I used to attend a private school in Tokyo — the kind where you stay all the way from primary through high school. It was quite traditional, and while I had some international after-school classes, I’d never been in a full English-speaking environment before.
Around my second year of junior high, I started to feel that the school wasn’t really the right fit for me anymore. That’s when my mum found Harrow Appi in a magazine. I researched it myself and got more and more interested. In the end, I decided to take the entrance exam — and now, I’m really glad I did.
What was it like to move from day school to full boarding?
At first, it was a little nerve-wracking. Boarding sounded exciting but also unfamiliar. The idea of living away from home was a big change. I did feel a bit homesick in the first couple of weeks — I think everyone does — but the support from friends and teachers helped me settle in pretty quickly.
Now, I actually think boarding is one of the best parts of Harrow Appi. Living with friends 24 hours a day is a lot more fun than I expected. It’s like having a second family.
What does a typical day at Harrow Appi look like for you?
After lessons, we go into Super-Curriculum and Co-Curricular Activities — or CCA. Then there’s Prep time for homework. Between evening roll call and lights out, there’s a free hour where we can do what we like.
I usually head to the Performing Arts Centre — I take piano and singing lessons, and I love that we have access to music rooms, the dance studio, the gym… everything’s just there when you want it.
Harrow Appi puts a strong emphasis on nature. How has that shaped your experience?
It’s definitely been a big part of life here. Right after I joined, we went on Short Expedition — a one-night camping trip with our house. I didn’t know anyone yet, and I was shy, but I made my first friends on that trip. It rained, so we camped indoors instead of outside, but we still did BBQs and fun activities. It taught me that being flexible is part of being in nature.
In the Green Season, I joined the Sports Academy for golf — my family loves it — but watching my friends mountain biking made me want to try that next. And then there’s the White Season — skiing and snowboarding whenever you want. You can ski twice a week and even on weekends. You get better so quickly without even realising. I’m already counting down to next season.
How have you grown since joining Harrow Appi?
A lot. My old school was more about tradition and doing things a certain way, but here, tradition and innovation go together. People really encourage you to try new things. I’ve had so many new experiences I wouldn’t have had anywhere else.
My classmates are also really inspiring — they all have different talents, and that pushes me to explore new interests too.
And maybe most importantly, I’ve learned to be more independent. Living away from my parents has made me appreciate them more, and I’ve started doing things for myself that I used to take for granted. I’m really thankful I got to learn that early in life.
Interested in learning more about how the full-boarding experience at Harrow Appi? Download our 2025 guide now!
