Guiding Each Student Toward a Confident Future
The university counseling program at Hiroshima International School supports every student as they explore their strengths, plan their future, and take their next steps with confidence. Our work is grounded in the HIS commitment to PEACE, which shapes how we advise, guide, and empower students throughout their journey from the MYP to graduation.
HIS graduates continue to universities and colleges in Japan and around the world. Through individualized support and strong relationships, we help students discover pathways that match their goals, values, and identity.
How PEACE Guides University Counseling
We create a welcoming space where students feel seen, heard, and supported. Each student’s aspirations are honored, and counseling conversations focus on strengths, opportunities, and meaningful growth. Families are partners in the process, and all students receive encouragement to explore a wide range of future possibilities.
Students participate in thoughtful conversations, workshops, and planning sessions that help them understand university systems in Japan and abroad. We guide them through IB course selection, application timelines, essay writing, and interview preparation. Our aim is to make the process clear, manageable, and engaging from start to finish.
We empower students to take ownership of their future. They lead their research, reflect on their goals, and make informed choices about their pathways. Counselors coach students to advocate for themselves, manage deadlines, and communicate honestly about their aspirations, challenges, and growth.
The counseling process reinforces empathy, responsibility, and global citizenship. Students consider how their strengths contribute to their community and how they can serve society beyond HIS. We help them build authentic relationships with teachers, mentors, and universities, and develop the character needed to navigate life transitions with confidence.
Students learn to balance ambition with wellbeing. We support them as they work toward personal excellence, whether that involves pursuing a competitive university program or discovering an unexpected pathway. Reflection, perseverance, and resilience are part of the journey, and we encourage students to view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Personalized Support for Every Step
Individual Advising
Beginning in Grade 9, students meet regularly with the university counselor to discuss interests, course plans, and future goals. Support becomes more intensive in Grades 11 and 12, with tailored guidance for university choices and applications.
IB Diploma Pathway Planning
We help students understand how IB subjects align with different university pathways, including STEM, humanities, arts, and international studies. Students receive clear guidance on prerequisites, balanced workloads, and long-term planning.
Workshops and Information Sessions
Throughout the year, we offer sessions on:
- The IB and university admissions
- Essay and personal statement writing
- Applying to universities in Japan and overseas
- Scholarships and financial aid
- Transitioning to university life
Application Guidance
- Students receive hands-on support with:
- Writing and revising essays and statements
- Interview practice
- Recommendation letters and predicted grades
- Portfolios for arts pathways
- UCAS, Common App, Japanese university systems, and other application platforms
University and College Destinations
HIS students enter universities across Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Recent acceptances include:
Japan & Asia: University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Keio University, Sophia University, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka University, Kyushu University, KAIST, Yonsei
Europe: Charles University, Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Würzburg
North America: Harvard University, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Michigan, NYU, ICU and UC campuses
Australia: University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW
This diversity reflects HIS’s commitment to helping students find the right fit, not just the most familiar path.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond HIS
The goal of university counseling at HIS is to help each student grow into a confident, reflective, and resilient young adult who is ready to contribute to their community and the world. By aligning the process with PEACE, we ensure that student agency, wellbeing, purpose, and character remain at the center of this important transition.
