Education & Exchange Opportunities

It's still the middle of summer, but its a good time for students, families, and educators interested in Japan to start thinking about educational exchange opportunities that will be available in the next year.


WORLD YOUTH SHIP

The U.S has been invited to participate in the Japan-based 20th Ship for World Youth (SWY20) scheduled to start on January 15, 2008, and end on March 5, 2008.
- National Leader applications due August 2, 2007
- Participating Youth applications due August 14, 2007

For more information visit: http://www.swyusa.com/index.html


JAPAN AMERICA STUDENT CONFERENCE

The 59th Japan-America Student Conference will be held in Tokyo, Akita, Hiroshima, and Tokyo from July 26 to August 20. The American Orientation takes place in Naperville, Illinois, July 22 - 25.

The JASC program is an educational and cultural exchange for university students created to deepen the ties between the U.S. and Japan. It is the oldest student-run exchange between Japan and the United States and allows delegates to work together with leaders in business, academia, and government on current social, economic, and political issues.

For more information: http://www.jasc.org/59th/overview.htm
The website should have information about applying for next year’s conference in early fall.


LABO SUMMER EXCHANGE

As a former participant in Labo’s summer homestay program and a year-long intern, I can endorse the Labo exchange as a great opportunity for teenagers to experience life with a Japanese family for one month.

Labo is a Japanese nonprofit organization built around informal English education and international exchange programs. Generally, U.S. exchange has been organized through 4-H clubs. It is also possible to be a host family for a Labo student during the summer.

Exchange overview: http://www.labo-exchange.com/intl_exchange_fdn.html
Summer program: http://www.labo-exchange.com/japansummer.htm


JET & TEACHING EXCHANGE

On July 28, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago will send off approximately 200 new participants of the 21st annual Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. All participants will work in Japan as English teachers and cultural ambassadors on behalf of the United States.
http://www.jetprogramme.org/

The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program, sponsored by the Government of Japan, provides American primary and secondary school teachers and administrators with fully-funded short-term study tours of Japan.
http://www.iie.org/Content/NavigationMenu/FMF1/JFMF/JFMF.htm