AsiaLearn and World Campus-Japan

  Japan

• Tokyo: 
Tokyo
• All Other Areas: 
Hiroshima,  Nagano

Term: Summer 
Dates: Inquire for specific dates.

Description: In partnership with the Japanese non-profit organization, World Campus International, Inc., AsiaLearn offers an opportunity to take part in a unique educational program with participants from around the globe with World CampusJapan.

With this program, you will have a chance to gain international experience as well as increase your personal and professional networks all in the authentic backdrop of Japanese culture, politics, and business. World CampusJapan immerses participants in a variety of Japanese communities, allowing you the opportunity to experience a cross-section of the country rather than only one city. In each location, the program gives you unique access to the Japanese culture and society.

You will interact with people from all walks of life  from business professionals and government officials to school children and disabled citizens. Through small group discussions, field trips, and guest speakers, you will broaden your knowledge and understanding of global issues by sharing your own experiences and perspectives with your fellow class members from around the world.

Interactive activities in local communities will deepen your understanding of Japan and issues shared by all nations. Past programs have had such varied community interactive experiences from attending the public memorial events in Hiroshima featuring the Prime Minister of Japan, to working with disabled citizens in Omura, Nagasaki, to meeting company representatives at Mazda, Toyota, ExxonMobil, and Cannon.

The longer programs also include ongoing Japanese language training for beginners and plenty of practice opportunities for more advanced speakers of the language with both everyday situations and public speaking. You will live in homestay accommodation throughout the program.

From city to city, you will be exposed to a variety of different host families that have a range of values, perceptions, and points of view. This experience offers a fantastic learning opportunity when approached with an open mind, flexible attitude, and excitement to get to know new people.

Highlights: Japanese Language Practice:
There will be regular "Beginner Japanese" language tips and plenty of opportunities for more advanced Japanese speakers to practice and improve their skills including public speaking as well as in everyday life situations.

Communicating with Culture, Art, Music and Multimedia:
World Campus Japan participants will have a chance to show off their unique talents and thank their host communities during our weekly Thank-you Event. Preparing for this fun and impactful event requires teamwork and is a chance to really connect with the community. Participants will be assisted by the World Campus International, Inc. team regarding ideas for what is appropriate to bring, including: instruments, traditional costumes, music, art and multimedia tools which will add uniqueness to other event components planned by our staff.

Host Family Living:
Participants get to experience Japanese communities in a meaningful way through a variety of different host families that have different values, perceptions and points of view. This offers an unforgettable learning opportunity when approached with an open-mind, a willingness to share experiences and culture as well as a fun attitude. In addition to spending evenings with your host family, there will be one day in each community visit fully dedicated to being with your host family.

Community Interaction and Personal Time:
There will be visits arranged in each community that allows participants to better understand the uniqueness of a particular host community from a cultural, political, business view or simply for fun. There will also be time designated in the schedule for participants to balance both social times with host families and downtime to rest up a bit, catch up on laundry, or get out on their own.

Cost in US$: 2,550 USD (3 weeks) or 2,350 USD (2 weeks)

PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE: Accommodation, some meals during the homestay, insurance, transportation during tour, Regional Learning related expenses such as entrance fees or for guides, access to all planned community partner resources such as facilities, speakers, special guests, as well as activities with businesses, politicians and organizations.

These fees apply to the Summer 2010 (3 and 2 week) programs and are subject to change for future terms.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Japan in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15-30

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

AsiaLearn's Mission Statement: AsiaLearn provides college/university students with study abroad opportunities in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Our mission at AsiaLearn is to foster the education and development of future leaders through quality academic programs which focus on expanding awareness, understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures and practices while emphasizing the interdependent relationships which exists between countries.

Year Founded: 2007