Apply for an all-expense paid summer internship in Japan!
February 05, 2018
Apply to the all-expense paid Kanagawa summer internship program in Japan.
Purpose: To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Kanagawa Prefectural Private Secondary Schools Association, Kanagawa Prefecture and its sister state of Maryland are inviting undergraduate students from UMCP and UMBC to serve as interns and participate in cultural exchange activities with secondary school students in Japan this summer.
Program highlights:
- Participate in classes and special activities as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
- Serve as a judge for a Parliamentary Debate in English (list of possible topics that might be addressed can be found here)
- Experience Japanese culture, including two homestays
Number of interns sought: 10
Applicant qualifications:
- Undergraduate student from a state of Maryland institution (UMCP or UMBC)
- Interest in Japanese culture and an understanding of foreign cultures, with the flexibility and ability to help and cooperate with others, as well as a well-rounded personality
- At least one semester of Japanese language study
- Priority given to those who have never been to Japan
Program dates: June 7, 2018 ~ June 25, 2018
Covered expenses: Round-trip airfare to Japan, domestic transportation in Japan, all lodging, and meals. A small stipend will also be provided for incidental expenses.
Application deadline: February 9, 2018
Application procedure:
- Complete the attached application form along with a typed, double-spaced essay of no more than 300 words in English indicating why you are applying to the program and what you hope to accomplish through the experience, as well as what you can contribute to Japanese students’ English learning.
- If you are asked to participate in an interview, these will likely be conducted on your campus between February 12-20, so please be sure to indicate your availability on the application form.
- Final decisions will be released after February 26.
Draft itinerary (dates/details subject to change):
June 7 (Thurs): Depart US for Japan
June 8 (Fri): Arrive in Japan at Narita or Haneda airport
Stay at JICA Yokohama International Center
June 9 (Sat): Breakfast at JICA cafeteria
Sightseeing at JICA Museum
Depart for homestay family in the afternoon
June 10 (Sun): Spend the day with host family
June 11 (Mon)
through
June 15 (Fri): Intern at local schools
June 15 (Fri): Move to Yūgyōji Temple
Temple activity experience and overnight stay
June 16 (Sat): Morning activities at Yūgyōji
Afternoon: Move to new homestay family
June 17 (Sun): Spend the day with host family
June 18 (Mon)
through
June 22 (Fri): Intern at local schools
June 23 (Sat): Parliamentary Debate at Kanagawa Shigaku Kaikan
June 24 (Sun): Japanese cultural exploration: Kamakura
June 25 (Mon): Departure from Narita or Haneda airport for US
(Arrive US same day)
Possible debate "motions" (topics provided by Kanagawa to participating students in Japan):
1. Priority seats in trains should be abolished.
2. Genetically modified organisms bring more benefits than harm.
3. Japan should have nuclear weapons.
4. Japan should raise its consumption tax rate.
5. We should use slightly exaggerated tsunami warnings on television.
6. Having casinos in Japan does more good and harm.
7. Students should do a part-time job.
8. Online shopping is better than going shopping.
9. Assassination of dictators should be justified.
10. Economic growth should be given priority over environmental protection.
11. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend is a waste of time for high school students.
12. Japan should accept more foreign workers.
13. We should make it mandatory for elderly citizens to return their driver's license.
14. The declining birth rate is not a bad thing.
15. We should legalize polygamy.