Japan Empowerment Program (Summer)

                                                      

• See Japan while giving back to the communities you visit through volunteering
• Empower Japanese high school students and be empowered yourself
• Experience a Host Family halfway across the world and make new bonds
• Discover Japan through the perspective of not just a tourist but also the friends you make along the way and the families who take care of you
• Gain valuable experience in cross-cultural communication and strengthen your foundation as you prepare to enter to look for your next endeavor

How does it work?

Japan Empowerment is a once-in-a-lifetime, volunteer opportunity. Each week summer program participants are sent to various locations throughout Japan to serve as Group Leaders at various high schools and educational institutions. Group Leaders stay with a Japanese host family or in a local hotel. During the week (Monday to Friday), Group Leaders join empowerment programs to help Japanese students develop a better understanding of empowerment and critical thinking while practicing communication in English.

Facilitators guide Group Leaders and Japanese students through daily lessons with activities and discussions exploring different aspects of empowerment. Group Leaders work in small groups with students where they can share viewpoints and perspectives while discovering how students can continue to develop the skills and tools of empowerment in their own lives.

While the curriculum provides an introduction to empowerment themes, and a chance to engage in critical thinking, Group Leaders also have the unique opportunity to inspire Japanese students to pursue their passions, goals, and aspirations through their own experiences and stories.

Program Objectives

• Group Leaders gain hands-on experience in the field of international education and cross-cultural communication. Group Leaders are also given the opportunity to understand work ethics in the Japanese cultural context.
• Group Leaders go on a once in a lifetime experience that will give them a very personal, enriching experience. Group Leaders immerse themselves in Japanese culture, make lifelong friendships, and learn a great deal about themselves.
• Group Leaders are able to understand work ethics in the Japanese cultural context on a deeper level and learn through invaluable experience about the benefits acquired from living outside of your own cultural comfort zone.