2009 Educators’ Study Tour to Japan
For Middle and High School Educators & School Administrators

June 28–July 18, 2009

Information and Application Form (PDF)

The Educators’ Study Tour to Japan offers educators the opportunity to travel to Japan for three weeks to experience Japan first hand and bring their experiences back to the classroom. The program is open to middle and high school educators, librarians and school administrators, and includes a study tour to Japan in June–July, and orientation during the spring prior to departure for the cost of $500.

Eight to 10 full-time classroom teachers and librarians who teach about Japan as an area of instruction as well as school administrators will be selected for the program through a competitive process. Priority will be given to interdisciplinary teams of two educators from the same school. Of key importance in the application process is the clear demonstration of a firm commitment by the participants and their school administration to foster and sustain education on Japan in their school.

A detailed statement of the school’s plans for utilizing this in-depth training on Japanese society is a crucial part of the application. Individuals are also encouraged to apply, especially if his/her school currently has classes on Japan. The program is open to all public, private or parochial middle and high school educators in the tri-state area (New Jersey, Connecticut and New York).

Highlights
The study tour will acquaint the participants with Japanese society through a wide range of site visits in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. A homestay with a family and school visits are significant parts of the program. The tour focuses on K–12 school visits to help participants have a better understanding of Japan’s education system by meeting their counterparts in Japanese schools. In addition, educators have the opportunity to meet an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima, who will talk about his/her personal experiences.

Preparation & Orientation
A multi-part orientation during the spring consisting of: an introductory meeting and dinner; five days of intensive academic training; four days of language training; and a final one-day discussion session about travel arrangements. Academic training will include extensive readings on Japanese society and culture; language classes will be introductory.

Participants are required to attend all orientation sessions and post trip sessions at Japan Society and submit a written teaching unit based on their experiences in Japan.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have the following qualifications:
• Full time classroom educator, librarian or school administrator (principal or assistant principal only)
• Teach about Japan
• Experience in interdisciplinary teaching preferred
• Commitment to prepare for and attend all 11 pre-departure orientation meetings and two post-trip sessions during the following school years
• School-wide commitment to further promote education on Japan.
• Continue teaching or serve as a school administrator
• for 10 years
• Continue teaching or serve as a school administrator at the current school for at least the next two years
• Proven ability to work cooperatively as a team member
• Ability to be open-minded and adjust quickly to unfamiliar situations
• No previous experience in Japan
• Excellent health and an ability to sustain a rigorous daily schedule in hot and humid weather

Costs
The program fee for the orientation and tour is $500. Participants will be responsible for their own travel insurance, the cost of any meals not taken with the group, personal shopping and incidental expenses.

Japan Society will provide:

• Materials for the orientation
• Round trip economy airfare between New York and Japan
• All in-country travel expenses
• Hotel expenses--all hotel accommodations are double-occupancy rooms
• All meals, with the exception of a few lunches
• A one-year membership in Japan Society

Important Dates
Application deadline:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Interviews: February 11–27
Introductory meeting & dinner:
Friday, March 13, 5–8 pm
Five-weekend orientation on Japanese history:
Sunday, March 15, 9 am–4 pm
Sunday, March 22, 9 am–4 pm
Sunday, April 5, 9 am–4 pm
Sunday, April 26, 9 am–4 pm
Sunday, May 31, 18, 9 am–4 pm
Pre-departure orientation:
Sunday, June 7, 10 am–4 pm
Two-weekend introductory Japanese language classes:
Saturday, June 13, 11 am–4:30 pm
Sunday, June 14, 11 am–4:30 pm
Saturday, June 20, 11 am–4;30 pm
Sunday, June 21, 11 am–4:30 pm
Tour in Japan:
Sunday, June 28–Saturday, July 18, 2009
Post-departure follow-up:
Wednesday, July 29, 1–4 pm
Deadline for the first draft of the assignment:
Thursday, August 27

Follow-Up
Required Assignment—A Teaching Unit
Each group or individual will submit a teaching unit, created at a follow up workshop on Thursday, July 29, to be held at Japan Society. The purpose of creating teaching units is three-fold: 1) for the participants of the program to focus on one or a few important area(s) of study about Japan that only such an intensive program such as the Educators’ Study Tour can afford; 2) to refine and present a coherent teaching unit consisting of substantial research, photos, maps and other illustrative materials; 3) to offer the teaching units to educators via Japan Society’s website.

The deadline to submit the first draft of the assignments is August 27, 2009. Assignments will be returned for corrections and must resubmitted by mid-September after all corrections are made. Japan Society retains the right to make the final decision as to which units will be placed on its website as well as to edit the lesson plans.

Application
A complete application includes: 1) an essay (maximum two pages) explaining in detail how the applicant currently utilizes Japan in the classroom and the specific goals to be achieved through this study tour; 2) application form (included on this document); 3) resume of education, professional experience and community service; and 4) three confidential letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes signed across the back by the recommender).

All application materials, including the three letters of recommendation, should be typed and submitted in one envelope. Japan Society is not responsible for materials sent separately. Applications should include one original and three photocopies, in an 8K μ 11 in. format. No materials will be returned to the applicant.

If you are applying as a team, each applicant must submit all of the above mentioned items. We accept
three letters of recommendation for a team that clearly state qualifications for each applicant and those as a team. Please submit all of the required materials for the team in one envelope.

All application materials should be received by Thursday, January 15, 2009.

Send application materials to:
Kazuko Minamoto
2009 Educators’ Study Tour to Japan
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017

View the 2008 Educators' Study Tour to Japan for Middle and High School Educators
View the 2006 Leadership in Education Study Tour in Japan