CIEE Gap Year Program in Tokyo, Japan

  Japan

• Tokyo: 
Tokyo

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months

Description: CIEE offers US high school graduates a unique way to explore the world. A Gap Year Abroad with CIEE offers college-bound graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, foster independence and gain self-knowledge. Students seeking to stretch intellectually, explore new vistas, develop leadership and become responsible global citizens are ideal candidates for a CIEE Gap Year.

Spending a year or a semester living with a family abroad, studying and improving fluency in a modern language and volunteering in the community or working as an English teacher will allow students to immerse themselves in every aspect of the host culture and give their academic goals perspective and purpose. Day and weekend trips and other cultural excursions will provide an important dimension to understanding historical and social aspects of the country.

A Gap Year Abroad opens doors to the student's future, bridging the high school world to the road that lies ahead. The benefits of a Gap Year will enable students to enhance their global education and uniquely prepare them for their college experience.

Highlights: The Inter-Cultural Institute of Japan arranges various cultural events, such as overnight trips to hot springs resorts, a speech contest and participation in the annual New Year's "Kagamibiraki" (mochi decoration). Students have the opportunity to complement their studies with engaging cultural events through the Inter-Cultural Institute of Japan. The Institute organizes opportunities for Gap students to meet Japanese people and to learn about contemporary Japan. These "interaction meetings" are held twice a month and allow students and Japanese volunteers to hold tea-time discussions. Cooking parties are also arranged on a regular basis, where GAP students may participate in the preparation of Japanese dishes. Exchanges among Japanese elementary schools, junior and senior high schools and members of the local community are part of the GAP experience, and several times a month the Japanese host families take students to places of historical or cultural significance within their region.

Host Families, Language Classes and Community Service

Host Families
The homestay is considered a vital component to the Gap Year program in Tokyo. Homestays provide students with an unparalleled opportunity for language acquisition, cultural immersion and local community involvement. The Gap Year program adheres to a high standard of cultural immersion and expects students to respect and engage with the host family, affectively and intellectually.

Language Studies
GAP students study at the Inter-Cultural Institute, enrolling in 20 hours/wk of Japanese language classes over a three month period. Lessons are taught with special emphasis on the four basic skills. Elementary, intermediate and advanced levels of Japanese are offered. Students with no prior Japanese language study may enroll in the program. Class sizes are typically small and well structured to suit the students' needs.

Community Service
GAP students volunteer at a local public Japanese elementary school, teaching English to children and serving as a teacher's assistant. The volunteer commitment ranges from four to six hours per week. Students are assigned their volunteer placements upon arrival in Japan. The volunteer opportunity is intended to provide students with a hands-on teaching experience within the Japanese educational system.

Cost in US$: Fall 2007: $11,950; Spring 2008: $11,950

This Program is open to American Participants.

CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

Year Founded: 1947