1-Locations: Bibai and Tobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
2-Time: May 26th – July 5th, 2025 or July 1st – August 8th, 2025 (6 weeks for each time)
3-Description
This 6-week program offers internships, independent research, volunteer activities, and Japanese language learning in the cities in Hokkaido, Japan. Program participants work as intern of Noriko Foundation and get involved in various works and activities to revitalize the region. The program starts with an orientation week to learn the city with various activities such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, local cuisine, field trips, and communication with residents. From the second week, each participant will start internships related to their academic major. Each participant does internship for 3~4 hours a day from Monday to Friday. The rest of the day can be spent to take language class, do independent research and volunteer activities, participate in online courses from your university, explore the city and its neighbors, and/or experience more cultural activities. Upon completion of the program with submission of required written materials, the participants are eligible to submit his/her idea(s) to revitalize the region, which leads funding for implementation of the idea.
Program includes:
Internship 90 – 120 hrs. (3, 4 hours/day, 15-20hrs/week). Non-paid internship.
Volunteer 24 hrs. ~ (At least 4 hours/week)
Language Course 48 hrs. (2 hours on Mon-Thu. 8hrs/week)
Field Trips 2 days
Cultural Activities 8 hrs. (3~4 activities)
4-Accommodation: Share House owned by the city government or Homestay in the city
5-Eligibility
Undergraduate and graduate students from accredited universities in the USA. Language proficiency vary depending on internships. Minimum GPA is 2.75. The applicant has a passport from the country where doesn’t have to issue another visa to enter Japan.
6-Projects (Internships)
- Teaching English to residents in the community
You will be involved as TA in English classes in public elementary, junior high, and high schools. You will teach English to kids in after-school program in the community center. You will teach English to senior citizens in the community center. Based on the participant’s performance, this internship includes potential direct employment as Assistant Language Teacher of English by the city government with Noriko Foundation’s recommendation. No Japanese proficiency needed. However, it is highly recommended to learn the language before and during the program to be able to communicate with people in the region better. - Booth operation at the local community festival
As one of the team members to operate a booth, you can bring your ideas to sell new products and services. Those products and services can be from your country and culture. The project starts brainstorming with other team members about what products and services would be provided. Marketing, Advertising, Communication, and many other roles will be experienced. Japanese proficiency: JAPN 200 levels completed and Higher - Drawing on the walls in the city
On the approval by the city government, you can draw your ideas of murals on the walls in the city. The project will start with brainstorming while learning the region. While creating the idea, various work experience related to Art in the city will be assigned. Japanese proficiency: Daily conversation (at least JAPN 201) - Short Documentary
You and your team will produce a short documentary movie, presenting the region. You can work with a writer Chizuru Yoshikawa on her story or you can create your own scenario. If selected, your piece will be submitted to a contest hosted by NHK. Japanese proficiency: If some of your teammate can communicate in Japanese and can translate for team members who are non-language learners, those non-language can join. - Graphic Design
You will work at the local graphic design company. Learn the current trend in the industry from a Japanese perspective, meet with business related people through meeting inside and outside of the company. The company may allow you to submit your design ideas for new projects. Japanese proficiency: Daily Conversation. (JAPN 202) Higher level preferred. - Drilling and Environmental Investigation
You will experience both desk and field work. On-site, you will observe drilling, soil investigation, and communication with clients, and experience translation, meeting, and other miscellaneous work inside the office. Geo-Science, Engineering, and Environmental Science majors welcome. Japanese proficiency: Daily Conversation. (JAPN 202) Higher level preferred.
7-Japanese Language Learning
Each course is equivalent to 3-credit courses offered by the universities in USA. The purpose of offering those courses is to help students accomplish better communication with people in the region during their stay. Thus, lots of experiential learning opportunities with authentic written materials and communication with people in the region will be provided as assignments with support by our dedicated instructors. Our online video materials and workbooks will be used as well.
8-Program Fee: $4,040 (6 weeks)
What Included
Accommodation (Share Hause 40 nights), 2 Field Trips (Lunch included), Fees for cultural activities, One Japanese language course (JAPN 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, or 303 can be offered. Textbook expense included), On-site supervision
