Japanese Exchange Program
Japanese Exchange
Participants by Year
Believe it or not,
when the GEO club began, it was not intended to provide exciting monthly
hikes or interesting dining adventures, it was founded in order to start
a Japanese Exchange program at West Covina High School.
1989 was the first year we began the
sister school agreement between Yamanashi Gakuin High School in Kofu,
Japan, and West Covina High School. As
part of that agreement, West Covina accepts the honor of hosting a small
group of Japanese students in the spring, while Yamanashi takes in a
similar number of our students for three weeks during the summer.
This gives students a rare opportunity to journey to a foreign
land, sample customs, experience a different culture, as well as
appreciate firsthand the dynamics of international relations and universal
good will.
Applications
are now being accepted for students wishing to travel to our sister school
in Japan, Yamanashi Gakuin High School.
Their school will coordinate several off-campus activities and
events for the visitors, but the main idea is to allow American students
the opportunity to attend school as if filling the shoes of a Japanese
student. The exchange
students will attend classes, then return home with the host student to
experience life with a "typical" Japanese family.
The three week trip, scheduled in late June/early July, will be
limited to 6-8 students. The
cost of this trip is below $500 for airfare, plus spending money. Lodging and meals will be provided by the Japanese Host
Families. while the American
students are there, Yamanashi Gakuin High School will take them on local
sightseeing trips, a tour of Tokyo (including first-class hotel
accommodations) and possibly even a trip to Tokyo Disneyland.
Their high school covers the expense of these outings.
The
reason for their generosity is simple.
As a private academy, their strong selling point to students is an
active English language program with opportunities to practice
conversation with visiting exchange students.
American students spend numerous hours visiting classrooms and
interacting with the Japanese students.
With every visit, our students have been treated like foreign
dignitaries with introductions to many community leaders, who have
included the governor of the prefecture.
It is for this reason that we need to select a delegation of only
the most serious-minded individuals who will represent our country and
community with pride. Overall,
this is a fantastic opportunity for students, one that should be taken
seriously.
Interested
students are expected to join the GEO Club (Global Exchange Organization)
to aid in the planning of events associated with the Japanese Exchange
Program. Dues are $7 a year.
Students who host Japanese visitors
during the spring will be the first candidates considered when
selecting students to visit Japan in the summer.
Subsequently, selection is NOT based on how early in the year
applications are submitted or how quickly costs for the trip are paid, NOR
is selection based on grade point averages.
Selection is based on year-round participation in the GEO Club,
teacher recommendations, and the traveling advisor's familiarity with the
student's commitment and eagerness to be a part of this cultural exchange.
As the visit to Japan approaches, the
students who are selected and their families will meet as a group to ask
questions and share ideas. In
addition, STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A SERIES OF ORIENTATION
MEETINGS to prepare them for Japan and the trip in general.
It is most important that students and parents become involved in
our program from the outset to achieve the best experience for our
students. Following the
trip, the students who go to Japan will be considered "honorary"
GEO members and may be used for promotional materials or activities at the
school.
At
this time we need to know how many students and parents are committed to
participating in this year's summer trip to Japan. We ask that you sign the statement below and return it
as soon as possible so that we may reserve airline tickets before the
airfare for these dates increases in price.
BASIC
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
WHERE:
Yamanashi Gakuin High School in Kofu, Japan
WHEN:
Approximate Dates: June
25 thru July 15 (20 days)
HOW:
Staying and touring with Japanese host families who bear the cost
COST:
Approx. $1000 including airfare, a portion of the advisor airfare,
and spending
cash.
ADVISOR:
Certificated West Covina High Instructor,
Only 6-8 students will be selected.
