1/27/12 DISCLAIMER FROM JCCCNC:
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2012 NIKKEI CULTURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Applications available now!

Due: Friday, March 9, 2012
Program Dates: Monday, July 2 - Friday, August 4, 2012
The Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program (NYCHP) , in cooperation with the Kobe YMCA Language Program (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan), is designed for participants to gain a better understanding of their cultural heritage and discover Japan in a unique and exciting way.
The JCCCNC teamed with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Up to 5 participants from each Cultural Center will be chosen for the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program in Kobe, Japan.
NYCHP will incorporate a mandatory four day pre-trip tour to Japan. The purpose of the tour is to introduce students to important historical and cultural assets in Japan so they can increase and deepen their knowledge and interest while spending their month stay in Kobe. Highlights of the pre-tour will include Tokyo, Hiroshima's Peace Park and Museum, Miyajima, and Kyoto. The students will also be able to partake in local delicacies and regional sites.
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For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please call (415) 567-5505 or email Ryan Kimura .
2012 Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program sponsored by:

With support from:
Hatsuro and Amey Aizawa
Family Charitable Trust
This program allows participants to:

- Learn about your Japanese culture and heritage
- Explore Japan with new friends from all over the world
- Learn Japanese Language from an accredited university
- Oppotunity to earn college credit (check with your school for details)
- Live with two host families
- Enjoy other cultural classes such as ikebana (flower arranging), shodo (calligraphy) and karate
- Save $ (a portion of tuition costs are subsidized)
This program is open to students at any level of the Japanese language, even those with little or no experience. Applicants must be 18 years of age and older and have completed a minimum of one year of college studies.
For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please call (415) 567-5505 or e-mail Ryan Kimura .
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Important 2012 NYCHP Dates:

Applications due: Friday, March 9, 2012
Interviews: March 22 - 28, 2012(actual date/time TBD)
Deposit/Forms Due: Friday, May 12, 2012
Final Payment Due: Friday, June 1, 2012
(tentative- depends on fluctuation of fuel service charge)
Cultural Workshops: Weekend of June 2, 2012*
Departure for Japan: Monday, July 2, 2012
Arrive in Japan: Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Homestay: Saturday, July 7 - Friday, August 3, 2012
Language Course: Monday, July 9 – Friday, August 3, 2012
Depart Japan: Saturday, August 4, 2012
*contact your preferred Cultural Center for exact dates/times
For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please call (415) 567-5505 or e-mail Ryan Kimura.
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Included in the Program:

2012 Program Cost:
The discounted 2012 NYCH Program cost is $4,000.00* per participant. Other costs not included are reduced rate group airfare, domestic transportation and personal spending. Exact price subject to change due to exchange rate.
*Final cost will be determined in February 2012, but will not be higher than listed
Included in the NYCH Program Fee:
* Pre-trip Cultural Education Workshop at either: JCCCNC, JACCC, JCCCW, or JCCH
* Pre-tour to Tokyo, Hiroshima's Peace Park and Museum, Miyajima and Kyoto (includes four night hotel accommodations)
* One week Japan Rail Pass during pre-tour
* Afternoon Writing Class (one hour class, two days a week)
* Preparatory Workshops at the JCCCNC, JACCC, JCCW or the JCCH prior to your trip to Japan
* Text and class materials
* Hotel stay for two nights (one night before and one night after the program)
* Homestay fee (includes breakfast and dinner daily)
* Volunteer opportunity at Nagata Kodomo Home (orphanage)
* Welcome meeting and Sayonara Party
* Afternoon excursions (two)
* Kyoto guided tour and transportation (does not include lunch)
* Osaka or Nara guided tour and transportation (does not include lunch)
* Traditional cultural art classes (may include ikebana (flower arranging), karate and shodo (calligraphy)
Other costs not included are air travel to/from Japan, domestic transportation in Kobe (personal time and travel to/from your homestay) and personal spending.
Homestay Experience:
To help you get the most out of this program, we have arranged for you to participate in a homestay so you can experience daily Japanese life first-hand and use your new language skills everyday. You will be treated like a member of the family and will be expected to:
* Have breakfast and dinner each day with your host family
* Converse with them daily – sharing your thoughts and interests
* Be respectful at all times
- Communicate any changes in plans with them well in advance
- Most families in Japan are in bed by 10:00-11:00 p.m.
- Help your host family when you can (clean your room, wash dishes, etc.)
Air Travel Arrangements:
Discounted group air travel pricing has been secured through Japan Airlines. All travel arrangements will be made through the JCCCNC early in 2012. Due to fluctuations in fuel service charge, full payment for the air ticket may be required by each participant at an earlier date.
You will also need to provide:
A copy of your valid U. S. Passport and copy of your medical insurance card.
For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please call (415) 567-5505 or e-mail Ryan Kimura .
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Application
Your completed application packet must be received by Friday, March 9, 2012, 5 :00 p.m. at the JCCCNC office.
DOWNLOAD Application Form and Information:
Submit the application along with your letter of recommendation to the JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115-3220 (Attn: Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program) or fax to (415) 567-4222. Faxed applications will be accepted to meet the deadline, but the original documents will be required by March 18, 2012.
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2009 NIKKEI YOUTH CULTURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
The 2009 NYCHP brought three Northern California college students, Kelly Galleguillos, Hillary Nakano, and Jeana Shindo to Japan to spend learning not only Japanese language, but about themselves and their Japanese American culture and traditions.
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JCCCNC Nikkei Youth CULTURAL HERITAGE Scholarship
The Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Scholarship is as an avenue whereby the JCCCNC can help develop future leaders of our community by providing financial aid to participants of the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program. For 2011, four need-based $500.00 scholarships will be awarded to selected participants chosen by applicants applying through the JCCCNC. (for applicants in other cities, please check with your Cultural Center for possible scholarship opportunities)
The funds for the scholarship are raised thru the community by an annual raffle organized by the JCCCNC. Thorugh this effort, recipients not only receive financial aid but also, just as importantly, the encouragement and well wishes from the Japanese American community. By doing so, we hope to bring out the most in their talents and hope they will embrace the opportunity of traveling to Japan to better understand their cultural heritage, in hopes of increasing their involvement in the Japanese American community when they return.
The Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Scholarship was formerly the Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship (NYSS), which partnered with the Ronald McDonald House Charities/Asian Students Increasing Achievement (RMHC/ASIA) to provide scholarships to the community. From 2002-2007, several thousands of dollars were awarded to high school seniors who have either participated in the Shinzen Nikkei Youth Goodwill Program, or their own community sports programs which have given them opportunites to volunteer and be youth leaders in their own organization, helping to create future young leaders in our Japanese American community.
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