jcccnc / programs / youth development / nikkei youth cultural heritage program & scholarship

 2009 NIKKEI CULTURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM 

 

Applications now available for

Summer 2009 Program!

Due:    February 5, 2009

Dates: June 20-21 (workshops - exact dates/times TBD)
          July 23 - August 1, 2009 (Depart for Kobe)

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.

This year, 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 6 participants from each Cultural Center will be chosen for the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program in Kobe, Japan.

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For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please contact Lori Matoba at (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents.

 

2009 Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program sponsored by: 

Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC)  Japanese American Cultural and Comunity Center (JACCC)  Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW)  Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH)

With support from: 

                          Japan Airlines (JAL)

This program allows participants to:

2008 Visit to Nagata Kodomo Home (orphanage)

  • 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 contact Lori Matoba at (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents.

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Important 2009 NYCHP Dates:

2008 Visit to Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

Applications due:                   Thursday, February 5, 2009

Interviews:                            Week of February 15-21, 2009*

Deposit/Forms Due:               Friday, March 6, 2009

Final Payment Due:                Friday, April 17, 2009

(tentative- depends on fluctuation of fuel service charge)

Cultural Workshops:               Weekend of June 20-21*

Departure for Japan:              Thursday, July 2, 2009

Arrive in Japan:                      Friday, July 3, 2009

Homestay:                             Saturday, July 4 – Thursday, July 30, 2009

Language Course:                  Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 31, 2009

Depart Japan:                        Saturday, August 1, 2009

Post-optional trip:                  Saturday, August 1-4, 2009 (dates and cost TBD)

Program Reunion/Debriefing   Weekend of August 22-23*

*contact your preferred Cultural Center for exact dates/times

For more information on the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program, please contact Lori Matoba at (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents.

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Included in the Program:

Kobe Port Night View

2009 Program Cost:

The discounted 2009 NYCH Program cost is $2,060.00 per participant. (similar Kobe YMCA study abroad program was $3,795.00 in 2008)  Other costs not included are reduced rate group airfare, domestic transportation and personal spending.

Included in the NYCH Program Fee:

   * Pre-trip Cultural Education Workshop

   * Summer Intensive Language Course (including text books)

   * Cultural Arts Classes (Shodo/calligraphy, Ikebana, Karate)

   * Inter-cultural Volunteer Exchange to Nagata Kodomo Home

   * Visit to the Hanshin Earthquake Museum

   * Additional Excursions to: Kyoto, Himeji, Sports Game and Exchange Program**

   * Homestay (includes breakfast and dinner daily)

   * Hotel (arrival day and day before departure)

   * Airport Pick-up Service

**additional excursions do not inlcude lunch

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:

A discounted group air travel price of $750.00 roundtrip* has been secured through the generosity of Japan Airlines.(*this does not include fuel service and taxes)   All travel arrangements will be made through the JCCCNC early in 2009. 

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 contact Lori Matoba at (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents.

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Application

Your completed application packet must be received by Thursday, February 5, 2009, 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 February 15, 2009.

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2008 NIKKEI YOUTH CULTURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM

The 2008 NYCHP brought four Northern California college students, Jaime Kozono, Hillary Nakano, Michael Oguro and Christopher Palacios, to Japan to spend learning not only Japanese language, but about themselves and their Japanese American culture and traditions.2008 Visit to Himeji Castle, Kobe

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Program Background

2007 Participant with Host FamilyThe JCCCNC’s relationship with the Kobe YMCA began in 1995 as a result of the Great Hanshin earthquake that destroyed much of Kobe.  The 20 second quake that shook Hyogo Prefecture on January 17, 1995 resulted in the loss of 6,433 lives, 415,000 injuries and over 300,000 people who were left homeless from the homes that were completely or partially destroyed.

JCCCNC’s relief effort started immediately with the establishment of the Kobe/Osaka Earthquake Relief Fund as a grassroots effort for the community to express their support to the quake victims.  The JCCCNC handled thousands of contributions including monetary donations, medial supplies, blankets, clothing and toys for children.  These contributions came from businesses and individuals across the nation.

 

What made the JCCCNC-sponsored Fund so unique was that 100% of every dollar contributed was sent directly to help the people of Kobe and Osaka.  The Kobe YMCA was instrumental in dispersing these goods to those that needed it the most.  The Kobe YMCA will never forget the generosity and support of the JCCCNC and has continued to work cooperatively on international exchange programs like the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program and the Shinzen USA Goodwill Program which bring the people of Northern California together with those in the Kobe area.

About the Kobe YMCA Japanese Language School:

The Kobe YMCA Japanese Language School was established in 1872.  Its goal is to develop strength, knowledge and understanding of the totality of the Japanese language in reading, writing, listening and speaking.  Its curriculum covers a broad range of levels that focuses on personal one-on-one attention that suits every individual’s learning style.  It has small class sizes, with courses lasting as short as one month to two years.

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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 2009, 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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