Academic Year in Japan, public (Information Sheet)

CONTENTS :
               

DESCRIPTION ............................................................. .2 LOCATION ................................................................. .2 SCHOOL SYSTEM ......................................................... .2 TYPE OF SCHOOL ......................................................... .3 ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP AT THE AIRPORT ............................. .4 ORIENTATION MEETING ................................................ .4 LOCAL COORDINATOR ................................................... .4 AGE ......................................................................... .4 POCKET MONEY ........................................................... .4 APPLICATION PROCEDURE ............................................... .5 REQUIREMENTS........................................................... .5 VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT ......................................... .5 TRANSFERS OF CREDITS AND TRANSCRIPTS OF GRADES ..........5 PRICES...................................................................... .6 PRICE CONDITIONS ...................................................... .6 CANCELLATION POLICY.................................................. .6

Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

Academic Year in Japan, public schools

General information on High School programs: The purpose of the High School Program is to provide opportunities for people of diverse cultures to come together to learn about different points of view and ways of life. Cross-cultural understanding is a fundamental step in promoting better friendship and world peace. Students also gain maturity, self confidence and develop intercultural skills. As it is a selective program, we expect the highest standards of behaviour from participants at all times and, in turn, assume responsibility for the welfare and safety of the student throughout the program. The student must be committed to comply with all reasonable rules of the host family, local coordinator and school during his/her stay abroad. This way, he/she will benefit from his/her successful integration in the local community and make lifelong friends and one in a lifetime experience! TRANSFER OF CREDITS AND TRANSCRIPTS OF GRADES Please note that the student is not guaranteed: - a placement in a certain grade level; - that transferable credits will be granted; - that a diploma will be awarded at the end of the academic program. These decisions remain at the entire discretion of the national educational authorities of the sending and of the receiving country. Nacel International is not responsible for the procedures and information needed in this process. Applicants must be aware that they may have to repeat again the corresponding grade in their home country after return. They must be clearly informed before departure about the opportunities they have to get their grades and school year abroad recognized in the school curriculum of their home country. They must also be clearly informed about the procedures involved. Our local representatives are in charge of this information.

DESCRIPTION
The land of the rising sun will charm students with the diversity of its culture and its ancestral traditions! International students will be hosted by a volunteer Japanese host family and will attend classes in the local high school. Teachers will assist students in their integration process because they are aware that international students contribute to the development of the cultural life of their school. Education has been and is still an important issue in the Japanese society: high schools expect international students to maintain high academic standards and to participate actively in the school life. Students will also participate in a local language club with Japanese families of the neighbourhood (regular meetings to be expected).

LOCATION
Throughout the country. Students will be placed in any region of Japan according to availability, and no student can request a specific geographic area or environment.

SCHOOL SYSTEM
The Japanese educational system can be outlined as follows: 6 years in primary school, 3 years in junior high school, 3 years in senior high school and 4 years at University. The school year starts in April and finishes in March. It is divided into three terms: April to July, September to December, January to March. There are vacations at the end of each term. Education has been and is an important issue in Japanese society.

Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

Academic Year in Japan, public schools

There are three ways that a child is educated in Japan: by attending a public school for a compulsory education, by attending a private school for a compulsory education, or by attending a private school that does not adhere to standards set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The high school is called "Kotogakko", and 94% of students who have successfully passed the previous period called "Chugakko", keep on studying through to higher education. Class subjects are designed to last through three years and are full-time. They can be extended over four years and be part-time or include night classes. There are two kinds of program: - The general program (Language, Mathematics, etc...) - The professional program (Industry, Trade, etc...) Students will be allocated a class which he/she will attend for the whole year. Sometimes students might be asked to give a talk about their country. Although students won't graduate from the school they will be studying at, they will be given a certificate and school result sheet which will certify their attendance and participation.

DATES FOR THE PROGRAMS

Participants will join a class from September to March, then after the vacation, will start the new academic year with another class with which they will stay until the end of their visit at the end of July. August 22 2011 to July 24 2012 Schools start on September 1st or October 1st end around July 20th Only a year program applicant is acceptable (half year or shorter is not acceptable)
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TYPE OF SCHOOL
Public. Schools in Japan can be either private or public, most are co-educational. Nowadays, in Japan, 90% of students study higher education and 30% of them will go on to University. We look for schools without fees that will take exchange students out of good will. Teachers will assist international students in their integration process because they are aware that students can contribute to the development of the cultural life of the school. Students should not hesitate to speak to the teachers. They will have to attend all classes and respect the rules of the school. Some schools have very strict rules governing student life whether at school or out of it. The Japanese are very proud of these regulations which define their culture. Students will have to wear school uniform. Some Japanese schools can be very strict on this point, which international students may find strange, but it will enrich their experience. Japanese high schools believe the presence of exchange students enhances the learning environment. Therefore, a student who is dismissed from school due to problems with attendance, attitude, discipline or failing grades will be terminated from the High School Program and returned home immediately. No guarantee is made to the student with regard to participation in interscholastic sports. Eligibility is at the discretion of each high school and/or regional/state high school athletic association. Depending upon local regulations, if a student has graduated from high school in their home country or has completed a certain number of years of high school, he/she may be ineligible for interscholastic sports. Students who try out for high school sports teams are not guaranteed a place on the team. Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

Academic Year in Japan, public schools

ACCOMMODATION
Host families will provide the student with full board on weekends, half board on weekdays. Our families are chosen with great care by our local representatives and are volunteer families. They are very proud to share their culture and daily life, and generally speaking are able to speak a little English. Students will be part of the same family for the entire length of their stay (except if a change is needed). To live with a generous open-minded family is a great adventure for the student, who will normally keep in touch with all the Japanese people they meet. This is an unbelievable way to discover the Japanese culture and enjoy it. No guarantee is made with regard to placement in a particular region of the Japan, nor in a town of a certain size, nor with a particular kind of host family (for example, with a teenager in the home). A private bedroom is not guaranteed. Only a separate bed is guaranteed.

ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP AT THE AIRPORT

Transfer from Tokyo airport to the host family.

ORIENTATION MEETING
An orientation day is organized on arrival. Host families and international students talk about how important is the communication between host family and student etc...When the students arrive in Tokyo, they stay in a host family for 4-5 days and attend the orientation day. If they are placed far away from Tokyo (Osaka, Nagoya), they will live in another host family in Tokyo for some days.

LOCAL COORDINATOR
Support of the local Nacel representatives coordinator who supervises the student (visit one a month). At the end of each month, the student is required to turn in the report called Monthly Report to our representatives office to see how things are going regarding homestay life, school life, and other activities. This report will be shared with the other exchange students, so the students can learn from each others problems and experiences, and support each other. Students will also participate in a local language club with Japanese families of the neighbourhood (regular meetings to be expected). Attendance is mandatory and highly appreciated by parents and representatives.

AGE
From 15 to 18 years old on arrival (students should not turn 19 during the stay). Birthdates accepted: Apr.2nd, 1993-Apr.1st, 1996

POCKET MONEY
Prices in Japan are high. Almost everything in Japan costs more than the participants are used to pay. Clothes, movies, food, and transportation cost more. Please remember the student that the host family is volunteer and students should not abuse this good will. Water is expensive in Japan so should try to take short showers. Fruit is very expensive so if students really want an apple they should buy it themselves and be prepared to pay 150 for it. Milk is also outrageously expensive so if students drink a lot of milk they should buy it themselves. The host family will provide the student with breakfast and dinner, but students would buy or prepare their own lunch. There are ways to do this inexpensively, like preparing their own obento (lunch box). Regarding expenses in Japan, we recommend the student to bring USD500 for the first month in Japan, and receive about USD300 per month to pay monthly for lunch, transportation, etc. Depending on the school, students may need to prepare extra USD500 for the school uniform and other school goods like gym wear, shoes etc. Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

Academic Year in Japan, public schools

The student is responsible for his/her own transportation fees and also for all miscellaneous school fees.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 10 for arrival next August. Please send student information (Name, Gender, Nationality, Birth date, Age, What grade in High School, Graduation date) as soon as possible.

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REQUIREMENTS
Students must be interviewed in their home country before being accepted. A minimum of 2 years of Japanese study and good academic results are required. The language skills must be sufficient to communicate in a school environment as well as in the family life. Other requirements: - an above average academic record - the maturity and responsibility to live away from home - interest in the Japanese culture and language - a desire to make new friends - an open and flexible attitude towards a new living situation There are no other preliminary conditions for registering in a Japanese school. Nevertheless, it would be useful to have a good level of Japanese. However, teachers are aware of the difficulty of learning their language for a foreign student. Each participant will have to prove adaptable in this civilization, which is so different from any other. Participants will have to show politeness, thorough kindness, interest, curiosity... A strong motivation is essential. This program is very demanding and students should be aware of that before applying.

VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT

A specific visa is needed to study in Japan. Appropriate documents will be provided as soon as the student is officially registered as a foreign student. It is done during the month of July usually.

TRANSFERS OF CREDITS AND TRANSCRIPTS OF GRADES

Please note that the student is not guaranteed: - a placement in a certain grade level; - that transferable credits will be granted; - that a diploma will be awarded at the end of the academic program. These decisions remain at the entire discretion of the national educational authorities of the sending and of the receiving country. Nacel International is not responsible for the procedures and information needed in this process. Applicants must be aware that they may have to pass again the corresponding grade in their home country after return. They must be clearly informed before departure about the opportuniti es they have to get their grades and school year abroad recognized in the school curriculum of their home country. They must also be clearly informed about the procedures involved. Our local representatives are in charge of this information.

Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

Academic Year in Japan, public schools

PRICES
Country Programs Ref. ZJAY1 Net Prices in JPY* (Commission not included) 843 700 JPY

Japan Academic Year * Prices in Japanese Yen per participant.

PRICE CONDITIONS
Included  Administration fees  Host school placement  Host family accommodation with half board on weekdays, full board on weekends  Orientation on arrival and midterm meeting  Airport pick-up and transfer on arrival and departure  Support, assistance and 24 hours emergency phone number during the whole program           Not Included International airfare Travel insurance (luggage lost, flight delay etc.) Visa, passport and medical exam fees Local transport to and from school Books and materials, school and sports uniforms, school excursions Extra activities organized by the school School lunches Extra language courses Personal expenses and pocket money Medical and Emergency Repatriation Insurance

CANCELLATION POLICY
A 1000 USD non refundable deposit should be paid after students acceptance in the program. The remaining fees should be paid at least 2 months before arrival. Host family information is sent only if the full payment is received. There is no refund of program costs beyond this time.

Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org

TESTIMONIALS
"I made a lot of friends, learned the language efficiently and learned about great cultural differences, although the first 4 months if you struggle with the language it can be rather difficult. The program is a good way to integrated with other cultures. I would recommend to anyone who would be interested in taking the challenge. Thank you for having this program and making one my dreams possible. I do not mind to give guidance to anyone else that may want to participate or to Nacel. Marcelo" Marcelo "My name is Angela, I am from Romania and I have participated in the high-school one year program in Japan [when I was 15 years old]. []Learning the language from scratch in Japan made me feel like I was born again. I had the chance to learn again not only a new language, but new feelings, new emotions. I decided that I had to stay for another year in order to fully accomplish my goals there. [] It was more like an experience of learning about people and understanding myself in a different environment. My host family helped me a lot in this process. After going over a few cultural shocks and misunderstandings, soon my host mother became my best friend, the person who would not only teach me about Japan, but about life as well." Angela, Romania

Nacel International Phone. +33 4 78 52 03 85 Fax +33 4 72 83 50 05 http://www.nacel.org Skype: Nacel.inter e-mail : info@nacel.org