ASU Kakehashi Project Application To apply for the Kakehashi Project, you must submit the following by April 25 th, 2014: This signed application form Signed Letter of Understanding (for students) One page, 12 point font, single spaced essay on your motivation for participating in the Kakehashi Project 2 letters of recommendation (at least 1 from the academic community, others may come from the professional community) Proof of U.S. Citizenship (could be copy of valid passport) Copy of a valid passport (or copy of an expedited passport application) Name: Major: Academic Year: Question 1: Have you traveled or studied in Japan before? YES NO If so, for how long? a. 1 week to 2 weeks. b. 2 weeks to 1 month c. 1 month to 6 months d. 6 months to 1 year e. over 1 year For what purpose? Question 2: Do you have any food allergies or religious dietary restrictions? YES NO If so, what? Are you vegan or vegetarian? YES NO Please note that the Kakehashi Project cannot meet any special dietary needs. Question 3: Would you consider yourself an adventurous person who is willing to try new things? YES NO Question 4: Do you work well with others even in stressful or demanding situations? YES NO
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARTICIPANTS KAKEHASHI Project -The Bridge for Tomorrow- (Youth-Exchange Project with North America) Short-term Invitation Program: U.S.to Japan KAKEHASHI Project -The Bridge for Tomorrow- (Youth-Exchange Project with North America) (hereinafter the Program) is a new initiative, which provides for a fully funded 10-day study tour to Japan. The Program is carried out by the implementing Partner and its subcontractors. The purpose of the program is to encourage greater understanding between the youth of Japan and the United States and to foster long-term and ongoing interest in one another by providing firsthand experiences with the culture of the other. This Program of travel in Japan includes a school visit). Please note this information is subject to change. Exact itinerary to be determined. 1. The Program Includes: (Roundtrip air transportation to and from the nearest major commercial airport and Japan.) Participants will depart from designated commercial airports and arrive at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Return flights will depart from Narita International Airport and return to the original designated airport. Surface travel to and from the international airports and accommodations in Japan. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as per tour itinerary All train and bus travel expenses as per tour itinerary. All entrance fees to special attractions as per tour itinerary. Orientation session upon arrival in Japan. Travel insurance subsidy. Study tours and site visit/study tour. Visits to a Japanese school. A bilingual guide to accompany the group throughout this experience 2. The Program Does Not Include: Surface travel expenses to and from the commercial airport in the U.S. Non-lodging costs incurred at hotels or other lodging (movie and internet rental, room service, laundry, telephone calls, etc.) Excess baggage or overweight baggage fees. Passport (and visa if necessary) fees. Certain food costs including snack and drink costs during the study tour. (Japanese meals may be smaller in portion than U.S. meals. Those with heartier appetites may require more frequent snacking.) All personal expenses, such as long distance telephone calls at the host site, postage to mail packages back to the U.S., are each participant s responsibility. Access to personal email accounts or the internet in Japan. Participants may use internet cafes at their own expense. Personal purchases (gifts, souvenirs, etc). Expenses will vary depending on the spending habits and budget of each participant.
Note: With the exception of personal purchases, participants will need approximately $20-30 per day to cover the expenses noted above. Credit cards can be used to purchase items at department stores; cash is the only accepted method of payment at most small and medium-sized shops. The use of credit or debit cards to withdraw funds in Japanese yen is convenient in Tokyo, but will be time-consuming and inconvenient in other cities where it is best to use traveler s checks or U.S. dollars to purchase Japanese yen. 3. Special Requests: It is not possible for the Program to honour special requests such as single hotel rooms or dietary needs. The Program study tour participants will adhere to rooming assignments made by the Program and are encouraged to experience Japanese culture and cuisine during the study tour. 4. Role of the Participant: The Program study tour is a cultural study program. Participants should expect to spend a lot of time before, during, and after the tour on study-related activities. This includes preparing for the trip, completing entry sheets and evaluations, attending meetings, and participating in discussions as scheduled. All participants are expected to participate in all activities during the Program, including those arranged by their host schools and families. Participants are also expected to behave according to directions given by the implementing partner, their staff, their chaperones, and the faculty and administration of the host schools. Participants are expected to show consideration to other participants. Specifically, participants are expected to observe the rules listed on the following page. Participants are also expected to provide their lead chaperone with a summary of their comments and impression. Rules Participants must follow the instructions of their group s leaders (Japanese guides and chaperones), and the group must travel together. Participants must always be accompanied by their chaperone(s) unless given permission by said chaperone(s). All Japanese laws must be obeyed while in Japan. All participants must follow the instructions of group s leaders (Japanese guides and chaperones) during the Study Tour. Since each group will be traveling according to its own itinerary, it is necessary that the chaperones to check in with guides at the beginning of each Study Day. All participants must take part in activities that are scheduled for the whole program, including activities and classes provided by the host school and families. No private itineraries outside the approved schedule are allowed during the study tour. The Program s Study Tour is first and foremost an educational experience and, as such, only participants, chaperones, and Administrator-approved guides are allowed to participate. Non-participant relatives and friends of participants are not allowed to accompany or shadow the Program. Participants must be punctual for all activities. While in Japan, participants serve as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. They must, therefore, behave with courtesy in all public locations, including places of lodging, and wear clothing that is modest and neat. Respectful conduct is especially important at the disaster area, temples and shrines, memorials, and places of quiet contemplation. Participants may choose to bring personal stereos for the plane ride to and from Japan. However, once you deplane, these items should be packed away for the duration of the study tour. Visiting a new country is an experience in observing, listening, being aware, and being sensitive to everything around you. Personal
stereos, earphones and other such gear isolate participants from their surroundings and hinder the purpose of this program. If personal stereos prove to be a distraction while in Japan, they will be confiscated for the duration and returned to the participant at the end of the Program. Likewise, use of skateboards, scooters, roller blades, etc. by participants is prohibited at all times. Foul, demeaning, and rude language and behavior is not acceptable. Participants should be more polite than they might ordinarily be and take more time to listen. Participants must abide by and adhere to the Japanese host schools rules. Most Japanese schools require that students, including visitors, remove jewelry, hats, baseball caps, and make-up when in the school. Chewing gum in the school is also not permitted. Dyed hair (unnatural colors such as green, pink, purple, etc.), tattoos and body piercings are not viewed favorably by Japanese schools. Students with tongue or facial piercings should be prepared to remove such jewelry while on school premises. Tattoos need to be covered especially while during the homestay/host school portion. The Program participants should observe these rules to show respect for Japanese cultural norms. The behavior of the participant is the responsibility of each individual. When disciplinary action is required, it is the responsibility of the participant s chaperone(s) to give the appropriate directions. If a participant does not exhibit suitable behavior, or does not follow the directions of her/his group representatives or of guides, the participant will be sent home immediately at her/his expense. By signing below, you agree to follow all rules set forth by the Laurasian Institution, on behalf of the Kakehashi Project, and all Arizona State University rules for the duration of this program (including post-program responsibilities). Signature: Date:
KAKEHASHI Project: Bridge for Tomorrow LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING (For Students) In consideration of my acceptance and participation in the KAKEHASHI Project: Bridge for Tomorrow (hereafter referred to as the KAKEHASHI Project), I, agree and consent to the following: I have read and fully understand the document entitled Important Notice for Participants, paying special attention to the sections on expenses that are not covered by the KAKEHASHI Project: (Section 2) and Rules for Participant Behavior (Section 6). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission, the Japan Foundation, The Laurasian Institution, the Japan International Cooperation Center and associated subcontractors (hereinafter referred to as the administrators) will not be held liable for any of the actions or negligence of any third parties including, but not limited to: commercial airlines, hotels, and restaurants. The administrators, the host school and host families (for high school and junior high school participants only) are not and will not be held liable for any injuries to me or my possessions. Any and all debts incurred by me during this program including, but not limited to: medical, dental, hospital bills (over and above the provided traveler insurance coverage), replacing a lost passport, and personal expenses (e.g. long distance calls) incurred during the homestay are my own responsibility and will not be paid by the administrators. The administrators reserve the right to change or alter travel, lodging, or other arrangements without notice or reason. The administrators may remove me from the program at any time for reasons staff deems sufficient including, but not limited to, my health, attitude, or behavior. Expenses incurred for such removal are my responsibility and must be paid by me immediately upon demand. I am fully responsible for costs associated with last-minute cancellations or changes, initiated by me, due to any reason other than a medical or personal emergency approved by the Japan Foundation. I am of sound physical and mental condition and have no medical problems or disabilities that have not been set forth in writing attached hereto or which would make participation in this program inadvisable. I will submit a doctor s note giving official permission to travel to Japan if I have any medical concerns or disabilities. Furthermore, I understand that extensive walking and stair climbing are part of everyday Japanese life and culture, and I am physically and mentally prepared for EXTENSIVE WALKING AND STAIR CLIMBING during the KAKEHASHI Project. All costs that are not explicitly included in the program are my own responsibility. Photos taken of me during the course of the tour may be uploaded to the KAKEHASHI Project website and used in promotional materials. Due to scheduling difficulties beyond the KAKEHASHI Project s control, host families for homestay (for high school and junior high school participants only) may not be confirmed until days prior to my departure for Japan. The KAKEHASHI Project will make every effort to encourage host families to submit their information in a timely manner but I understand that the information may not be available until days before departure.
I understand that family members who are not participants in the KAKEHASHI Project are not allowed to accompany me or my group. I will abide by and adhere to Japanese laws. I will abide by and adhere to the Japanese host school s rules including the below: Japanese schools typically require that students, including visitors, remove jewelry, hats, baseball caps, and make-up when in the school. Chewing gum in the school is also not permitted. Dyed hair (unnatural colors such as green, pink, purple, etc.), tattoos and body piercings are not viewed favorably by Japanese schools. Students with tongue or facial piercings should be prepared to remove such jewelry while on school premises. Tattoos need to be covered especially while during the homestay (for high school and junior high school participants only) /host school period. I will follow the instruction of the KAKEHASHI Project staff and chaperones. I will serve as cultural ambassadors for the United States of America. I, therefore, will behave with courtesy in all public locations, including places of lodging, and wear clothing that is modest and neat. I will always respect Japanese culture while in Japan. The administrators may disclose participant and group/school information to the KAKEHASHI Project evaluators, host schools, and host cites to facilitate matching students with host families (for high school and junior high school participants only) and host schools. In addition, participant and group/school information may be included in final program reports and for possible use in public relations materials. I understand that participation in the KAKEHASHI Project means that I will host a Japanese student or facilitate the hosting of Japanese students for 4 days/3 nights in the near future. University/college groups are not requested to arrange a homestay. As a condition of participation in this program, I will share my experiences on the program after returning the U.S. by filling out a questionnaire. The administrators will contact me for periodic follow-up surveys including 2 months and 1 year after the end of the program. These entities may also contact me to share announcements about nearby programs on Japan or invite me to Japan-related events. I will provide a copy of my valid passport or a copy of my expedited passport application to the organizing chaperone by the deadline set for my specific program. I, the participant, have read the foregoing and consent and agree to its contents. Signature of Participant Date Participants under 21 years of age must have the following statement signed in addition to the above. I, the parent or legal guardian of the above named participant, have read the foregoing and consent and agree to its contents. I certify that by signing this agreement I have granted permission to the above named individual to participate in this program. I understand and agree to pay immediately on demand any and all debts incurred by the above named individual while participating in this program. Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date Submit all materials to: Miko Foard, Senior Lecturer, School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona State University, PO Box 870202 Tempe, AZ 85287-0202