2013 JET-MIP for U.S. High School Students

The JET Memorial Invitation Program (JET-MIP) will provide 32 high school students with the opportunity to visit Japan for two weeks, with a focus on the Tohoku region, to participate in exchanges with Japanese students, see the current condition of recovery in the region, and to act as symbolic bridges to enhance the goodwill between Japan and the United States.

They will also participate in Japanese language courses and activities at the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute Kansai. Participants will also be able to experience life in Japan first hand during a weekend homestay. This program will provide an enriching experience to those who have been studying Japanese and seek to apply what they have learned.

On March 11, 2011, two Americans participating in the JET Programme as assistant English language teachers lost their lives during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Taylor Anderson, who was in Ishinomaki City and Montgomery Dickson, who was in Rikuzentakada City will be forever remembered as cultural ambassadors representing the U.S. They had a positive influence on the people and communities they served and JET-MIP was created immediately following the 2011 disaster to commemorate their work.

Photo Slideshow From The 2012 Trip

Purpose

This program has the following three goals:

Encourage American high school students to continue studying Japanese
Encourage youth exchanges such as the JET program as an option for the future
Create a network within participants of this program as well as individual networks between participants and people they meet in Japan (Bridge Building)

Eligibility

Must be U.S. Citizens
Must be currently learning Japanese as a foreign language and have at least two years of Japanese at the high school level
- Students whose high school does not offer Japanese-language course and are currently taking Japanese classes at an accredited educational institution (such as at a community college) may still apply to the program. However they must be endorsed by his/her Japanese teacher.
Must be in 11th or 12th grade during the 2012/2013 school year
Intends to continue Japanese language education in the future
Have not visited Japan for more than seven consecutive days in the past three years
Must participate in the entire itinerary including the pre-departure orientation and wrap-up meeting in Los Angeles (No deviations before, during, or after the trip, and non-participants cannot accompany you during the trip)
Be in good physical and mental health
Must have the consent of a parent or guardian
Must not have plans to attend any other program to study in Japan from April, 2013 to March, 2014
Must be a member of the Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) or have the following equivalent GPA (Japanese: 3.5 or higher and Overall: 3.0 or higher)
Must take the 2013 National Japanese Exam (Level 3 or 2) offered by AATJ
Must be able to participate in an online Skype interview if you make it past preliminary selection
Must submit a written report after the trip

Note: This is a competitive program and we will evaluate applicants based on all criteria listed above.

Tentative Itinerary

July 6th to July 24th, 2013

Participants will assemble in Los Angeles for the pre-departure orientation, then fly to Osaka for a brief stay at the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute Kansai. They will travel to the Tohoku region to participate in exchanges with students in the cities of Rikuzentakata, Sendai, and Ishinomaki (Itinerary is subject to change). Afterwards, they will return to Osaka and participate in classes, and a homestay. Finally, they will return to Los Angeles for a wrap-up meeting and then return home. Click here to see the 2012 Itinerary.

Cost

If selected, the Japan Foundation will pay for your accommodation, airfare, food, and admission fees in Japan and during the orientation in Los Angeles. Participants are responsible for covering the following expenses:

Transportation from home to nearest airport
Excess baggage charges on all flights
Any baggage fees for domestic flight from nearest airport to Los Angeles and vice versa
Application fees for passport, visa, etc.
Expenses for taking medical checkup (physical) for submitting “Certificate of Health” form including cost for doing blood type check
Other expenses not mentioned above including personal items, souvenirs, etc.

Application Procedures

Japanese language teacher must select ONE applicant per school for this program
Japanese language teacher must register applicant for the 2013 National Japanese Exam (Deadline 2/8/2013 at 5PM Eastern Time)
Japanese language teacher must give the 2013 NJE Exam, organized by AATJ, to Applicant (from 3/1/2013 to 4/10/2013)
Applicant, parent/legal guardian, and teacher must complete the three part application packet
Japanese language teacher must submit Application with NJE results and school transcript (unofficial OK) to JFLA by MAIL, NO FAX/EMAIL (Deadline 4/17/2013)

Note: If the Japanese language teacher is not a member of AATJ, please Click Here to learn about the benefits of joining. We will not accept applications submitted by students, parents, or family members.

Application Materials

Application Period Is Now Over

Important Dates

December 3, 2012: Application for JET-MIP and NJE are Available
February 8, 2013: NJE application ends at 5PM Eastern Time
March 1, 2013: NJE Examinations Begin
April 10, 2013: NJE Examinations End
April 17, 2013: JET-MIP Applications Must Arrive at JFLA by MAIL
End of April, 2013: Preliminary Selection Will Be Made, Teachers Will Be Notified
Beginning of May, 2013: Online Interview
End of May, 2013: Final Selection Will Be Made, Teacher Will Be Notified
July 6, 2013: Fly to Los Angeles (Program Starts)

Past Participants

2012 JET-MIP (Year 2)

2011 JET-MIP (Year 1)

Contact

ATTN: 2013 JET-MIP Coordinator
5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036

P: 323-761-7510x109/105
E: jet_mip@jflalc.org