Volunteers are expected to work together with local university students to solve the ongoing problems and activities of this village - Actively involved with English village camp and teach for Japanese children- Cultural exchange with students at elementary and junior high school- Visit kindergarten and senior home and do some activities together - Help some agricultural work - Clean the accommodation -Prepare for summer festival -introduce food of your country(Bring a recipe!)English village camp (Several days) International volunteers will spend great amount of time (mostly in the morning) by preparing and initiating this camp. Together with local university students, international volunteer will teach local children (elementary and junior high school) about English. Japanese children only learn English by the books. It is one of their fewer chances to practice it (speak out loud) with non-Japanese people. We would appreciate if international volunteers can take initiatives for this event (because some local university students are not experienced to teach/speak English). If you can prepare children's songs, games, quizzes that would be great as well. The local partner will assign some ESL teacher (TBD) and prepare board and photos and national flags to make an atmosphere international and fun!
Accomodation & food:
Japanese RYOKAN (They no longer use it for business purpose, but keep the facility as a place for visitors)
Facilities:
7 Japanese-style rooms are available for volunteers, washer, kitchen, bathroom with bathtub, restroom (both Japanese and a western style), fans, Free wifi is available, convenience store is 20 minutes by car, supermarket is 10 minutes by carVolunteers take turns and cook breakfast and dinner by themselves. Food items will be provided. Local host mostly prepare lunch by providing BENTO box. Sometimes volunteers take turn to make lunch. There is a big BBQ event 1 night too.
Location & leisure:
Higashi Shirakawa-Village is located in the central part of Japan, near the Hida Mountains which are very famous for its beautiful scenery among mountain climbers and tourists. Elevation is high and the population is about 4,000. Most villagers take part in forestry and cultivate tea tree. Shirakawa tea is famous around the area. 95% of the villages are covered with mountains and rich forests. Visitors can enjoy its quiet wild nature. If volunteers like to visit landmarks such as Shirakawago (a newly registered World Heritage) or Gero Onsen (famous hot spring), please plan your trip after the workcamp (the transportation is very limited during the program). A volunteer needs at least 10,000 JPY in cash if he/she wants to go sightseeing on free-day (such as Takayama city) but you can stay at the camp location if you do not want to go out with a big group.
Requirements:
1.Big interest and motivation to teach English (or at least culture/language of your home country) to local Japanese children since this is core activity during this workcamp 2.Conversational Japanese is recommended, but not required3.Some interest for outdoor activities, together with local Japanese children in the forest 4.Some interest for Japanese culture, language and custom (especially the lifestyle of rural area). 5.Extra fee 7000 JPY(about 60 EURO). Please pay on arrival. This fee will be used for supporting the accommodation fee6.A motivation letter (more than 5 sentences long) is required. Please include your interest, motivation, experience and strength of yourself in English or Japanese. A sleeping bag is a must. You can not use beddings the Ryokan owns. Clothing suitable for activities such as long sleeved items, pants cotton gloves and durable sneakers, swimwear, flip-flops, portable umbrella or rainwear, a hat/cap, facial towel, bath towel, sun protected cream or spray, medicine you use in your home country, a water bottle and a bug repellent. At least 20,000 JPY in cash (including extra fee). A credit card is useless in this area.
Age:
18-40
Location:
Higashishirakawa
Language(s):
English
Airport:
KIX: Kansai (Osaka, Japan)Vegetarian food will be available
First half project is based on Kurashiki City and the volunteers move to Kibi Youth Outdoor Learning Center bus for camping. -In cooperation with Japanese university students from Okayama University of Science (About 20 students), volunteers manage and plan cross cultural communication seminar& English education seminar for Japanese children (elementary school students)※A camp leader will also be selected by the university. -Cultural exchange with children at local high school and children center-Cleaning and pulling weeds at youth center-Join the event of learning Japanese culture held by Japanese students
Accomodation & food:
International academic exchange center on campus (20th August-25th August)National KIBI Youth Outdoor Learning Center (26th August-29th August)Bed rooms, shower (with bath tab 20-25 Aug/large public bath 26-29 Aug), laundromat at within 10-min-walking distance (20-25 Aug), restroom. Deli at 10-min-walking distance (20-25 Aug) , No Free Wifi and kitchen. Meals will be provided except for on the weekend of 25th and 26th Aug Not available for vegetarian and people who have food allergy.
Location & leisure:
Okayama city is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of Japan. Although the accommodation is located in rural area, it is very comfortable to live as it is not as busy as other metropolitan cities. It is also accessible to Shikoku, Sanyo and Kansai area. Those for who want to explore those areas can visit there after the project. You will be able to have experience modern Japanese culture through interaction with local people. They give a friendly welcome to you. Okayama is very safe area and really nice place to stay.
Requirements:
A motivation letter (more than 10 sentences long) is required. Please include your interest, motivation, experience and strength of yourself in English or Japanese. Volunteer should bring clothes suitable for the work, shoes, hat/cap, bug protected spray, medicine for insect bites, cold and painkiller, bath towels, facial towels, toothpaste, brush, shampoo and conditioner, seasonings that represent your country (salt, garlic, paste, sauce or pepper) Prepare for presentation about your country. Also please bring some English textbooks you used in junior high school or high school of your country. A credit card may not be useless in this area. Please prepare at least 30,000 JPY if you want to go sightseeing during free-day. Volunteers must put off pierces and hide tattoos when visiting schools.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
