Exchange Program
From IkataWiki
| Red Wing-Ikata Exchange Program | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Being a host family | About Ikata |
| Previous Programs: 2007, 2008, 2009 | ||
The Red Wing-Ikata Student Exchange Program is an annual program aimed at high school age students from the sister cities of Red Wing, Minnesota and Ikata, Japan. Participants visit the other country, learning about its language and culture through travel and homestays. It is held in the late summer, usually from mid-July to mid-August. The program was established in 1995.
Contents |
Participants
There are three main ways to participate in the program. If you're interested, please contact us.
Students
To qualify to participate in the exchange program as a student delegate to Ikata, you must meet the following critera:
- High school student (currently enrolled, or just graduating from junior high)
- Living in the Red Wing area (not necessarily within city limits)
- Interested in foreign cultures and willing to try new things
- Willing to give back to the community by sharing your experience abroad with classmates, etc.
- Possess a valid passport or are able to obtain one before the program begins
We ask that students' families consider hosting an Ikata student for the second half of the program, but this is not a requirement.
The qualifications for Ikata students are:
- 8th grade when applying, 9th grade (age 13 or 14) by the time the program begins
- Ikata residents
- Gifted students who work well with others and have an interest in English and American culture
Chaperones
One or two adult chaperones accompany the Red Wing students to Ikata. They are placed at host families like the Red Wing students.
Chaperones' duties are:
- To ensure the safety and welfare of the Red Wing students during their stay in Japan
- To act as a representative of Red Wing
- To have fun and enjoy learning about life in Japan
Chaperones need not worry about coordinating and planning the trip; that is handled by the IIEA and RWSCC.
Ikata students are accompanied by two chaperones, usually junior high school teachers (always at least one fluent English speaker).
Families
- See also: Details about hosting
Though we request that students' families host, hosting is also open to families who are not otherwise a part of the program. The only specific requirements are:
- You can provide meals for your student(s) while he or she is at your home (up to 3 meals a day)
- You can provide transportation in and around Red Wing during the stay
Though they are not requirements, ideally the following will apply:
- You have one or more children of high school age
- You can provide your student(s) with a private bedroom for the duration of the stay
We generally place two Ikata students (of the same sex) per host family. This helps lessen the impact of culture shock and homesickness. Exceptions are made when there is an odd number of boys or girls, or when a host family does not feel up to the task of hosting two students.
Red Wing students are placed one per host family. This is mostly due to the small size of most Japanese homes, where there often simply isn't room for more than one guest.
Cost
Students and chaperones
The raw cost per person before scholarships for Red Wing student participants in the 2007 Exchange Program was approximately $2,200. This covered the following:
- Travel from Red Wing to Tokyo Narita Airport: $1,200
- Travel within Japan: ¥114,200 (approx. $920 in July 2007approx. $1,400 in April 2012)
- This includes hotels, airfare, train and ferry tickets, admission costs, etc.
- Group expenses within Japan: ¥10,000 (approx. $125)
Some of this cost was covered by the RWSCC in 2007, thanks to very generous grants. We plan on offering similar financial assistance in the future. (However, repeat participants are ineligible for financial assistance.)
In addition to the above, we recommend that each participant bring around $200 in out-of-pocket spending money for souvenirs, snacks, etc.
Due to rising fuel prices, fluctuating exchange rates, and changing flight routes, it is extremely difficult to accurately estimate the costs of future programs. If you would like to try your own estimate, the general formula is:
- [the price of a round-trip flight from Chicago to Narita (NRT) in July] + [¥120,000 at the current exchange rate]
On November 10, 2007 this was about $2,600.
The cost for Ikata students and chaperones is around ¥350,000, approximately half of which is subsidized by the IIEA.
Payment schedule
Though we do our best to provide timely information on total costs, we may request payment in installments as bills come in. Most of the total should be paid before the program begins, but unforeseen expenses and late-arriving bills may require an additional payment after the program. Minus group expenses, all fees should be paid directly to the RWSCC Ikata liason.
The group expenses (¥10,000) are collected in Japan, after exchanging money.
Itemized expense reports are available to participants upon request.
Families
There is no fee required to become a host family. However, we ask that you provide meals (when at home) and local transportation (within the city, to and from the airport) for your student. Students will pay for their own souvenirs and personal shopping. Other expenses, such as admission fees to movies, parks, etc. should be negotiated with your student beforehand.
How to apply
Red Wing residents should talk to the RWSCC Ikata liason. Presentations about the program are given at Red Wing area schools starting in the fall.
The Ikata application period is from January to late February. Ikata students must submit an application form with an essay, and complete interviews in Japanese and English.
To contact the Red Wing liason in Ikata, please use this form.
Preparation
Host families
The only thing host families need to do is try to be available for the various group activities that will be held during the stay period. You should receive the schedule from the RWSCC beforehand.
One thing that would be helpful is to make sure you can view and input Japanese text on your computer. Your student and his or her family will find it very reassuring to be able to communicate in Japanese while abroad. Do the left and right boxes below look the same?
| Text | Image |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 
|
If not, please see Wikipedia's help section on enabling East Asian characters for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Also, if you have high-speed internet at home you can install Skype, a popular free internet telephone service for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Your student may be able to use this to talk with his or her family, eliminating the need for costly long-distance phone calls.
Obtaining a passport
All students and chaperones visiting Japan will need valid Passports. You may renew your existing passport by mail.
If you have never held a passport before, then you must apply for one in person at a passport acceptance facility. The closest facility for Red Wing residents is the Goodhue County Recorder.
- Goodhue County Recorder
- 509 W 5th Street Red Wing, MN 55066
- (651) 385-3148
- Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm
- Photos available on-site
You will need (details):
- Application for U.S. Passport form DS-11 (do not sign it until instructed)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, etc.)
- Proof of identity (driver's license, parent's identification, etc.)
- Two passport photos
- Execution fee (credit cards, debit cards, checks accepted)
- Social security number
Minors must appear in person when applying.
You may pay for expedited service (an additional $60 plus overnight shipping as of 2007-12-4), but even then it will take about 3 weeks. Standard service takes four to six weeks. Please make passport arrangements well in advance of your departure date.
Learning about Japan
There is a wealth of information about Japan available for free on the internet. Some recommended reading includes:
- General information
- Japanese language
- Wikipedia: Japanese language (somewhat technical)
- Ikata
- The 2007 Red Wing-Ikata Exchange Program
- Wikipedia: Ikata, Ehime and IkataWiki: Ikata
- Panoramio: Photos of Ikata
- Town of Ikata Official Website
Studying Japanese
There is no Japanese language proficiency requirement to participate in the Exchange Program. However, as most Ikata residents do not speak much English, year after year the language barrier proves to be a significant stumbling block in making the most of one's experience.
Students in Japan are required to study English starting in the 7th grade (soon to be extended to elementary school). Ikata students are in the 9th grade by the time they visit Red Wing, meaning they have had a little more than two years of English. Despite this, host families can expect to have some difficulty communicating with their students. Be sure to speak in easy English.
Learning some Japanese, either by studying on one's own, or by taking classes, is an excellent way to express your interest and enthusiasm for cultural exchange. Even learning just a few simple phrases can make for excellent icebreakers.
There is no need to become fluent in Japanese for the purposes of this program. Knowing some simple expressions and common vocabulary words is more than enough. For example:
- About.com: Useful Japanese Expressions with audio clips
If you are interested in learning more, you may want to learn simple grammar and written Japanese. The following are more comprehensive resources:
- Wikibooks: Japanese, a community-written Japanese textbook
- York University: Japanese class video lectures
- JapanesePod101, a podcast and community-based study materials (free and paid memberships). This comes highly recommended by the Ikata Junior High ALT.
Packing
We recommend that student and chaperone visitors to Ikata bring the following items with them:
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†Note: Some common over-the-counter drugs sold in the US are illegal in Japan (details)
Students and chaperones visiting Ikata will be subject to checked and carry-on luggage restrictions, which vary by airline. Northwest Airlines allows up to two pieces at 50lbs each.
Pack two separate bags:
- One will be shipped to Ikata upon arrival in Japan; put gifts, heavy items, and non-essentials in this one.
- The other will be carried along on the tour; make sure to pack anything you will absolutely need right away in this one.
As a general rule, since students and chaperones will need to carry bags around (up and down stairs) to some degree, we recommend packing light. You will be able to do laundry at your host family's house.
Gifts
It is common courtesy in Japan to bring gifts, called omiyage (お土産), for people you visit. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on gifts, but it can be a nice icebreaker, and a good way to share your own country's culture and heritage.
Some gift ideas:
- Non-perishable foods, snacks, etc.
- Wild rice is a good "Minnesota" food that would be interesting to Japanese people, if you provide cooking instructions or, better yet, are able to cook it yourself.
- Small trinkets, souvenirs
- Pretty much anything sold at places like the Explore Minnesota store in the Mall of America
- Minnesota or US photography collections
Ikata students are instructed to spend no more than ¥5,000 (about $45) for their entire host family. It is not necessary to provide separate gifts for every member of your host family. Host family profiles will be provided in early summer as soon as placements are decided.
Money matters
For the following reasons, we recommend that students and chaperones bring cash for any shopping they plan to do in Japan.
- While credit cards can be used in some places, they are not widely accepted.
- It is unreasonably inconvenient to exchange Traveler's Checks in the Ikata area.
- Theft and pickpocketing is very rare in Japan.
To obtain the best exchange rate, wait to exchange money until you arrive in Japan.
After the program
After the program is over, Red Wing students will be asked to share their experiences with other students and to help promote the program.
Ikata students are asked to write essays that appear in the town's monthly newsletter, as well as give presentations on their experiences and perform related schoolwork.
Who are we?
The exchange program is a joint project of the Red Wing Sister Cities Commission (RWSCC) and the Ikata International Exchange Association (IIEA).
RWSCC
The Sister Cities Commission promotes cultural exchange between cities of different nations to foster strengthened economics, world peace and a greater understanding of the world issues. The City of Red Wing has two official sister cities – Ikata, Japan and Quzhou, China. The commission also has an informal relationship with Drammen, Norway. The Sister Cities Commission can have up to 15 members appointed by the Mayor.
IIEA
The IIEA is an organization dedicated to promoting internationalization and cultural exchange in the town of Ikata. It is directed by a board of local volunteers, such as doctors, businessmen, town officials, etc. However, much of its funding comes directly from the town government, and its offices are run by civil servants working from the Town Office. Since 1999 the IIEA's dedicated Red Wing liasons have been JET Programme CIRs from the United States.
History
The exchange program has been held nearly every year since 1995 in one form or another.
| Year | To Ikata | To Red Wing | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | March 23 | 1st Red Wing adult delegation | August 4 | Sister City Agreement Signatory delegation 1st Ikata student delegation |
| 1996 | June 2 | 1st Ikata adult delegation | ||
| July 30 | 2nd Ikata student delegation | |||
| 1997 | April 8 | 2nd Red Wing adult delegation | August 1 | 2nd Ikata adult delegation 3rd Ikata student delegation |
| 1998 | October 15 | 3rd Red Wing adult delegation | August 1 | 3rd Ikata adult delegation 4th Ikata student delegation |
| 1999 | July 22 | 1st Red Wing student delegation | August 9 | 5th Ikata student delegation |
| 2000 | July 22 | 2nd Red Wing student delegation | July 7 | 4th Ikata adult delegation |
| August 11 | 6th Ikata student delegation | |||
| 2001 | June 22 | 4th Red Wing adult delegation | August 10 | 5th Ikata adult delegation 7th Ikata student delegation |
| July 20 | 3rd Red Wing student delegation | |||
| 2002 | July 20 | 4th Red Wing student delegation | August 9 | 8th Ikata student delegation |
| 2003 | Program suspended due to SARS | |||
| 2004 | July 15 | 5th Red Wing student delegation | August 6 | 6th Ikata adult delegation 9th Ikata student delegation |
| 2005 | Program suspended due to Ikata-Seto-Misaki merger | August 5 | 10th Ikata student delegation | |
| 2006 | July 19 | 6th Red Wing student delegation | August 2 | 7th Ikata adult delegation 11th Ikata student delegation |
| 2007 | July 18 | 7th Red Wing student delegation | August 1 | 12th Ikata student delegation |
| 2008 | July 18 | 8th Red Wing student delegation | July 31 | 8th Ikata adult delegation 13th Ikata student delegation |
| 2009 | Program suspended due to the H1N1 flu pandemic | |||
| 2010 | July 18 | 9th Red Wing Student Delegation | July 30 | 14th Ikata Student Delegation |
| 2011 | July 20 | 10th Red Wing Student Delegation | August 2 | 15th Ikata Student Delegation |
See also
External links
- Town of Ikata (English)
- City of Red Wing
- U.S. Department of State: Obtaining a U.S. Passport
- Xe.com: USD-to-JPY current exchange rate
