Opihi College
Japanese Language Study Trip
Type of Activity
Japanese Language Study Trip
Location of Activity
Eniwa, Hokkaido, Japan (Timaru District Friendship City) and other parts of Japan
Participants
The program will be open to senior students who are studying Japanese at Opihi College and other high schools in the Timaru District.
Dates/Duration of Activity
September-October 2006, 3 weeks; Sunday, 24 Sept – Sunday, 15 Oct 2006
A Trip to Japan – Relation to Japanese Study
The fundamental goal of any language learning program is to travel to the target country and interact with the people. The value of studying and using the language at its source together with complete cultural immersion is immeasurable. There is no better way to learn about another country, its customs and the way of life of its people than by experiencing it firsthand as a homestay student. Though it’s only a short three weeks in Japan the students’ lives will be greatly enhanced. Students will growin maturity, self-confidence, communicative ability, and learn to become global citizens.
While attending a Japanese high school, students will have special classes in Japanese language study. When leaving class each day they will go out into the community and back to their homestay families to practice their “homework” in authentic situations. It’s a language learners dream! We will also designate daily study time for the students to keep up on their New Zealand schoolwork.
Eniwa, Hokkaido, Japan
Eniwa does not yet have a full sister city relationship with Timaru, but is at a “Friendship City” level. We all live in the Timaru District and would have the support of the Sister Cities Committee of the Timaru District Council. As a friendship city, Eniwa would welcome us and lend us support while there.
Travel Outline - Homestay & Japan Rail Travel
We will travel from Timaru to Osaka, Japan and activate the Japan Railpasses. I would guide the students on a one week cultural tour of Hiroshima, Miyajima and Himeji Castle, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Tokyo. We will try to keep costs low by staying in youth hostels. We will then travel to Eniwa, Hokkaido where the students would then experience a two week homestay and language study program at a local high school.
Orientation
There will be a series of orientation meetings throughout the year to ready the participants and their parents before departure.
Fundraising
It’s an expensive trip, so we’ll need to raise money for most of the students. I hope to organise a Parents’ Fundraising Committee to manage this.
Program Cost: $3400
What the cost includes:
Return airfare (CHCH Sapporo)
Taxes
Departure tax
Japan Rail Pass
Travel insurance (Trip cancellation, medical, lost luggage, etc.)
Youth hostel accommodation for 6 nights
Host school programme
Host Family accommodation 13 nights
Any entrance fees during sightseeing
Emergency International cell phone
The fee does not cover:
Passport fees (under 16 - $80; adult - $150)
Domestic transfer in NZ
Extra Food / Snacks
Spending money $200 (Variable)
Gifts for host family
Timeline for payment
1st installmentpayment of $500 must be paid by Wednesday, 1 March 2006.
This payment is fully refundable until Wednesday, 22 March 2006
2nd installmentpayment of $1500 must be paid by Wednesday, 22 March 2006.
This payment is refundable minus a 25% airfare cancellation fee until the date of departure. Our travel insurance would cover a full airfare refund in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
3rd installmentpayment of $500must be paid by Wednesday, 24 May 2006.
4th installmentpayment of $500must be paid by Wednesday, 26 July 2006.
5th installmentpayment of $400must be paid by Wednesday, 6 September 2006.