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Selected coordinators
will be able to serve for up to two years in the United States. (During
the first year, the coordinator's performance will be evaluated for renewal.)
Eligibility
Criteria
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4-year
college degree |
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Excellent
English and intercultural communication skills |
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Computer
skills (Internet and Web design a plus) |
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Independent
with an outgoing, flexible and creative personality |
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Excellent
driving skills |
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Healthy
and able to live and work in another culture (Experience living
or working in an English-speaking country a plus) |
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Work
experience and/or equivalent volunteer activity desired |
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Good
command of Japanese culture (traditional and popular), history,
geography, religion; or strong research skills; and comfort in speaking
keigo |
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Any
Japanese national who is able to attend orientation in Tokyo. |
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Public
speaking skills |
Program Benefits
The following will be provided to each coordinator.
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One
round trip ticket between Japan and the U.S. (Should it be necessary
to return to Japan during the summer in order to renew his or her
visa, this airfare must be covered by the coordinator.) |
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Health
insurance for the entire term of appointment as coordinator. |
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One-time
$3,500 subsidy to be used toward purchase of a car (Once this subsidy
is spent, the remaining cost for purchase of a car and its maintenance
for two years is the responsibility of the coordinator.) |
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$1,250
yearly car insurance and AAA membership stipend. |
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$700
monthly stipend. |
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Donated
housing with host families, dormitories, or other housing arrangements.
(Taxes are the responsibility of the coordinator) |
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Five
days off during each 12-month period and all U.S. holidays (Three
weeks during the summer is provided only if the coordinator is required
to return to Japan to renew his or her visa.) Any other vacation
days are up to the policies at each site. |
Coordinator's Responsibilities
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Obtain
a valid Japanese drivers license and a valid international drivers
license |
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Provide
medical examination report prior to departure |
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Obtain
a J-1visa and a valid passport
As a condition of the granting of the visa for JOI, coordinators
are required to return to their home country upon completion of
the program. Also coordinators will not be issued another visa for
the U.S. until they have stayed in their home country for two years
after the completion the program. The only exceptions are student
(F) visas and tourist visas. |
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Assume
responsibility for all costs beyond provided stipends. |
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Participate
fully in orientation, the summer and fall workshops. |
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Learn
and understand the host organization's mission and goals and create
programs that support these. |
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Meet
weekly with the supervisor for feedback or performance reviews (at
least through the first three months) then as needed by mutual agreement
but no less than once a month after the first three months. |
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Record activities (successes and challenges) and submit a report
of these to TLI and CGP on a quarterly basis on the forms provided
by TLI. |
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Keep
an Excel spreadsheet of all activities and submit it with each quarterly
report. |
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Keep
an account of expenses charged against the funds provided to the
hosting organization. |
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Keep
a scrapbook of most successful activities and produce a year-end
report. |
Possible Roles of the Coordinator
The following are a few activities in which the coordinators could engage.
However, this list is not exhaustive.
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Make
presentations on traditional and current Japanese culture and tailor
such presentations for preschool to adult audiences. |
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Assist
in or create outreach programs to grade schools, youth groups, community
organizations, professional groups, senior living centers, children's
hospitals, libraries. Activities could include introductory language,
culture, and sports presentations tailored for preschool to adult
audiences. |
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Assist
with office work to enhance outreach opportunities and support or
expand communication in the local community. |
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Work
with the supervisor to determine how best to utilize the coordinator
skills. This might involve setting up or revising documentation
on the processes involved in organizing such an event. |
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Assist
with the organization of Japan Fair Day surrounding a Japanese holiday
- Children's Day, New Year's, O-bon, Setsubun, Sports Day, Arts
and Culture Fair. |
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Facilitate
international outreach activities - sister city activities, organizing
a trip to Japan, pen pals, chat rooms, Web site creation or enhancement. |
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Work
with area teachers and/or teacher trainers to develop discussion
topics on Japanese culture and society for a variety of age levels. |
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Build
bridges between the local U.S. community and local Japanese expatriates. |
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Train
local volunteers on how to do Japan-focused events programming.
(The purpose of this activity is to ensure the sustainability and
longevity of Japan programming once the coordinators' term of service
is completed. The coordinators should view their tenure at the host
organizations as time to assist these organizations to grow grassroots
support. Building such a network will allow the hosting organizations
to draw upon a larger circle of volunteers who can help with Japan
related activities in the future. This is, of course, the ideal.) |
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