Japan Exchange

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NO EXCHANGES in 2020-2021

Trip Basics:

A 14 Day trip to Japan during March Break 2021

– Travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Nagoya, and possibly Himeji Castle

– Hosted by a Japanese family in Inuyama (Close to Nagoya) for 4-5 days

– Joint Activities with Japanese Students and Host Families

– Bihoku (the Japanese school) will come to Vancouver the following March (2022) and be hosted by participating students.

– Expected cost $4300, including all transport and most meals.

– Students buy own snacks and drinks, and should count on about $100 in spending money

– We travel with public transportation as much as possible.

– Size of the group has been between 12 and 20 students.

– Chaperones are Ms.Port and Mr.Mehl

Notes:

– Focus of the trip will be fine-tuned to match the interests of participants.

– Knowledge of Japanese is NOT a requirement.

– Mr. Mehl has been taking students to Japan and Germany for 14 years and has extensive experience organising such trips, and as he lived in Japan for a few years, he is very familiar with the destinations.

Hosting:

– Hosting the exchange partner is an important part of the exchange. If you are NOT able to host, we need to find an alternate host, who will get paid for hosting. This means you will have to cover the cost. This is why we take a $400 hosting deposit which is returned after you hosted your guest, or used to pay an alternate host.

2020

– Bihoku (Our Japanese Exchange school) will come to Vancouver just prior to March Break 2020 and will be hosted by participating students.
– Bihoku students attend classes at Kitsilano for two days.
– There will be some joint activities for Japanese and Canadian students as part of the exchange
– Students interested in joining the trip to Japan in 2021 can get involved in activities or as hosts (if needed)

HOSTING INFO
JAPAN EXCHANGE – Hosting Information

The Basics:
– Participants SHOULD host their exchange partners
– Japanese Partners come in alternate years (the year before or after the trip to Japan) usually just before March Break.

– If hosting is not possible, we will try to find an alternate host.

– As the person NOT hosting, you will have to financially compensate the family hosting your exchange partner.

– To secure that students host on our end we take a ‘hosting deposit’ which is returned after the guest has been hosted.

Interested in Hosting an extra student?
– If you host a German student in May 2020, you can earn credit towards the cost of the next exchange trip
– If you are going on one trip, you could also host for the other trip, you can also earn the extra credit.

– If you are NOT participating in a trip, the school will pay you a hosting fee.

– The amount of credit or payment depends on the length of stay, and what is expected of you, the host.

– There is no guarantee that we will need additional hosts in any year. It all depends on the number of participants and how many people can or cannot host.

Hosting Details
– Guests should have their own bedroom (You might have to sleep on the couch).

– Meals should be provided as per the schedule. Count on providing daily Breakfast, and most Lunches and Dinners.

– Students should be taken to school by their host partner, until they are comfortable with transit.

– On weekends, host families should plan an activity with the student they are hosting.

– Vancouver Activity Choices [Scoop.it site] Send me links if you have more ideas

Questions?
Come and see me in Room 149 any morning or at lunch, so we can get you set up and up to date.
You can also e-mail me at rmehl@vsb.bc.ca

SIGN UP

– We are now taking names for the 2021 Trip. A $400 deposit will secure a spot and we will sign up the remaining spaces in September. .

– If you have questions you can always contact Mr.Mehl

  • to sign up, complete the survey and bring a $400 deposit to Mr.Mehl

Videos for Japan trip

Video List

Suntory Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQnH450hPM

Quick Japanese History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh5LY4Mz15o

10 things about Japanese Schools; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ikOhbuaNyA

School uniforms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnYjsyc0EvQ

Living Conditions:

Small Apartment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6VUOMVKkEs

Small House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRQ5fqvZKQ

Big House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKJjo6KNcE

3 Month Exchange

3 MONTH INFO
– We also have an annual three month exchange with Bihoku JapanPoster.pdf

– Kits students start the school year in Japan (late August) and return to Kits in time for second term

– Japanese students come to Kits from January until March, as their school year starts April 1st.

– Interested? Take a look at the info sheet LongExchange.pdf

  • Complete the Online application Application (on-line)
  • Submit the following to Mr. Mehl:
    • A photo of YOU
    • A photo of your FAMILY
    • A copy of your passport and Care Card

DETAILS & Schedules:

-Will be posted soon (working out details right now)

For Your Reference:

Vancouver Activity Choices [Scoop.it site] Send me links if you have more ideas

We also have a Germany Exchange Program!

Check this site for the link

Questions?

Come and see me in Room 149 any morning or at lunch if you have questions.
You can also e-mail me at rmehl@vsb.bc.ca