Explore Japan's Daily Schedule(Two-week session)

What are the different workshops on Japan and Japanese culture?
Click here to see a list of topics covered each morning.

What do the students do in the afternoon? Some afternoons will be spent "sight-seeing" at local landmarks and museums. Others will be devoted to getting the students to play sports together and do some volunteer work side by side. Click here to see a list of afternoon activities.

Who are the visiting Japanese students and where are they from? The students are three different school systems in Japan. One group is from Tokyo, one from Osaka (2^nd largest city in Japan) and the other group is from Kyoto (ancient capital city of Japan and number one tourist destination).

Where do the Japanese students stay while they are in the area? Japanese students stay with families of the students participating in Explore Japan. For hosting a student, families are allowed free admission for one of their children to the Explore Japan.

What is hosting a student? Hosting is welcoming a foreign student into the home, providing a place to sleep and making them part of the family for two weeks. Of course, students are out of the home from 9AM - 5PM each weekday. Click here to get the "Hosting Frequently Asked Questions."

What are the benefits to the students and families who participate in the program?

• This is a great learning experience for all people involved. It is the perfect environment for students and their families to learn about a fascinating culture.
• Students have higher motivation surrounded by students from Japan
• The program is designed for learning, but keeping in mind it is summer, emphasis is put on fun!
• The entire program is free -- it costs nothing for the host families.

Who is the director of the Explore Japan? Steve Shapiro, the director of the program, has been running the Explore Japan since 1988 and has watched it grow over the years. Steve is a graduate of Cornell University and is a frequent traveler to Japan.

Who are the staff for the Explore Japan and afternoon activities? Our Explore Japan teachers are all  teachers of Japan-related subjects. Most of our teachers are local Japanese-American citizens who have lived in America for over a decade. Some of the visiting Japanese teachers also lend their expertise to the workshops. For the afternoon activities, our staff is comprised of a number of people with ample experience taking care of and directing students in this age group.

What is American Learning, Inc.? We area non-profit, student exchange and summer program organization based in Cambridge which arranges cultural summer programs, student exchange programs, and campus-based summer study programs for school groups from Asia and Europe. American Learning has been arranging these programs since 1988 in New England and New York for student groups of all ages. All programs are based upon the concept of "Total Interaction" for the visiting and host students. Click here to learn more about American Learning, Inc.