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WA State License
#602-292-407
Seattle License # 188122
JAPANESE LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Kobe, Japan (Kansai Region)
July 4th - August 1st, 2008
4 weeks $3795 - includes housing and meals


The Program

For 4-weeks, July 4th - August 1st, 2008 participants study Japanese language and culture and experience Japan in the Kansai region (Kobe). Discovering Japan by living with a Japanese family and having to use your Japanese language skills daily will certainly be a memorable experience. May arrange own housing if preferred.

Language classes are taught in the morning, and Japanese Writing and culture classes on some afternoons, leaving most afternoons and evenings, as well as weekends free to explore the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe).

Instructors are experienced teachers of Japanese, from local schools and colleges, and the Japanese families are middle to upper income level. Group excursions will include guided tours to Kyoto and Nara (See schedule).

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The Location

Kobe, Japan. Central Honshu, known as the Kansai (Kinki) region of Japan has a heavy concentration on business, educational, and cultural activities. Kobe is Japan's 6th largest city, and was one of the first ports to open to Western Ships. Many foreign traders settled here in the 19th century, and it soon became a cosmopolitan center. Kobe is a good location, for it is a smaller city than Osaka or Tokyo and offers easy access to Kyoto, Nara and central Osaka.

Osaka is second only to Tokyo in economic importance and population, the Kansai area constitutes the geographical and spiritual heart of Japan - being so close to the two ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara. Also, the sacred mountain of Mt. Fuji is not so far away. For 4-weeks, participants have easy access to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Nagoya. Tokyo is 3-hours by train.

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Courses

Japanese Language: all levels - Elementary through Advanced. All students will be given a placement test to determine ability and proper placement. Over 15 hrs. of class per week; Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am - 12 noon. Japanese writing and special "cultural" classes are offered in the afternoons. Over 55 hours of class time is provided in total, allowing students to earn up to 5 quarter credits or 3-4 semester credits.

Saturdays are designated as an "excursion" day. Sundays are "free" days. After classes, students have the afternoon off (free time). There will also be some Japanese cultural events scheduled for some afternoons if students are interested.

Classes held from July 7th - August 1st, 2008

Level 1: is for absolute beginners. Course includes study of basic vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Drills in listening comprehension, repetition, and easy conversation building. Reading Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji also emphasized.

Level 2: is for students who have some training, but wish to develop conversation skills. Emphasis on vocabulary building, listening, reading and speaking basic Japanese correctly.

Level 3: Students who are "intermediate" level can participate. They will be tested and placed in a proper level with other intermediate students.

Level 4: Students who are advanced level can also participate. They will be tested and placed in the proper advanced level with other students of similar level.

Textbook

Step 1 - 3: Minna no Nihongo 1
Step 4 - 6: Minna no Nihongo 2

STEP 1 - 6 (Course Summary)

Step 1: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 1 - 9
This level covers the ability to use the very basic conversations, using nouns, adjectives, and numbers.

Step 2: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 10 - 17
Emphasis on using "survival" Japanese.

Step 3: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 18 - 25
Polite and plain form of speech is emphasized.

Step 4: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 26 - 33
Changing verbs to a variety of situations.

Step 5: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 34 - 41
Conditional clause and passive forms.

Step 6: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 42 - 50
Causative verbs, and honorific words.

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Academic Credit

Students earn 3-4 credits upon completing the program (4 weeks).

Official transcript (Certificate) will be given to each student upon completion of the program. Some college students also earn credit through "Independent Study" programs at their home school. Contact your home school, advisor, or foreign language department, directly about this possibility.

Also, please review the
"Academic Credit" section of the CSA website.

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Financial Aid

Yes, you can use your financial aid on this program. Please have your Financial Aid office e-mail us a "Consortium Agreement" to complete and sign. CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, we can only assist you in using your home school's financial aid on this program.

The earlier the better, since it takes time to process. Overall, CSA does not offer any financial aid, we can only assist you in obtaining and using your aid from your home school on these programs.

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Activities

Kyoto and Nara are the two excursions provided. Participants are required to join the group for these trips. Other activities may also be provided, and are optional as well as cost extra: Osaka Tenjin festival, and Beer Garden Party. Additional details about excursions (field trips) will be given upon arrival and "welcome orientation" in Kobe. Farewell party will be held on August 1st.

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Housing

Housing is included and arranged with local, Japanese families. All host families have hosted foreign students before, and they are middle - upper income households. Two (2) meals a day with host family (breakfast / dinner) in included. A host family form will be sent to you by e-mail after you register, to be completed and returned as soon as possible to reserve a family for you.

You may arrange your own housing if preferred. Nearby guest houses and hotels are available. Costs vary. Must be 18 or older to arrange own housing. Be sure to inform CSA where you plan to stay. There is a $500 discount if you arrange own housing ($3295 program fee).


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GENERAL SCHEDULE 2008

July 4th Arrive Kobe
July 5th Orientation / Test / Host Family
July 6th Free Day
July 7th First Day of Class
July 7th - August 1st Language Classes / Cultural Workshops
July 12th Excursion (Kyoto)
July 19th Excursion (Osaka, Himeji, or Nara)
July 24th National Holiday - No Classes
July 26th Free Weekend
August 1st- Last day of Classes / Farewell Party
August 2nd Departure


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Dates and Fees

July 4th - August 1st, 2008......$3795
*$500 discount if you prefer to arrange your own housing.

Fee Includes: full tuition - intensive language courses and cultural workshops, housing and 2 meals daily with Japanese family, welcome orientation, class books and materials, 2 excursions, farewell party, transcript (Certificate of Completion), and hotel for first night (July 4th).

Not Included: Round trip airfare to Japan, insurance, transportation to Kobe, dinner on July 4th, daily lunch, gift to family, train transportation, and other personal expenses. Other housing is paid directly by each student.

CSA suggests bringing $600 - $900 extra spending money, and a major credit card. Nearby restaurants lunch: $4 - $10.

 

Payment Schedule

Deadline June 10th, 2008: CSA registration Form. Contact CSA if past deadline date, space may be available. We accept money orders, cashiers checks, and personal checks. Confirmations and arrival documents are sent only after the confirmation deposit is received by CSA.

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Requirements

Programs are open to all adults. High school students, college students, teachers, and working adults. Minimum age is 15. Average age range within group: 18 - 23. Older applicants are encouraged to apply as well. (15-17 year old students may participate with parental permission). Maximum 25.

Entry Requirements
Passport required. No visa needed for U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. Citizens will need to check with the Japanese Consulate closest to them. Please check your passport expiration date.

http://www.embjapan.org (Japan Embassy-Consulates)

Medical and Accidental insurance required. Either have coverage from a family plan, or purchase insurance. CSA needs a copy of your insurance card before you arrive in Japan. CSA suggest the following two(2) insurance companies that provide adequate insurance for students going overseas:

Wallach & Company: 1-800-237-6615....www.wallach.com
Int'l SOS Assistance: 1-800-767-1403....www.intsos.com

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Arrival

All applicants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Kobe, Japan. Airport escort at Kansai available upon request... see details below.

If you are staying with a host family arranged by CSA, then you will meet at the Green Hill Hotel in Kobe on July 4th. From the Kansai International Airport, you can easily take the "Airport Limousine Bus" to Sannomiya Station in Kobe, and then take a Taxi to the Green Hill Hotel. Takes about 1 hr from the airport to Sannomiya....and a few minutes by taxi from the station to the hotel. CSA will provide you with detailed arrival instructions on how to get to the Green Hill Hotel. Do not worry, it's easy!! Please refer to the following website on Kansai airport transportation: www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/access/bus.htm

If you have arranged your own housing, then you can proceed directly from the Kansai International Airport to your housing location. You should print a map off the housing website before arriving. A map is very important in order to find your housing. If your housing is located in Osaka, then you can easily take a train from the Kansai Airport to a major station in Osaka......such as the "Rap't express train to Namba Station (Osaka). and from there take a local train to the station nearby your housing. Please refer to the Kansai airport website: www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/access/bus.htm

If you want to have someone meet you upon arrival at the Kansai International Airport, please let us know. CSA can arrange for airport pick-up service...directly to the Green Hill Hotel in Kobe...or to your private housing location. Costs will vary on the distance, but usually will range from $25 - $50......paid directly there in Yen. If you are under 18 years of age, we suggest that you have "airport pick-up service".

Overall, we suggest you fly directly into the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. You can also fly into Tokyo's Narita Airport and then take the 2 - 3 hour Shinkansen train to Osaka / Kobe. Please inform us how you plan to travel to Japan, and our experienced staff will counsel you on the best way to get to Osaka and Kobe. Please remember that all students are expected to meet at the YMCA Kobe on July 5th, 9:00 am, for starting the orientation and placement test. Those staying with a host family to meet at the Green Hill Hotel in Kobe on July 4th....no later than 7:00 pm.

When arranging your travel plans to Japan, remember the date (time) change when you travel across the Pacific to Asia from North America. For example, to arrive on July 4th, you have to depart the United States on July 3rd. On your return, when you leave Japan on August 2nd, you will also arrive back in the USA on August 2nd.


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Country Information

Currency: Yen
Departure Tax: None
Government: LDP (Democracy)
Electricity: 110

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Registration and Information

Register online. $50 deposit required. Please review the "How To Register" section on the CSA website. Payments can be made by money order, cashiers check, or personal check. We will e-mail you a "Confirmation Notice" with additional information shortly after receiving your online registration form. Thank you.

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