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"Last fall I had the pleasure of being both the home and the school host for Mikiko Hagiwara for three month. I very much enjoyed having her in my home. Mikiko was always pleasant and helpful and taught me how to cook both Japanese and Chinese dishes. I enjoyed showing her some of the sights around Toronto. At school she was invited into a number of classrooms where she was able to introduce the students to various aspects of Japanese culture. Many of our staff benefited from their contacts with her, as well. All in all, it was a rewarding experience for everyone involved in the internship program."

Mrs. Bette-Ann Goldstein (Bramalea Secondary School, Canada)

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"Most of the interns we have hosted, have proved to be excellent and a very valuable addition to our staff. As we are a school it is beneficial if the interns have some experience of teaching and it helps if they can speak reasonable English. Our students very much enjoy the experience of learning about a different culture from the interns, making this a valuable cultural exchange."

Mrs. H. C. Hamilton, Headmistress (Polam Hall School, UK)

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	"Masayo is doing a great job here at Union House Elementary School. Masayo is sharing Japanese culture traditional games, artwork and language with almost 1000 students. She has become part of our school
family, and her experience here is proving to be a huge success."
Ms. Nancy Maubach, Vice-Principal (Union House Elementary School, USA)

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"It was an unforgettable experience, and both staff and students are now missing the intern from IIP. We are very grateful for this rewarding program and all the knowledge about Japan it brought to us, and especially are the students who were the first to benefit from the experience."

Mr. Angel Antonio Lopez Hernandez (JEFE DE ESTUDIOS DEL I.E.S. GREDOS, Piedrahita (Avila), SPAIN)

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A 1998 Fullbright Memorial Teacher   Award recipient, Dr. Betty Garren, who studied in Japan for 3 weeks,  had this to say about her experience with an IIP teaching assistant:

As an Enrichment Teacher serving the entire school, I knew I could develop many interesting lessons to share my experiences (in Japan).  Soon after beginning to develop these lessons, I read of an organization in Japan (International Internship Programs) that places Japanese teaching interns into American (and other foreign) schools for up to one year. 

The program gives aspiring young Japanese teachers the opportunity to visit and live in the United States while they share their culture through language, music, art, and interaction with the students.  The intern is not paid for his/her services to the school,  and the host teacher makes his/her  home stay and housing arrangements.  The only cost to the school is to provide a free lunch each day.  In my case, I recruited 4 different teachers (including myself) to host the intern in two-month spans.

Imagine the excitement the first morning Miss Yukiko arrived at our school!

Students and faculty alike were excited and welcomed her into our school family.  Everyone in our school and many throughout the community learned Japanese culture, language, songs, stories, foods, games, and dance. Students dressed in traditional Japanese yukatas (summer, cotton kimonos) and happi coats.  They learned to eat with chopsticks and to write in calligraphy.  A favorite activity was the art of origami (paper folding).

Our year with Miss Yukiko is one that will be with us forever, for she touched the hearts of all!  Students, parents, and faculty alike knew Miss Yukiko, for she was in the dinner conversations of every student she had seen that day.  Our Japanese teaching intern experience was truly an experience in global learning.

Dr. Betty Garren (Laurel Bay School, USA)

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