. .. .

	"International Internship Programs (IIP) has sent many excellent interns to the Japan-American Society of the State of Washington (JASSW) every year since 1995. Our IIP intern coordinates JASSW’s well-regarded school outreach program, 'Japan in the Schools' throughout the school year.
Since the program involves both Japanese- and English-speaking volunteers and teachers, our intern’s bilingual and bi-cultural skills are not only appreciated but are also critical to the program’s success. Furthermore, all of the interns we have had are so friendly and helpful to other staff members. A few months after a new intern arrives every year, we always know we can count on her as another staff person in our office, not just a “guest from Japan.” We have been very fortunate to have such talented people as co-workers and very thankful to IIP for sending them to us. I have enjoyed working with last four interns and have come to be good friends with them. I believe they also made a lot of good friends and enjoyed learning about a non-profit organization, business and culture in the United States. Otherwise, they wouldn’t return so often to see their friends in Seattle."
Ms. Akiko Kawai (Japan Projects Coordinator)
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, USA

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"At the start of January 2000 Mr. Masaki Kudo arrived in London to begin a one-year placement with Oscar Software.  For Oscar Software the entire project has been a success and for Masaki it has also been a success since he has not only lived and worked in England,  he has built up a wealth of friendships and contacts and has been able to use his skills to good effect which has and will continue to be, beneficial to both parties in the short and long term. Oscar has now extended the work permit of Masaki and therefore we shall be working together for at least another year.  In our opinion, both Masaki and Oscar Software have gained immense benefits from taking a chance with the IIP scheme and Oscar will if given the opportunity again, willing to accept future IIP persons from Japan. The reason that Masaki has been successful, in the opinion of all the personnel at Oscar, is because he took the time to learn the English cultures and has accepted with good grace, situations that must have been totally alien to him, especially in the early days of his stay.

In closing I would like to state that we applaud this well thought out cultural exchange scheme and on our findings, would recommend other European companies to seriously consider the scheme for their own participation."

Mr. Michael Gullifer (Managing Director)
 Oscar Software Limited, UK
 

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"We are so pleased to have Ms. Aoi Seki as part of our staff at Hollywood Scriptwriter Magazine. We’ve learned so much about Japan, its culture, traditions and wonderful foods. And Ms. Seki is enjoying the experiences of American traditions and holidays as well as the way that office routines carry us through each day. We are very happy to be participating in the IIP and hope to do so again."

Ms. Lou Grantt (Publisher / Editor)
 Hollywood Scriptwriter Magazine, USA

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"Nami provided us with a gateway to the local Japanese community, but she also provided us with warmth and friendship, a wry sense of humour and an insatiable appetite for film."

Mr. James McKenzie
Filmhouse Ltd., UK

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"It has been a pleasure for us to have Akiko here. I think she has learned a lot about American culture and the way small businesses are conducted. She has also been an excellent ambassador for Japan. She has been willing to do whatever we asked her to do. She has been very cooperative, honest and flexible. Akiko has a very pleasant personality and our entire staff has enjoyed having her here. The progression of working as a housekeeper, cashier and waitress and some in the office seems to be very good for Akiko. Akiko took advantage of an English class in our town and other opportunities to meet Americans. You can send us more interns like Akiko. We feel that Akiko enjoyed her stay here and learned a lot."

Mr. Gene Glader (Owner / Manager)

Cascade Lodge, USA

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		"Junko has been included in the family activities of Elise and her roommate, Jeremy. They went out to dinner to celebrate Elise’s Grandfather’s birthday. Junko has been to visit the homes of two students of Happy Tails. One student is a graduate and the other is in the class which just started on September 9, 2000.
	Junko went along to the Animal Clinic with a student and her dog so the dog could have some stitches removed from a surgery. We had our first class for this group of students on Saturday. Junko was very helpful assisting the people with disabilities. On Monday, September 11, 2000 we had a meeting with some of our board members. Junko introduced herself to them. Currently, Junko is developing a spreadsheet listing articles from various magazines. This will be used as a resource for Happy Tails and Junko will copy articles that she is interested in so that she may develop her own list of resources.

Junko has blended in very well to both the host family and daily living activities as well as with Happy Tails Service Dog. The most recent development is that both Junko and her host, Elise, enrolled in a correspondence course for Veterinary Technicians. The English is still somewhat difficult but studying together is very helpful."

Ms. Joyce Weber (Happy Tails Service Dog, Inc., USA)

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"Life here at Emerald Ridge is not the same now that Sachiko has left to return to her life in Japan. Sachiko brought us a smile everyday that those of us who spent time with her ( residents and staff alike ) truly miss. Not only did we receive the opportunity to educate Sachiko about our American customs and practices, but we also received the opportunity to learn about the customs and practices in Tokyo. The most important thing that many of us have learned through Sachiko, is that although we thought we lived in an area that was fast moving and always on the go, we are quite laid back compared to Tokyo’s standards. Thank you for sending Sachiko and including us in this wonderful experience. Our residents really miss her as do the rest of us."

Ms. Donna Mazon (Activity Director)

Emerald Ridge of Salon, Senior and Health Care Community / USA

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"We previously had Shoko Yamamoto and Reiko Yamashita for 1 year, then Kyoko and Yukiko. It has been most enjoyable with all the girls, listening to their tales of life in Japan, your culture, countryside and weather etc.

We find Japanese ladies to be very friendly and polite at all times. The Internship do a fairly good job in communicating with the intern and the host family and it is good to see that you also keep in touch with us after the girls return to Japan – most impressive!

Each and every one of the girls has enjoyed living with us. Our house is a 25-minute walk from Princess Street and Edinburgh Castle. They enjoy working in the shop (flexible starting and finishing times seem very popular indeed!) and serve customers and assist with wedding and funeral work also.

Their days are usually busy, but if not they are free to either stay at home, or go out socially. They do not work to a strict timetable. They are happy - and this for me is number one priority!"

Mrs. Elizabeth Docherty (Be Be Flowers, UK)

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		"As for the contribution of Ms. Akiko Wada to our activity, it was a very important one on the following points: 1.  In our family: her discretion, her kindness and her total availability were a very important contribution to the harmony of our family life, especially for our three
	children who were fascinated by her knowledge of the Japanese culture (origami, traditional cooking). 2.  In our company she was really helpful in the seedling of the young plants as well as for the harvesting work. Moreover her great abilities and her delicate taste for beautiful things and decoration allowed us to make new products from Provence that were more adapted to our foreign customers. The Consul of Japan in Marseille mostly appreciated these products when he visited our company.

We would be very pleased to host another intern from Japan."

Mr. Guy Chauvin (La ferme de Gerbaud, France)

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