What is JSTAP ?
		Benefits to Host School
		Responsibilities
		Background of Interns
		Frequently Asked Questions
		Success Stories

What is JSTAP?

The Japanese School Teaching Assistant Program (JSTAP) is designed primarily for primary/elementary through high school students. JSTAP offers a remarkable opportunity for schools and students to learn about the Japanese people, their culture, customs, traditions and way of thinking through our interns. A far more effective resource than books in a library or videos.

Benefits to Host Schools

		Enhance your curriculum with the assistance of a Japanese intern who can play a multi-dimensional role based on your needs
		Students learn about Japan from someone with up-to-date knowledge and firsthand experience
		Among others, students have the opportunity to learn:
		1.	Japanese language (greetings, writing Japanese character, etc.)
		2.	Japanese traditional cultural arts (calligraphy, origami, ikebana, etc.)
		3.	Japanese traditional cultural performance (tea ceremony, dance, etc.)
		4.	Japanese traditional sports (sumo, judo, kendo, etc.)
		5.	Current Japanese lifestyle (school life, housing, foods, cooking, etc.)

Schools are able to host a new intern every year without being repetitive because each intern brings his or her own unique experiences and skills to this program.

Background of Interns

JSTAP interns come from diverse backgrounds and are screened based on their personality and purpose of participation. While most interns are in their 20’s and 30’s, a few are in their 60’s. Most have completed two to four years of higher education, and some are currently enrolled in a college or university. Although some of them have current or past experience as teachers in Japan, most interns are ordinary citizens who are eager to experience cultural exchange as Cultural Ambassadors while they perform as volunteer Japanese Teaching Assistants.

JSTAP’s success depends highly on our interns’ personal skills and talents. Some interns are masters of one or more of Japanese traditional cultural arts, sports and performance, i.e., tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana (flower arrangement), etc. They also introduce Japanese culture by cooking traditional foods and making narration of lifestyles in Japan.

JSTAP interns are committed to the goal of sharing Japan with the world as an ambassador through language instruction and cultural activities. Some additional reasons they join the program are:

		To improve their communication and foreign language skills
		To learn about educational systems in foreign countries
		To challenge themselves in preparation for their future careers
		To experience daily home life in another culture
		To obtain an international mind-set

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does an internship period lasts ?
A: Internships are basically arranged for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. However, this can be adjusted based on the intern’s availability, and needs of the host school.

Q: When do internship periods start?
A: There are two or three starting dates in a year depending on each country. (Usual departures are on the months of April and October.) But these can be adjusted upon the request of interested schools. Applications should be filed three months before the desired starting dates to give IIP ample time to process them.

Q: Is the intern paid?
A: No. The interns are VOLUNTEER assistant teachers and do not receive payment for their services to the host schools.

Q: Where do interns stay? Who shoulder their expenses?
A: Generally, interns stay at host families identified by the host school. (Sometimes more than one family can host the intern.) Interns contribute fees to the host family to defray meals and other related expenses. The fees are negotiated/determined by both parties before or immediately upon the arrival of the intern.

If the host school cannot find suitable host family(ies), interns can be accommodated at boarding house or dormitory owned by the school. During school breaks, host schools are requested to give the interns opportunity to stay at host family(ies).

If neither of the two is available for the intern, schools are encouraged to consult IIP for other accommodation options.

Q: What types of insurance does an intern carry?
A: Interns carry a limited amount of insurance for injury, sickness and liability such as: death or residual disability due to injury, death due to illness, medical expenses due to injury, medical expenses due to illness, liability (personal and property), household goods & personal belongings, and rescuer’s expenses, etc.

Q: How can we apply as Host School ?
A: Download and send a Host School Application Form to IIP in Tokyo, Japan. IIP will try to find a suitable intern for your school as soon as possible. There is no required application fee.

Please click the picture for the application forms