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Since the start of the Internship Program in 2001, 32 students from Kobe College have participated in the program. The internship provides the students a learning experience in a supportive work place and includes a wholesome, caring family life, an element lacking in many study-abroad or homestay programs. The impact is so big that the students mature in a short time, and they also learn the spirit of volunteerism from the caring families and mentors who participate in the program. Two students have completed internships this past summer at Merryhill Elementary School in Davis, CA (coordinator: Angie Gaspar) and the Japan America Society of Minnesota, in Minneapolis (coordinator: Tak Ishida). We expect to have three students in Chicago and one in Atlanta for internships beginning in February, 2008. Our program helps students land careers as teachers or in fields that require communication skills. We find that many interns keep up a correspondence with their host families and mentors, building lasting friendships. Moreover, a number of them return to visit the families and mentoring teachers. We also know that there are some mentors and family members visit their former interns in Japan. Kayo Hishitani is an example of how our internship program can lead to new opportunities. Kayo participated in the program at Washburne Junior High School in Winnetka, IL. in 2003. The experience at the school led Kayo to become a teacher, and influenced her sister to participate in the Internship program in 2005. The sisters so cherished the experience that they revisited Chicago to meet their mentors and stayed with the family the following year. However, Kayo took one step further to come back as a KCC-JEE contract teacher for Henry Sibley HS Japanese Language Program and is loving it. Now, Kayo’s mother is coming to the States to be part of her daughters' exciting international experiences. Internship sites have included: In Illinois: In Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
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2007 Spring Internship Recipient
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