Since 1993, this program has offerd UC Davis students a unique opportunity to participate in an international, cultural and educational exchange. The children's homes accepting interns are long-established institutions with years of success preparing Japanese children for productive and successful lives. The homes are not quite orphanages, and not quite group homes; there is no direct English translation. Together with the Japanese staff and native college-student interns, UC Davis interns will share in the lives of school-age youngsters. As an intern from overseas, an important part of a UC Davis intern will be to open the children's eyes to the rest of the world.

Six children's homes in different parts of Japan currently accept UC Davis interns under this program. Homes are located in the following prefectures: Kita Saitama, Aichi-ken, Kyoto, Fukushima, Kyuushu, and Sendai. Two interns will be placed in each home.



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The internship runs for 10 weeks during the summer from early July through mid September. Interns may seek this internship for academic credit and can make those arrangements with Professor Don Price, Faculty Director. Another option could also be acquiring EAP 192 units towards the Global & International Studies minor.

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UC Davis students with the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Must be a UC Davis undergraduate student
2. Must have at least one quarter left before graduation, after participating in the JCHIP internship (Ex. If interning summer 2010, you should NOT be graduating earlier than December 2010)
3. Language equivalent of one year of Japanese at the university level by departure to JCHIP internship
4. Must be in good academic standing
5. Must be a U.S. citizen
6. Must have a current U.S. Passport by departure to JCHIP internship (passport should not expire during internship or too close to the return date)

All interested applicants must attend an information session before applying. Former interns also attend these sessions to share their experiences of life as an intern at the various institutions. We also strongly suggest that interested applicants read reports from previous interns, which are located in binders for each participating JCHIP home in room 318 South Hall (Monday thru Friday between 10am to 4pm). The reports should provide more specific program expectations for each home and give you personal insight from past participants, including pictures.

In this way, we ensure that only those applicants who understand and are prepared to accept the living conditions, activities and responsibilities of being a JCHIP intern will apply to the program. Pre-departure orientation meetings are also mandatory before participating in the program.

2009-2010 Information Sessions - you must attend one of the three Information Sessions in order to apply

• Fall '09 Information Meeting
  Tuesday, November 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room 114, South Hall
• Winter '10 Information Meetings
  Thursday, January 14,12:00-1:00 p.m., 307 South Hall
  Friday, January 22, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Fielder Room, 2nd Floor, MU

Application materials must be submitted by 4:00 p.m., February 10, 2010 to
A group interview to be scheduled in late February or early March is also required. Applicants are notified of selection within two weeks post-interview.
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Interns live at children's homes, where room and board are provided free. Transportation to and from Japan and other personal expenses are the responsibility of the intern.

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Applicants must submit the following to apply:

1. A completed JCHIP Application (Must attend an info session to receive an application)
2. An unofficial transcript
3. Resume
4. A statement of personal goals as they pertain to the JCHIP internship
5. A letter of recommendation on official letterhead from a faculty member familiar with your work
6. A completed recommendation form from someone who has knowledge of your volunteer or work experience with children or from an employer.

2009-2010 Information Sessions - you must attend one of the three Information Sessions in order to apply

• Tuesday, November 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room 114, South Hall
  Thursday, January 14, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 307 South Hall
  Friday, January 22, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Fielder Room, 2nd Floor, MU

Application materials must be submitted by 4:00 p.m., February 10, 2010 to
A group interview to be scheduled in late February or early March is also required. Applicants are notified of selection within two weeks post-interview.

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Applicants for the internship program are chosen in a competitive selection process. When the applications are submitted, they are reviewed by the program founder, faculty director, ICC coordinator, and by a panel of former interns, who prepare a preliminary ranking of the applicants. Finally, there is a series of interviews in which the same evaluators meet with the applicants and ask them further questions designed to determine the applicant's suitability for the positions, in terms of personality, commitment, working with children, previous experience in culturally demanding environments, training in or familiarity with the Japanese language and culture, and general maturity. For the past few years, the number of applicants has been high, and the choice has been highly selective, with only one out of two applicants being chosen for the intern positions. On a few occasions those originally chosen were unable to go, and alternates took their places.
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AIMS:
We envision that the UC Davis interns, by living together with the children at the Japanese children's home institutions, can deepen their knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. Moreover, their daily presence will stimulate the curiosity of the children and provide an opportunity for a cultural exchange. We believe that the interns' example will inspire the future hopes of the children at these institutions.

TERMS:

1. The interns will reside in Japanese style rooms in most cases.
2. The interns will be assigned to a specific section where they will interact with the children in all phases of daily life.
3. Any problems that should arise will be solved through mutual consultation.
4. Details of daily schedules will be determined on an individual basis.
5. Interns will be responsible for their own medical insurance and any other medical expenses. (You must have health insurance before you leave the U.S.)
6. Interns are responsible for their own transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
7. Each institution will provide room and board for the duration of the internship (10 weeks).
8. Upon completion of the internship, interns must submit a completed Transcript Notation packet to the ICC.

LIVING WITH THE CHILDREN:
The children sometimes behave badly because they have not been able to live with their own parents or maintain normal relationships with other adults from whom they might absorb normal social behavior. Accordingly, if such problems occur, the interns will be expected to point them out and try to convince the children to behave properly, even scolding them if necessary. This approach is the foundation on which to build a trusting relationship.

The principle elements of the intern's work will be helping out with the children's daily dressing, meals, schoolwork, plus any other duties necessary to maintain a supportive environment. A lot of time will also be devoted to entertaining and playing with the children.

With only 1 or 2 exceptions, the children at the institutions are both mentally and physically able to participate in normal activities. However, some children who appear to be normal and cheerful may in fact have experienced personal difficulties before coming to these institutions and will be suffering from severe emotional wounds.

ADDITIOINAL RESOURCES:
There are binders for each participating JCHIP home in room 318 South Hall, the ICC International Program Student Advising office. Drop by anytime Monday thru Friday between 9am to 4p to read reports from previous interns and browse through their pictures. The binders should provide more specific program expectations for each home and give you personal insight from past participants.

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Don Price
Faculty Director
(530) 752-0439
dcprice@ucdavis.edu

Mrs. Eiko Taylor
JCHIP Founder
eiharataylor@ucdavis.edu


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