34th JAL Scholarship Program for Asia and Oceania Students in July

The JAL Foundation, the cultural arm of the Japan Airlines’ Group, will hold from July 4 - 25, 2007 the 34th JAL Scholarship program in Japan for university undergraduates from countries and regions across Asia and Oceania.

In total, 36 university students from 11 countries and regions in Asia and Oceania will participate in the 22-day 2007 program. They will have the opportunity to discuss and debate with Japanese student counterparts during their stay this year’s theme, entitled “Challenges for the Future”.

Japan Airlines launched the program in 1975 as an introduction to Japan for university students from Asia and Oceania. Since 1990 the JAL Foundation has organized the event, which has evolved in scope over the years.

Including this year’s participants, a total of 1,322 students will have participated in the program since it started in 1975.

The 36 participants this year include six students from China; four from South Korea; three each from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam; and two from New Zealand.

Students are selected locally by means of an essay contest, followed by an interview. The program includes roundtrip international airfares on Japan Airlines, tuition, board and lodging and transportation within Japan.

The 22-day 2007 program has several elements:

Seminar for Globally Minded Citizens, Tokyo – July 5-6/ 10-13: Former UN Undersecretary General Yasushi Akashi and professor of Waseda University Yukiko Fukagawa together with other leading figures from all walks of life will provide the program students with a comprehensive introduction to Japan’s culture, economy, environmental issues and society through a series of stimulating lectures.

Field trip to Niigata Prefecture – July 7- 8: The participants will go on a field trip to Murakami City and Niigata City in Niigata Prefecture to learn about regional Japanese cultural and meet students from Niigata University.

Student sessions – July 14: Students will hold discussions with Japanese students on the theme of the 2007 program.

Home stays (Tokyo area) – July 14-16: Always a popular feature of this program, home stays with Japanese families will give participating students a first hand experience of family life in contemporary Japan.

Asia Forum in Ishikawa Prefecture – July 18-21: A 4-day forum including lectures will be held in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture on the Japan Sea coast. The program participants will join local Japanese students in discussing the 2007 program theme and will present their findings.

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