Deadline: 22-Feb-21
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) are implementing the youth exchange “Western Balkans meet Japan: A Bridge into the Future”, on 10-18 May 2021, and invite 11 undergraduate or graduate students aged from 20 to 25 years old, coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, to apply for a great opportunity of personal and professional growth.
Western Balkans meet Japan: A Bridge into the Future is a youth exchange program, organized under the MIRAI Program since 2018, aiming to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan and its policy, to promote mutual understandings and reconciliation through intellectual and cultural exchange, and build a basis for future friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Western Balkans.
Objectives
The mechanisms foreseen to achieve the predefined objectives are:
- Bilateral cooperation.
- Promotion of cooperation in the region.
- Cooperation with third parties.
Program Content
- Online pre-exchange program before departure (scheduled in April 2021).
- Lectures on Japan and its major policies.
- Courtesy call on senior ranking officials of MOFA.
- Discussions with Japanese young students / researchers at universities / think tanks.
- Visiting historical sites.
- Learning cutting edge technologies.
- Visiting local industries and provinces.
- Homestay and learning about traditional culture.
- Presentations on the outcomes of the exchange by participants.
- Follow up discussions among participants and dissemination of information on various communication channels.
- Farewell Party.
Costs
- Round trip international air tickets to Japan by economy class, overseas travel accident insurance, accommodation and transportation in Japan, meals during the program, and admission fees for scheduled activities in Japan are covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Participants shall pay their personal expenses, including passport, visa acquisition, vaccination, excess baggage charge, travel expenses between their home and the designated airport, and purchase of souvenirs/personal goods before or during the program).
Eligibility Criteria
- Being a currently enrolled student in an undergraduate or graduate program and aged from 20 to 25 years on the arrival in Japan and coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, to apply for a great opportunity of personal and professional growth.
- Living in one of the Western Balkans 6 Contracting Parties and holding a passport issued by one of the WB6 (Applicants who have Japanese nationality are NOT eligible).
- Having a good command of English.
- Neither having participated in exchange or similar program(s) by the Government of Japan nor having lived in Japan.
- Respecting the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
- Having a valid passport.
- The language of the program and content will be in English.
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, it is desirable that applicants have interest in Japan or have been involved in studying or activities related to Japan.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro also need to apply for a visa to participate in the program. The organizers will inform the selected participants of the application process once decided.
For more information, visit https://www.rycowb.org/?p=9277