School Trips to Japan: Travel Grant for Accompanying Teacher
NB: Visit Eric Lindblom’s site ‘Running School Trips to Japan’ for heaps of useful information from and for NZ trip leaders.
Are you leading a school trip to Japan? Are you struggling to raise funds? Do you feel uncomfortable asking parents to factor in your costs when fund raising for their children’s trip?
Blush no more….
Apply to Sasakawa for a $1,500 travel grant to contribute towards your airfare.
“Spending time in
the country in which a target language is spoken has got to be the most
motivating experience possible for a language learner".
"Nothing beats
that feeling of having made yourself understood in a language other than
your own.”
Recognising these claims from language teachers and students in New Zealand, in 2003 the Management Committee for the Sasakawa Fellowship Fund initiated a grant for teachers of Japanese accompanying school groups to Japan.
In general a grant will only be awarded to groups comprising 6 or more students. Only one grant will be awarded per school travelling, and a maximum of 3 grants will be awarded to one school in a six year period. In the case of secondary school groups, travellers should be current students of Japanese. If the majority, but not all travellers are Japanese language students, please specify what the remainder of the group are studying.
The number and size of grants awarded each year varies. In 2003, 20 grants of $2,000 were awarded, 30 in 2004, and 40 in 2005, 2006, and 2007. 35 grants of $1500 each have been awarded for trips in 2008 and 35 grants of $1500 each are available for 2009 trips. As at November 2008, already 29 have been approved.
Important note: Apply at the beginning of your planning process. At least 15 schools running trips in 2008 missed out on grants because all 35 had been approved by November 2007. They are approved on a first-in first-served basis provided criteria is met.
How to Apply:
Simply complete the application form below. Please contact us if you have any questions.
A two stage process is involved in securing the award.
Apply as soon as you have dates, a rough itinerary, and an idea of numbers of
travellers. If an award is approved, you will be advised promptly.
When you have receipts confirming your purchase of travel etc, send copies to Naomi Collins, together with a final itinerary, confirmed passenger list, confirmation that the majority of travellers are students of Japanese, and information on how you wish the grant to be paid. Payment of the $1,500 will be actioned upon receipt of these documents, but please note that payment can take up to a month.
See
reports and photos from schools which have received these grants
Application form