Apply Now to Support the TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program in California

Residents in California: Support Japanese Students on the TOMODACHI SoftBank Summer 2015 Leadership Program

Help Japanese high school students from Tohoku have a meaningful and life-changing experience on the TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program by being a resident advisor (RA), camp director, program coordinator, mentor, homestay host, and/or homestay manager between July 22 and August 12, 2015. 

The TOMODACHI SoftBank Summer 2015 Leadership Program is an intensive three week program for Japanese high school students from Tohoku focusing on global leadership development and community service designed in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley. Students will learn leadership skills, and develop individual community service action and volunteer projects to implement in their home communities. The program will feature students living in residence at UC Berkeley, a weekend homestay, social and sightseeing activities, along with exposure to American culture and values.

Students will engage in a participatory learning process based on the Y-PLAN methodology (developed by UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities & Schools), which guides students through a process to engage real-world stakeholders and participants in global sustainability projects. The program design incorporates community service projects, cultural enrichment activities, global skills training, and other types of experiential individual and group learning to develop civic responsibility and commitment to communities as well as inspiring future leaders to be agents of positive change.

There are several ways to participate:

Resident Advisor (RAs): Serve as academic coaches while providing overall support for students. Coordinate/run a series of evening and weekend social/fun events. Live in the dorms at UC Berkeley alongside students. Japanese language skills required. (Paid position)

Camp Director: Responsible for on-site supervision of program including students and staff. Manage evening and weekend social/fun events. Oversee scheduling of activities, meals, staff time-off and and overall program operations. Japanese language skills NOT required. (Paid position)

Program Coordinator: Under the direction and in partnership with the Program Director, prepare all facets of programming including, but not limited to housing, meals, activities. Coordinate and run day to day logistics, identify needs in planning and during execution of program. Administrative duties as necessary. Japanese language skills NOT required. (Paid position)

Mentors: Local high school and college students that spend time with the students exposing them to American culture. Flexible time commitment. Recognition certificate awarded at end of program. Japanese language skills NOT required but recommended. (Volunteer position)

Homestay: Participants will stay with a local family during the second weekend. (Volunteer position)

Homestay Manager: Responsible for recruiting local families and overseeing the homestay experience. Extensive familiarity with the Bay Area, particularly the East Bay and Bay Area organizations. Japanese language skills NOT required. (Paid position)

Please contact David Beiser at dbeiser50@gmail.com for detailed job descriptions or more information.