Call for Applications: Western Balkans Meet Japan – A Bridge into the Future

Taking place from Feb 13-Feb 20, 2024, this program welcomes 14 undergraduate or graduate students aged 20 years old or older, coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to apply for a great opportunity of personal and professional growth.

Mandatory Assignments for All Participants

• Each participant must implement all the requirements
  • Presentation and implementation of your action plan: Participants are required to make action plans about what they learned in this program and how they might stay connected to Japan after returning to their home place and report their implementation to JICE.
  • Share Experiences through social media: Each participant will actively share their one’s experience during both the online pre-exchange program and the stay in Japan as well as convey information about Japan including one regarding Japanese society, history, culture, politics, economics, and diplomatic relations through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and so on, during both the program and within 3 months after the program.
  • Responding to questionnaires: Participants willsubmit answers to online questionnaires (after the online pre-exchange program, during the program in Japan, and after 3 months) to JICE on time.

Eligibility Criteria

• Being a currently enrolled student in an undergraduate or graduate program and aged 20 years old or older on arrival in Japan.
• 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.
• 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.

Conditions in Japan

• All participants, including supervisors, must attend all scheduled programs and follow the rules/guidelines/directions given by JICE.
• Participants who are disruptive to the program may be dismissed and are responsible for leaving Japan at their own expense.
• 2-3 participants each will stay in a twin or triple room at the hotel., except for the chaperon. It depends on various conditions.
• Each participant will stay in a single room.
• When requested, JICE will try to arrange the following* for religious reasons. However, JICE cannot guarantee their availability in all locations.
• time and place for prayers
• meals suitable for food restriction for religious reasons.

Ineligible

• The following are NOT permitted.
  • To come early to Japan before the program or remain in Japan after the program
  • To take a different flight designated one by the program
  • To change accommodation (hotel or room assignment) designated by the program
  • To skip any elements of the official program, including scheduled meals or visits, for personal or business reasons such as meetings with relatives, friends, business partners in Japan, etc.
  • To be accompanied by someone else
  • To travel to a third place on the way to Japan or back to home.

For more information, visit RYCO.