Yukari Shimizu (pictured below) represented her country very proudly at a town wide presentation in Bruno, Saskatchewan on November 29th.  She shared with her guests various facts about Japan, including its  population, land area, international sports, islands, religion and much more.  She gave her guests a taste of sushi and a sip of green tea too!  She has also given presentations at the school and at the Bruno Library in December.  The town of Bruno really enjoys the information that Yukari so proudly shares.

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Helen Lee, a student from Abbotsford, BC left Vancouver International Airport for Japan on Saturday, January 5 to start her learning adventure of a lifetime.  Helen will be studying for a 6 month period and living in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture.

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On December 27, a group of AYP students departed their schools and host families in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to return to Japan.

On December 28, 5 Tokai Gakuen students departed their schools and host families in Saskatchewan to return to Japan.

On January 10, 7 Akenohoshi students departed their schools and host families in Alberta, British Columbia and Alberta to return to Japan.

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish our departing students farewell and to express our sincere thanks to all of our host families that have opened their homes and hearts to our students over the previous year.  Your kindness and dedication makes our Programs possible! 

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GPI Offers New Opportunity for Canadian Students to Visit Japan!

Are you a Canadian high school student (Grades 10 - 12) who is interested in Japan? Are you studying Japanese, either in school or on your own? If so, GPI has the perfect opportunity for you to take your interest in Japan one step further!

GPI is pleased to announce the Discover Japan Program - a full-scholarship opportunity for qualified secondary students to visit Japan on a short-term basis. This Program is scheduled for departure in November, and will take participants on a two-to-three week study tour of Japan's major cultural and historical sites. It will also give participants the opportunity to experience life in a Japanese home through a brief homestay in rural Japan.

GPI is pleased to be able to cover all costs related to this short-term exchange (except spending money and meals purchased outside the host family home). In order to qualify, you must be able to demonstrate a strong interest in Japan and motivation for participating in international exchange. You must also be a student of the Japanese language, either in school or through self-study. In addition, your school must agree to accept a Japanese exchange student for 10 months for no tuition, and your family must host this student for a minimum of 5 months.

Enrolment in this Program is limited to just 20 students from across Canada.

Act now to secure your spot! If you are interested in applying, or for more information, please contact Scott Aalgaard at scott@gpicanada.com.

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