NYC opens 2012 Japan exchange program to university students

A hundred Filipino university students have a chance to visit Japan for free under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program, the National Youth Council (NYC) Tuesday. The JENESYS Program is an annual exchange program under the Japan International Cooperation Center, the Japan Information and Culture Center of the Japanese Embassy and the NYC. Applications for the program were formally opened last week. Students with good moral character and a weighted average grade of at least 2.25 or 85 percent may apply for the program. Students who have yet to travel to Japan are preferred, according to the program’s qualifications. “This will be a chance for them to learn everything about Philippine-Japan relations; Japanese culture; and issues on technology, environment, tourism, and health. They will interact with experts and will have a chance to live with a Japanese family. So anyone who’s interested in the Japanese culture is most welcome to apply," said NYC chair Leon Flores III. “Student ambassadors" will be visiting Japan from May 8-16, 2012, where they will be exposed to different facets of Japanese culture. In particular, the program will focus on disaster management and recovery programs. To be considered for the program, applicants must write an essay on his or her reasons for applying, what he or she can contribute to the recovery of a community after environmental disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, and his or her plan of actions after returning from Japan. — BC/VS, GMA News