Good news, and even better news!
Dear Elizabeth,
It was a pleasure speaking with you last month and learning more about your Japan related activities. We were impressed with the enthusiasm with which you are introducing Japan to the students of the Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies. While, unfortunately, we will not be able to extend an invitation to participate in the 2011 Educator’s Study Tour, we would like to extend an invitation to participate in the 2012 Educators Study Tour to Japan, pending funding. Please keep in mind the following points regarding this invitation for the 2012 Educators Study Tour:
1. The invitation is for the 2012 Educators Study Tour only. If you are unable to participate in the 2012 Tour, you will be welcome to re-apply for future tours, but we cannot guarantee participation.
2. The Participant Fee for the 2012 Educators Study Tour is not yet established, and may differ from the fee for the 2011 Tour.
3. You will be responsible to fulfill all obligations of Study Tour Participants, which will be outlined in the application for the 2012 Educators Study Tour, and are subject to change.
4. You will be required to submit the application cover page by December 1, 2011 (receipt deadline), as well as participate in an interview.
5. We will communicate a final deadline to accept or reject this invitation, in writing, in Fall 2011.
6. The invitation is subject to program funding.
Thank you again for your application. The application process for the Study Tour is highly competitive, and the extension of this offer is a reflection of the strength of your application. We hope that you will be able to participate in the 2012 Educators Study Tour to Japan. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Rob Fish
Robert Fish, Ph.D.
Director of Education
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-715-1255
Fax: 212-715-1262
rfish@japansociety.org
www.japansociety.org
aboutjapan.japansociety.org
====================================================================================
I am going to Japan in 2012!!
YATTA!
Now I will admit (and amefurift will attest to this) that when i first got the email, I was really bummed. I wanted to go this year and it felt like I'd just been rejected again. But then she pointed out to me the fact that despite the fact that I was a science teacher, I was being given a spot for a grant for hummanities teachers. And also, what with the recent EQ. it's probably better to go next summer when Japan is back on it's feet again.
In the interim, I signed up for the history class that is being offered at the Japan Society which the study tour folks are required to take. It's called "Japan 1600-1900: From Shogunate to Global Power." It's basically a global history course geared for teachers who are teaching Japanese History. It cost $225.00, but my principal agreed to use school funds pay for it. I just had to pay it out of pocket first and then I got reimbursed.
Did I mention that I'm currently teaching an elective class called "Japanese History and Culture?" I believe this was the tipping point that allowed me to be picked for next year's study tour. During the interview, they mentioned that my application was much stronger this year because I was beginning to teach this class. I'm having such fun with it, since I'm pretty much making it up as I go along.
(not the history part, of course!!)
I've been making it a mixed bag of Japanese history (we've gone through Early Japan with the Jomon/Yayoin through the Kofun period, and then the Nara, Heian, and Kamakura Periods), Japanese writing (been teaching them hiragana), and Japanese Culture (we watch a J-drama). In fact, one of the recent assignments I gave them was, while watching the show BOSS (totally AWESOME show, and I am thrilled BEYOND belief that they are giving it a second season 2 years later starting this April
), write down anything you see during the show that seems strange to you - basically an aspect of Japanese culture you don't understand. It was very interesting, and the students really loved the show itself.
Anyway, that's a long enough update, with lots of good news inside.
It was a pleasure speaking with you last month and learning more about your Japan related activities. We were impressed with the enthusiasm with which you are introducing Japan to the students of the Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies. While, unfortunately, we will not be able to extend an invitation to participate in the 2011 Educator’s Study Tour, we would like to extend an invitation to participate in the 2012 Educators Study Tour to Japan, pending funding. Please keep in mind the following points regarding this invitation for the 2012 Educators Study Tour:
1. The invitation is for the 2012 Educators Study Tour only. If you are unable to participate in the 2012 Tour, you will be welcome to re-apply for future tours, but we cannot guarantee participation.
2. The Participant Fee for the 2012 Educators Study Tour is not yet established, and may differ from the fee for the 2011 Tour.
3. You will be responsible to fulfill all obligations of Study Tour Participants, which will be outlined in the application for the 2012 Educators Study Tour, and are subject to change.
4. You will be required to submit the application cover page by December 1, 2011 (receipt deadline), as well as participate in an interview.
5. We will communicate a final deadline to accept or reject this invitation, in writing, in Fall 2011.
6. The invitation is subject to program funding.
Thank you again for your application. The application process for the Study Tour is highly competitive, and the extension of this offer is a reflection of the strength of your application. We hope that you will be able to participate in the 2012 Educators Study Tour to Japan. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Rob Fish
Robert Fish, Ph.D.
Director of Education
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-715-1255
Fax: 212-715-1262
rfish@japansociety.org
www.japansociety.org
aboutjapan.japansociety.org
====================================================================================
I am going to Japan in 2012!!
YATTA!
Now I will admit (and amefurift will attest to this) that when i first got the email, I was really bummed. I wanted to go this year and it felt like I'd just been rejected again. But then she pointed out to me the fact that despite the fact that I was a science teacher, I was being given a spot for a grant for hummanities teachers. And also, what with the recent EQ. it's probably better to go next summer when Japan is back on it's feet again.
In the interim, I signed up for the history class that is being offered at the Japan Society which the study tour folks are required to take. It's called "Japan 1600-1900: From Shogunate to Global Power." It's basically a global history course geared for teachers who are teaching Japanese History. It cost $225.00, but my principal agreed to use school funds pay for it. I just had to pay it out of pocket first and then I got reimbursed.
Did I mention that I'm currently teaching an elective class called "Japanese History and Culture?" I believe this was the tipping point that allowed me to be picked for next year's study tour. During the interview, they mentioned that my application was much stronger this year because I was beginning to teach this class. I'm having such fun with it, since I'm pretty much making it up as I go along.
(not the history part, of course!!)
I've been making it a mixed bag of Japanese history (we've gone through Early Japan with the Jomon/Yayoin through the Kofun period, and then the Nara, Heian, and Kamakura Periods), Japanese writing (been teaching them hiragana), and Japanese Culture (we watch a J-drama). In fact, one of the recent assignments I gave them was, while watching the show BOSS (totally AWESOME show, and I am thrilled BEYOND belief that they are giving it a second season 2 years later starting this April
), write down anything you see during the show that seems strange to you - basically an aspect of Japanese culture you don't understand. It was very interesting, and the students really loved the show itself.
Anyway, that's a long enough update, with lots of good news inside.