Suggestions from our 2010 Pilot Project on Exchanges with Japan

See Report on Japan/Alberta Summer 2010 Project

• Welcome dinner a great idea, maybe monjya-yaki rather than sushi
• Visit to Edo-Tokyo Museum as an introduction to the culture, especially related to the Grade 8 curriculum
• Other places that were important to visit:
• Hamarikyu Garden
• Meiji Shrine
• Kanda Myojin
• Imperial Palace
• Holy Resurrection Cathedral
• School program went well, continue with the 2 components: 
• English and Internet exchange, 
• participating in cultural clubs
• Develop Internet connections using Skype, google, and other technologies
• Encourage families to be involved with Japanese people especially those who are visiting from Japan, as part of developing students as Global Citizens.
• Host Japanese students and introduce them to local heritage sites see St.Albert post.
• Network with Japanese/Canadian organizations. see Japan Today
• Look into options for visiting other Japanese centers that have connections with Alberta and/or the curriculum:
• Hokkaido: connections like Stony Plain. See Japan-Canada Twinnings in Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary website for more information
• Other ideas: Yokohama, Kyoto, Nagasaki
• Make contacts with schools in Alberta that teach Japanese
• Make contacts with exchange programs at Universities and Colleges like those at the UofA, for an example see The Hokkaido Teachers of English Program (HTEP)
• Make contacts with Alberta/Japan organizations like the Alberta Japan Twinned Municipalities Association see http://www.ajtma.com/about.php
• See LACOMBE & DISTRICT RIKUBETSU FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY,  for a Junior High exchange program.
• Make contacts with other organizations see http://www.afscanada.org - http://www.interntraining.com/