Community Programs
Join the Showa Boston community in three unique ways
Which of the following best describes you or what you’re looking for?
#1 Showa Friendship Circle
FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES
Interested in learning about Japan, introducing American culture, and developing new friendships?
Families and individuals are welcome to join this program which matches Showa students with community volunteers.
WHAT IS THE SHOWA FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE?
The Showa Friendship Circle (SFC) matches pairs or triads of Showa students with community volunteers (Circle Volunteers) for intercultural exchange, conversational exchange, and recreational activities. Circle Volunteers and students spend time doing fun, interesting activities together. In addition, some Circle Volunteers open their homes to Showa students for meals or just relaxing.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO TOGETHER?
Students want to experience “real” American life, so most of what you do in your daily life will be new and interesting for them. Some suggestions recommended by veteran Circle Volunteers are:
Sharing photos, which often leads to talking about differences in American and Japanese lifestyles.
Cooking a meal at your home, with the students helping you shop for and prepare the food.
Visiting friends or relatives, especially for special celebrations such as birthdays and holidays.
Playing sports and doing outdoor activities, attending a local school or professional sporting events.
Playing card games together such as Uno, or board games like Scrabble where the students practice English.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED AS A CIRCLE VOLUNTEER?
Before new Circle Volunteers are matched with Showa students, they are asked to participate in an SFC Orientation led by the Coordinator. This orientation provides an opportunity for you to visit Showa for a student-led campus tour and a discussion with the Coordinator. It is also designed to clarify expectations and to explain the administrative and intercultural aspects of SFC. In addition, you will receive more details about the program guidelines. These operational guidelines attempt to balance the spontaneous, independent nature with Japanese people's more conservative, protective nature. Finally, after you are matched with Showa students, the coordinator provides support to ensure that everyone has a successful experience.
#2 College Connection Program
Fall Program for Boston-area College Students - Applications due October 1, 2023
Are you a Boston-area college student interested in introducing Japanese students to your daily life?
The College Connection Program (CCP) is an intercultural exchange opportunity between students from Japan studying at Showa Boston Institute and Boston-area students, primarily studying at the Colleges of the Fenway. The Boston-area students work as College Connectors (CCs), bringing Showa Boston students to their schools for structured “hangouts.” These meetings provide a chance for Showa students to experience American college life while offering Boston-area students an opportunity to globalize their resume before, after, or in place of study abroad while gaining a unique insight into the Japanese culture.
Throughout CCP College Connectors and Showa, students learn and experience cultural differences in a casual and open environment. Together, CCs and Showa students decide when, where, and what they would like to do for each meeting. The key to this program is to build relationships between college students with different cultural and linguistic perspectives.
#3 Summer Friendship Program
Summer Program for Boston-area 5th and 6th graders
DATES: Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9
TIME: 8:30 AM TO 4:30 PM
COST: $700
Join us for our annual Showa Boston Summer Friendship Program AND make friends from Japan!
We invite 5th and 6th-grade children to apply to become “Ambassadors for Boston.” Participate in week-long activities on the Showa Boston campus with our visiting Japanese 5th-grade children from Showa Tokyo. Local participants will learn about the Japanese language and culture and share their knowledge about American history and culture with their new friends. In addition, local participants interested in making international friends or sharing their enthusiasm for the city of Boston are encouraged to apply.
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