Yamate Exchange
Long term exchange (1 year)
The 1 year exchange program started in 1970, and since then more than 600 students from Australia, New Zealand and Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia) have participated in the year long exchange with Yamate Gakuin High School.
How does it work?
The long term Yamate exchange is a direct exchange. This means that the Alberta student would go to Japan, live with a Japanese family and attend Yamate Gakuin school. During that same period, the Japanese student would live with the Alberta student's family and attend school here.
Students from Australia, New Zealand and Canada spend part of each school day in their own class, studying Japanese language, history and culture, and part of the day in classes with Japanese students.
Most students attain a high standard in Japanese. Many have achieved Level 2 in the Japan Foundation's Japanese Language Proficiency Examination while at Yamate Gakuin.
Where would I go?
Participants in the Yamate Exchange program would attend Yamate Gakuin High School, a private co-educational high school located in Yokohama, Japan.
What is the cost?
Participants are responsible to pay for their airfare, ground transportation, insurance, and spending money. Accommodation and food costs are covered by the Japanese host family. In turn, the Alberta family is responsible to provide accommodation and food as well as a monthly allowance for the Japanese exchange student. Alberta students will receive an allowance of equivalent value from their Japanese host parents. Applicants may also apply for the T. Mikuriya Award. This award provides students with up to $1500.00 to help cover the costs of the exchange.
Who can apply?
The Yamate exchange is open to all Alberta high school students. There is no Japanese language requirement, although selection is partially based on a demonstrated interest in Japanese language and culture. Applicants must be 18 years of age or younger on September 1 of the year they wish to participate. Applicants may turn 19 during the exchange.
How do I apply?
Students may apply for the Yamate 1 year exchange by downloading the Application Form and returning it to:
Yamate/Alberta Student Exchange Program
International Education
Alberta Education
2nd floor, 44 Capital Boulevard
10044 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6
The deadline for applications is mid to late January. Please check the current application form for more specific deadline date.
Short term exchange
This short-term cultural exchange program is designed to give Alberta students an opportunity to learn more about Japan and its culture and to give Japanese students a similar opportunity to learn about Canada.
How does it work?
The short term Yamate exchange sees Japanese students travel to Alberta to live with Alberta families and attend school in Alberta for 2 weeks (generally in April). The following July, Alberta students travel to Japan to visit their Japanese counterparts and study at Yamate Gakuin High School. Approximately 100 students participate in this program every year.
The short term Yamate program rotates through different regions of the province on a three year cycle. In 2006/07 school year, students from the Northern Alberta region are eligible to participate. The rotation for the next few years is as follows:
- 2007/08 - Southern Alberta region
- 2008/09 - Central Alberta region
- 2009/10 - Northern Alberta region
Where would I go?
Participants in the Yamate Exchange program would attend Yamate Gakuin High School, a private co-educational high school located in Yokohama, Japan.
What is the cost?
Participants are responsible to pay for their airfare, ground transportation, insurance, and spending money. Accommodation and food costs are covered by the Japanese host family. In turn, the Alberta family is responsible to cover the accommodation and food costs of the Japanese exchange student.
Who can apply?
The short term Yamate exchange is open to Alberta high school students that attend schools in the region scheduled to participate in the exchange program. There is no Japanese language requirement, although selection is based on a demonstrated interest in Japanese language and culture.
How do I apply?
A local organizing committee plans and coordinates the involvement of local area schools in the short term Yamate exchange. If your school cannot put you in touch with this committee, please contact our office at (780) 427-2035 or exchange.programs@gov.ab.ca. Organizing committees generally begin accepting applications in the fall.
