Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) will host American students in Japan for a new internship program partnering with the TOMODACHI Initiative, as U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy announced today. This program is a direct result of a joint statement by President Obama and Prime Minister Abe in April to boost internship opportunities in Japan for American students. TUJ will play an active role in achieving the bilateral goal of doubling U.S.-Japan student exchanges by the year 2020.
TUJ, which has been in Japan since 1982 and is Japan’s only foreign full university program, will bring to bear its many years of experience creating and maintaining internships with a wide range of public and private entities including the U.S. embassy, GE, Delta, IBM, and AIG. Interns will work 140 to 184 hours per semester at their sponsoring organizations and earn three to four college credits in 10 weeks (summer semester) or 14 weeks (fall and spring semesters).
The TOMODACHI Initiative will grant each participant a one-time scholarship of up to US$5,000 and provide participants with opportunities to interact with other Japanese and American students on issues relevant to strengthening U.S.-Japan ties.
About the TOMODACHI initiatives
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs.