Globalize DC is now preparing for the launch of our new school year Japan in DC program that will be open at no cost to interested DC public high school students. We’re very excited about the plans we have for this year – and hope many of you will wish to be involved.

photo above: Japan in DC students with Cong. Mark Takano (D-CA)

About Globalize DC

We created Globalize DC in order to expand opportunities for DC public school students to learn about and experience the wider world – through global education, language learning, study abroad, and cross-cultural exchange. We want our students to see their connection to the world – what makes us the same, how we are different, and what we can learn from each other. We want our students to see themselves as actors on a global stage, whether in their future careers, in civic engagement, or in their daily lives. We serve as a bridge between our local students and DC’s unique wealth of globally connected resources, institutions, and people, so they understand and feel empowered to take advantage of the many ways in which the world exists right here in their own hometown. 

At a challenging moment in history, on this special day dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, we draw inspiration from his words, carved into his Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. “We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

This is the belief animating our work.

PLANS FOR OUR NEW 2026 SCHOOL YEAR “JAPAN IN DC” PROGRAM

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of our organization’s Japan programs. Our goal is to bring the many lessons we’ve learned about Japan and the US-Japan relationship to a much wider audience – with DC students taking the lead. We’re able to do this work thanks to a major grant from United States-Japan Foundation. We also wish to acknowledge CEPEX for its generous donation in support of our Japan programs. 

This year our plan is to introduce a school year version of our summer Japan in DC program to a new group of DC public high school students from across the city. Students will investigate, document, and reflect on the presence of Japan in their own city – engaging with a wide variety of people, places, organizations, institutions, and cultural experiences. They in turn will share what they’re learning about Japan and the special nature of the US-Japan relationship with a much wider community – through engaging website content, social media, maps, tours, and public programs. We also plan for the first time to develop social studies curriculum for local K-12 classrooms, based on this same content and real world experiences, with special attention to the lessons of the World War II era and the US-Japan relationship. We have a lot of ideas, and we know our students will as well, so we have much to look forward to. 

Did you know we’ve already published a book based on our students’ work in previous Japan in DC programs? You can purchase one here (use discount code 10YRS for 20% off) to learn more about the program, while also supporting our Japan work financially.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Now we are looking for like-minded members of our community who wish to play a role in these efforts. Interested?

DC high school students: We are beginning our student recruitment efforts now. We encourage all interested students from any DC public high school (DCPS or charter), with time to commit, to apply for this free afterschool program. 

Volunteers and part-time staff: We will hire one part-time staff member as co-leader of the program, in addition to recruiting volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks – both working with students and in other roles.

Technical expertise: We are particularly interested in identifying individuals who are experienced with website design (WordPress), video, graphics (CANVA), and social media.

Teachers and curriculum writers: We are recruiting interested educators to work with us both in developing curriculum and strategies for bringing these resources to DC classrooms and teachers.

Speakers, site visit hosts, and workshop providers are a core part of the program. Many of you have generously worked with us before. We’ll be doing more of this kind of programming in 2026 and will welcome your help again – as well as those who are new to us.

Behind the scenes: Program planning, fundraising, research, partner development, and program promotion are all areas where we can use support.

If you’re interested in possibly being involved with us this year, or simply wish to learn more, please fill out the form below to start the conversation. That includes students interested in applying to Japan in DC. We will respond within a few days.

Anyone with questions can email sally@globalizedc.org. Thank you for helping to spread the word about this great free afterschool opportunity for DC teens.

Globalize DC is currently seeking a dynamic part-time Japanese language teacher for JAPANESE PLUS, our award-winning afterschool Japanese language, culture, and career exposure program for DC public high school students.

Refer to the following links for much more information about Japanese Plus:

Japanese Plus Program Description
SY22-23 Program Highlights
SY23-24 Program Highlights
Student Blog (for a real feel for the program)

This is a Washington, DC-based, in-person program, so applicants must reside in the DC (DMV) area. We will prioritize candidates with relevant teaching credentials and experience with high school students, but we are flexible and open to any candidates who feel they would be right for the position. We will fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate. We are hoping to launch the program later this fall. Please share this announcement with anyone you think might have an interest.

DOWNLOAD THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.

Questions? Feel free to contact sally@globalizedc.org.

In March 2020 we were excitedly working to get ready for that summer’s JAPAN IN DC program. But then COVID struck and all in-person programming was cancelled – everywhere. What an incredible disappointment! If you know JAPAN IN DC, you know that it was created to be an in-person, experiential program for DC high school students. It wouldn’t be the same online. So we’ve waited out the pandemic, and with fingers still crossed, we finally are looking forward to the relaunch of JAPAN IN DC this summer 2023.

With generous support from the United States-Japan Foundation, we have funding in place. Now we’re looking for super interested DC public high school students and two Program Leaders to make this all happen.

About the JAPAN IN DC Program:  Over six weeks (June 26-August 4), students will move around the city to explore and experience a wide variety of people, places, organizations, businesses, government agencies, and cultural institutions in DC with connections to Japan. This is a really fun program – and life-transforming. Students will document their experiences through writing, photography, and other creative expression. This free program will be offered in partnership with the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP), which allows registered students to earn summer pay for participation. Any students even considering applying for JAPAN IN DC should be sure to register with MBSYEP before the February 28 deadline.

To Apply for JAPAN IN DC: Globalize DC will select students for JAPAN IN DC through a citywide application process.  The program is open to DC public high school students (DCPS or charter). Click below for more program details and to submit an application. We plan to accept up to twenty (20) students.

Please help share this information with interested students and parents, as well as teachers, partners, and others who can help us spread the word to DC high school students throughout all 8 wards of the city. You can use the link to our JAPAN IN DC webpage, which will be updated with new information as it develops.

And here’s a downloadable 2023 JAPAN IN DC STUDENT FLYER.

WE ARE ALSO SEEKING TWO DYNAMIC PART-TIME STAFF MEMBERS
FOR THIS SUMMER’S JAPAN IN DC PROGRAM

We are currently recruiting two Co-Teachers to lead this summer’s JAPAN IN DC Program. Ideal candidates would be secondary teachers, international education professionals, JET alumni, graduate students, or others with relevant experience. This is a fun program, for students and adult leaders, with significant movement across the city. High energy, dedication to high school student learning, and knowledge of DC geography a must.

Anyone with questions can email sally@globalizedc.org. Thanks for helping us spread the word about this great (paid) summer opportunity for DC teens.

FALL STUDENT APPLICATION UPDATE
Deadline: September 24, 2022

Visit www.japaneseplus.org/japanese-plus/apply-for-japanese-plus/
for current information and application link.

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We’re thrilled to finally be able to announce the return next fall of our free afterschool Japanese language, culture and career exposure program for DC public high school students. It’s been a long wait, due to COVID, but we’re getting ready to come back with our popular Japanese Plus program next school year, thanks to a generous grant from the US-Japan Foundation. This is a fun but intensive program that meets twice a week throughout the school year – one weekday after school (possibly virtual) and Saturday mornings (and some Saturday afternoons). Students who will be 9th, 10th, or 11th graders next school year in either a DCPS or DC public charter school are eligible to apply. We will accept up to 20 students. Japanese Plus is a great program for students with a passion for Japan and an interest in possibly including Japan in their future college, career, and life plans. We are beginning the student application process this summer. Any student with interest or possible interest in Japanese Plus should take the following steps. 1. Check out this Globalize DC:Japan website for more information on the program. Be sure to read some of our Student Blog. This should give you a good feel for the program and why students love it! 2. Fill out our Japanese Plus Student Interest Form. This way we’ll know who you are and will be able to invite you to any future online information sessions so that we can share more about the program, the application process, and answer any questions you may have. It’s a very quick form that shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes. 3. Be sure you check your email address for emails we send you. This will be our primary way of communicating with you! 4. We will hold our first online Japanese Plus Information Session on Tuesday, June 28 from 5:30-6:00 pm. Click HERE to join us. Anyone who fills out the Japanese Plus Student Interest Form will receive notice of future sessions. Any questions? Email sally@globalizedc.org any time.