Student Exchange Program Criteria

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROGRAM:

1) Application deadline is May 1, 2010. Download Application [pdf]

2) Preference will be given to students who reside within Bethlehem City limits.

3) Students must be at least in the tenth grade by September 2010 and no older than 20 as of July 1, 2010 .

4) Students must agree to participate in the activities that the Commission organizes for the Japanese students during the summer of 2010 (late-July to mid-August).

S) The family of each applicant will be asked to serve as a host family for one of the incoming Japanese students for about ten days and to participate in other ways which support this exchange (e.g. driving, chaperoning an activity, etc.).

FOLLOWING THE IN-COMING 2010 SUMMER EXCHANGE, IF SELECTED AS ONE OF THE FIVE STUDENTS TO GO TO TONDABAYASHI IN 2010 , EACH STUDENT WILL:

1) Pay their own airfare and personal expenses (ca $2,OOO). Their Japanese host families will provide food, lodging and entertainment during the three-week homestay. [The Commission will arrange for the flights to and from Japan and will seek the least expensive airfare.]

2) Obtain a passport.

3) Provide the Commission with proof of health insurance.

4) Attend all Commission-sponsored functions, consisting of Japanese language and culture classes, orientation meetings, meetings with the Mayor of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem City Council, etc.

5) Agree to have their names and photographs used for program publicity purposes.

6) Agree to travel to and from Japan as a group with no deviations under arrangements made by the Commission.

7) As requested, agree to speak about their experiences in Japan upon return.

If you have any questions about the exchange program or the application procedure, please contact either Jane Schaffer at either 610 865-2082 of jane.schaffer@rcn.com.

Send completed applications to:

The Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission
PO Box 766
Bethlehem , PA 18016-0766

EXCHANGE STUDENT SELECTION CRITERIA

The Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission is seeking a balanced cross-section of students, not all students need be strong in every area.

Specifically, the applicants will be evaluated based on the following characteristics:

A. Behavior Traits:

Maturity: Has the ability to control one's own demeanor and actions; organize one's own time and activity; exercise appropriate judgment in situations.

Self-confidence: The applicant can assert own needs and interests; show leadership ability; project self-assurance.

Flexibility: Can adapt to varied circumstances; can handle change of plan I schedule; interact with others in a formal or informal manner.

Interest and Enthusiasm: Whether the person's basic nature is outgoing or more shy, they are willing to enter into new situations and new relationships readily and can communicate their excitement and enjoyment to others.

B. Interactive and Social Skills Demonstrated during the Exchange:

In observed interaction with American students, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to:

• Interact well with all of the applicants

• Be flexible and adaptable while being part of a group

• Participate in group discussions, trips and projects

• Elicit a positive response from other members of the group.

In observed interaction with Japanese students, the applicant must demonstrate:

• Initiative in meeting and getting to know the Japanese students.

• Continued involvement with the Japanese students in varied activities.

• Respectful and appropriate demeanor toward all Japanese students.

• Evidence of strong interpersonal and supportive relations with one or more Japanese student.

C. Family Support:

The applicant's parents and/or family members will need to show their support of the exchange program by:

• Attending the information sessions.

• Hosting a Japanese student, if possible.

• Supporting the exchange activities (e.g., participating in Commission-sponsored events such as the picnics, offering to drive students to and from local events, etc. ).

D. Interview:

Shortly after the departure of the Japanese students, the Commission will hold a formal interview with each applicant. At this time, Commission members will ask questions that are designed to elicit a sense of the applicant as a whole person – the mixture of student, friend, family member, neighbor, citizen.

1. Presentation Ability.

The applicant must demonstrate:

• The ability to respond clearly, both in speech and in writing.

• The ability to discern differences and similarities between American and Japanese viewpoints, behavior, and demeanor.

• The ability to accurately express their observations about Japanese culture and values.

2. Assessment of the applicant as an individual during the interview.

The applicant must:

• Be able to state his or her interest level and expectation for the exchange program.

• "Sell" his- or herself as an applicant.

• Demonstrate interest, enthusiasm, and a strong personal commitment to the program's goals.

3. Knowledge of Bethlehem .

The applicant must demonstrate a knowledge of the history, current culture, activities, and attractions of the City of Bethlehem.