80 high-potential youth from pan-India selected under the prestigious JENESYS 2018 scholarship – a short-term programme funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan – represented India in Japan recently. The prestigious programme is facilitated by AFS Intercultural Programs India.
During the 10 day visit to Japan, the young cultural ambassadors from India successfully furthered the objectives of the programme i.e. promote mutual trust and understanding among the two countries, build a basis for future friendship, cooperation and encourage an understanding of Japan’s economics, society, history, diverse culture, politics and diplomatic relations.
Selected after a multi-layered and competitive selection process, the participants were also exposed to an engaging orientation before their departure. The orientation prepared them on how to make the best of the next 10 days of exchange and turn it into a lifelong cultural relationship. Participants were also made aware of how their journey on the exchange program can help them. Orientation included sessions by experts such as:
- An insightful address by Akira Inoue, second secretary, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi.
- A motivational session by Vijay Michihito Batra, one of the most sought after and trusted motivational speakers especially in the area of leadership who has inspired and engaged with over 200,000 individuals. He is also an expert in Japanese culture and traditions.
- An engaging session by Medhavi Arora – AFS JENESYS participant on year-long programme in 2010. Currently, a Journalist at BBC, India.
On December 5, participants had their post-arrival orientation in Japan conducted by AFS Japan, and thereafter, moved to the local cities and experienced Japanese culture and technology through immersive cultural exchange programmes and home-stays arranged in various places.
| Themes | Number of
participants |
Place |
| Sports Exchange (Hockey) | 20 | Okuizumo Town, Shimane Prefecture |
| Environmental Technology Exchange | 20 | Fukuoka Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture etc |
| Science and Technology Exchange | 20 | Aichi Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture etc. |
| Japanese Communication and Cultural Exchange | 20 | Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture etc. |
JENESYS, which stands for “Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths”, is a people-to-people exchange programme between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.