International Academic Student Program - Study abroad, live with a Japanese family in Osaka, Japan

Please indicate in your application essay your volunteer work experience and/or interests. Safety is OGSHS's number one concern in all volunteer activities. A faculty committee will consider the time demands of your academic courses at Osaka Girls' and the assurance of your personal safety at all times. We require that all international, volunteer plans begin after December 20th for single-term students and after July 20th for year students.

Volunteer opportunities in Calcutta, India with Mother Theresa's "Missionaries of Charity" organization provide a wide-range of demanding but fascinating experiences. Also volunteer work in Uganda (East Africa) working in refugee camps for displaced people along the border with the Sudan may be possible during July and August. Volunteer opportunities also exist in Bangladesh at two extraordinary small schools doing amazing work with children and people with special needs--both of which are now in dire need of funding for bricks and solor panels. For a look at the most exciting, picnic-bus-ride ever, please watch the following 5 minute video. Locally, helping to teach English at Kyoto University's, Kitano Hospital and assisting with food distribution with "Second Harvest" (Osaka) provide on-going chances to meet many new friends outside the classroom and host family.

Please also indicate in your application essay if you are interested in challenging trekking in Nepal -- www.peregrineadventures.com.au/himalaya/ click on "Nepal" and drop down to "Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar".

After three days of language training, varied and safe, well-supervised, volunteer experiences throughout Kathmandu for two weeks are offered with Mr.Tej Shrestha and Mr. Sugandha at www.vsnnepal.org Contact them directly for details.

Please note that the inherent safety risks involved require that your OGSHS teachers must approve all volunteer plans based on your time constraints, flexibility and demonstrated maturity level.