​The Uchinaa Junior Study Program (formerly the Junior Study Tour) is an annual immersion program that brings middle and high school students to their ancestral islands.

Sponsored by the Okinawa Prefectural Government, elected students are given an all-expense-paid trip to study Okinawan history, culture, society, and diaspora, with an emphasis on nature, peace, and identity. Students will also be given the opportunity to interact with Uchinaanchu from around the world as well as local students in Okinawa, with the goal of creating strong bonds and deepening the students' understanding of their Okinawan roots. The program also hopes to broaden the international outlooks of local Okinawan students, nurturing the generation that will shoulder the "Uchinaa Network".

PLEASE NOTE:
This page is intended for members of the Okinawa Association of America, Inc. in Southern California. ​Please contact your nearest kenjinkai/association to apply!
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Read the following information carefully and fill out the interest form below. The application process is extensive, so please do not wait until the last minute.
2024 APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Please fill out this interest form and we will contact you about next year's application:

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicant must have Okinawan ancestry
  • Applicant must be between 12 – 20 years old (as of April 2, 2024) and enrolled in middle or high school
  • Applicant’s parents must be current OAA members
  • Applicant must be in good health and able to handle group living
  • Applicant must have access to a personal computer with webcam or a smartphone at home and stable internet connection
  • Applicant should have some level of Japanese language proficiency to be able to facilitate active exchange with local participants in Okinawa
  • This must be the applicant's first time participating in the Junior Study Program (as a special 2024 exception, 2021 and 2022 participants can apply again)
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is intended for members of the Okinawa Association of America, Inc. located in Los Angeles, CA. If you are interested in your child applying for this program, please contact your nearest kenjinkai / association to apply.

DEADLINE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2024
It may be delivered in person, mailed, or emailed, but it MUST be in the OAA office before 4 P.M. Pacific Time. The application process is extensive, so please do not wait until the last minute.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Each overseas kenjinkai / association may nominate a candidate(s) who will become active in their local community after the program and will grow up to help strengthen ties between their home country and Okinawa. The International Exchange Division of the Okinawa Prefectural Government will make the final selections. (NOTE: Kenjinkai / association membership and submission of application do not guarantee acceptance into the program)

REQUIREMENTS

All forms will need to be submitted in BOTH English and Japanese
  • The office can assist with the Japanese application form, but we encourage applicants to first seek help from Japanese-speaking parents, relatives, or friends.
  • Two (2) copies of applicant’s passport picture (4 cm x 3 cm)
  • One-page essay ("Identity as an Uchinaanchu")

PROGRAM DETAILS

(Subject to change)

2024 SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
  • Part 1 (ONLINE): June 30th
  • Part 2 (ONLINE): July 7th
  • Part 3 (OKINAWA): July 28th – August 3rd

STUDY PROGRAM
During the program, students will be learning about the following areas in Okinawa Culture: 
  • Nature Study: Learn about the importance of the natural environment of Okinawa, its flora, and fauna
  • History Study: Learn about historic Okinawan landmarks, history and the Ryūkyū Dynasty era
  • Culture Study: Learn about crafts and performing arts born from Okinawa's history
  • Peace Study: Learn about the history of the war in Okinawa and think about peace
  • Social Studies: Learn about the daily life and the current social situation in Okinawa
  • Emigration Study: Learn about the history of emigration in Okinawa, the Worldwide Uchinaanchu Festival, and Worldwide Uchinaanchu Day while reaffirming Uchinaanchu identities

​ASSIGNMENTS DURING PROGRAM
  • Present the immigration history of your family, region or kenjinkai / association where you live
  • Participate in social network services (SNS) and interact with other participants
  • Submit questionnaires and study reports during the program, as well as written feedback after the program

OVERSEAS YOUTH LEADER


​The Overseas Youth Leader will make use of their experience participating in past Junior Study Tour programs and/or Uchinaa Junior Study Program. In order to allow the program to run efficiently, they will be treated as one of the staff. Specifically, they will be responsible for helping to coordinate the program in advance through online meetings with the team, actively interacting with other participants on social network services before the program and facilitating overseas participants in online programs with in-prefecture and overseas participants during the program.
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ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS FOR OAA MEMBERS
  • Applicant must have Okinawan ancestry
  • Applicant must be between 20 – 30 years old (as of April 2, 2024)
  • Applicant’s parents must be current OAA members
  • Applicant must have participated in the Uchinaa Junior Study Tour or Uchinaa Junior Study Program
  • Applicant must have relatives or friends in Okinawa available for applicant’s homestay (a few days)
  • Applicant must be in good health and able to handle group living
  • Applicant must have access to a personal computer with webcam or a smartphone at home and stable internet connection
  • Applicant must possess a daily conversational level of Japanese language and speak the language of the country where they currently reside
  • Applicant must be available to participate in the whole program
  • This must be the applicant's first time participating in the Junior Study Program (as a special 2024 exception, applications from 2021 and 2022 participants will be accepted)
​NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION
All forms will need to be submitted in BOTH English and Japanese
  • The office can assist with the Japanese application form, but we encourage applicants to first seek help from Japanese-speaking parents, relatives, or friends.
  • Two (2) copies of applicant’s passport picture (4 cm x 3 cm)
  • One-page essay ("What is necessary for the succession and development of the Uchinaa Network?")

    YOUTH LEADER INTEREST FORM
OKINAWA ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC. | 16500 S Western Ave #103, Gardena, CA 90247