Providing powerful international experiences to youth from diverse backgrounds
We foster a global mindset that embraces diverse perspectives and collaboration with individuals from different backgrounds through international exchange.
WHO WE AREThe world we want to create
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The ability to learn from individuals with different backgrounds and engage in dialogue to find common grounds will expand the possibilities for one’s life and community.
Young people with such abilities are indispensable for solving the increasingly complex global issues. The world is full of cultural and language barriers; however, young people who are rich in their sensibilities have the potential to transcend these barriers. What is overwhelmingly lacking are opportunities for real international (exchange) experiences that will bring out their potential.
Unfortunately, there is a great disparity in international opportunities based on region and socioeconomic status. Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC) has been providing programs that utilize ICT and innovative approaches to bring life-changing international experiences to many young people from diverse regions in the United States and Japan who would otherwise have limited access to international exchange.
KEY PROGRAMGlobal Classmates
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Fostering a global perspective in the classroom
KAC pairs a high school Japanese class in the U.S. with a high school English class in Japan to form a joint class. Over the course of six-months, students exchange messages, photos, and videos on a variety of topics in English and Japanese every week during class. Some pairs also incorporate a live video exchange. The curriculum is built on three pillars: ① cultural understanding, ② collaborative language learning, and ③ fostering international friendship, and customized to fit the needs of each pair. KAC’s bilingual coordinators collaborate with the teachers to facilitate the exchange.
*Teachers must apply to this program.
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Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (Illinois)Jaylen Lockhart
I realized what the kotowaza, “a frog in a well cannot imagine the ocean” meant when speaking with the students in the Global Classmates program.
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Winston Churchill High School (Oregon)Sequoia Connell
From topics about what we want to do in the future and how we want to live our lives, to just sharing cute pictures of our pets, I have been able to use my study of Japanese to actually connect with people.
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Asaka Reimei High School (Fukushima)Mone Ozawa
The experience of seeing how the daily life of American students were all completely new to me and what I considered ordinary culture and customs were unusual to my partner classmates made me realize that the world is much bigger than what I had imagined and full of fun new discoveries.
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Jonouchi High School（Tokushima)Kotaro Takaishi
I learned that the desire to express yourself and enjoy conversations is the foundation of communication. I was able to experience and learn that there is more to communication than what you can find in a textbook or reference books.
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OUR PROGRAMSGlobal Classmates Summit
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Cultivating the next generation of leaders
Global Classmates Summit is a summer program that brings together outstanding Japanese and American high school students who are selected from the participants of the Global Classmates exchange program. We support the growth of the next generation of leaders with international perspectives through meetings with world leaders, workshops with experts, and discussions among the participants. They engage in high-level, in-depth discussions that is impressive for high school students to achieve.
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OUR PROGRAMSGlobal Classmates Community
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Take the first step alongside those who share your aspirations
KAC created this community to support students and young professionals who seek to enrich their lives and careers through international experiences and perspectives. We offer online events featuring engaging speakers from diverse fields. Please join the community!
(Educators who share KAC’s vision are also welcome to join the community!)
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Get involved with KAC
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For schools
We are looking for teachers who are passionate about providing international opportunities to their students. Please contact us for more information!
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For Corporations ＆ Foundations
Please consider supporting our efforts to provide exchange opportunities to students and schools in various environments through a donation or sponsorship. Help us unlock the potential for youth who will lead our future.
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For individuals
If you seek to enrich your life or career with international perspectives, regardless of your location, please join our community!
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