AIC Volunteer
Information on registering as an AIC Volunteer (volunteer guides, homestay volunteers, event planning volunteers).
Purpose & Aim
This program encourages active participation in various international exchange activities, which facilate the cross-cultural understanding, friendship and good will among Japanese and the international community in order to promote international exchange at the grassroots level.
Program Details
Volunteer Guides
Volunteers who interpret and guide for foreigners during various international programs and events organized by Asahikawa City and/or non-profit organizations.
In addition, volunteer guides can provide multilingual support at the center's Information Counter.
Homestay Volunteers
This program aims to deepen cross-cultural understanding and friendship by inviting homestay volunteers to host foreign visitors in their homes, allowing them to experience domestic life in Japan.
Event Planning Volunteers
Volunteers take on the responsibilities for planning and managing international exchange events sponsored by the AIC.
Prerequisites
Volunteer Guides
Ability to speak a foreign language and posses an understanding and enthusiasm for cross-cultural communication.
Homestay Volunteers
Have approval and endorsement from the whole family. A household willing to host a foreign visitor accommodatingly.
Event Planning Volunteers
Have an understanding of, as well as enthusiasm for cross-cultural and international exchange.
Registration Form
Registration is required through the designated application form. Please note that there are additional steps for registration.
Dispatch Volunteer Application
Event organizers seeking to have volunteers dispatched to international exchange events or activities, or groups seeking arrangements for homestays are each required to use the designated request form. In the case of a homestay, applications must be made at least 4 weeks in advance of the desired date.
Click here .
Activity Requests
Once a request for a volunteer or homestay has been received, it will go through a screening process. If the application is approved and the agreement of the registered volunteer or household is received, we will proceed with processing the volunteer/homestay request. Please be aware that we may not be able to comply with all requests.
Responsibility for Expenses
- No compensation will be provided for the volunteer guide's activities. The applicant will be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation that accompany the volunteer guide's activities.
- Regarding homestay placements, there wll be no remuneration provided. However, applicants will be responsible for the reimbursement of expenses that accompany the homestay volunteer activities (￥1,500 Per Day).
Responsibility for Safety
- The volunteer quide and applicant must take sufficient care not to sustain any loss or injury arising from accidents or nonperformance of agreements related to the volunteer guide's activities. In the event of a loss or injury sustained by the volunteer guide or applicant, the Asahikawa International Committee will accept no responsibility to pay compensatory expenses.
- In the event of an accident that occurs during a homestay, the Asahikawa International Committee will not be responsible for the hosting household or the applicant. Furthermore, the Asahikawa International Committee will not be responsible for homestay arrangement cancellations due to emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances.
Insurance for Volunteer Activities
The Asahikawa International Committee provides volunteer activity insurance for all its registered volunteers. Volunteer activity insurance allows for compensation for volunteers in the event of an accident sustained while performing volunteer activities in Japan.
Cancellation of Volunteer Membership
- Volunteer Guides
(1)When a request for withdrawal is made.
(2) When a reason arises that deems the individual is unsuitable to be a Volunteer Guide. - Homestay Volunteers
(1) When a request for withdrawal is made.
(2) When a reason arises that goes against the purpose of this program. - Event Planning Volunteers
(1) When a request for withdrawal is made.
For more detailed information regarding the Asahikawa International Committee Volunteer Registration System (Volunteer Guides, Homestay Volunteers, Event Planning Volunteers), please contact using the information the below.
Volunteer Guides
International volunteers use their language skills to volunteer as foreign language interpreters and translators. Their duties vary drom guiding foreign guests around the city and sightseeing areas, to serving as interpreters at receptions and other events.
Anyone with an interest in languages and enthusiasm for international exchange can register. The office will match requests according to language proficiency, so please feel free to ask about whatthings you can do and the types of opportunities that are available.
Regarding Volunteer Recruitment
We accept applicants with experience in any language. We are especially seeking applicants who can speak Chinese and Korean. During registration we will ask about your language ability. We will also be asking about your experiences in overseas travel, residency abroad, and any other similar experiences for our reference.
Following registration, please expect to receive volunteer requests from our office whenever we receive inquiries from foreign visitors. Please take part in volunteer activities when it is convenient for you.
We have a designated registration form available. As we cannot process registrations via phone or e-mail, please apply in person at the Asahikawa International Center.
Main Activities
* Participation in skill development seminars (Medical English Seminar , tourism seminars, cross-cultural understanding seminars, etc.)
*City/Sightseeing Guides for Foreign Visitors (If requested, there maybe occassions to guide visitors around downtown and its surrounding areas )
*International Center Information Counter Aide (Assistance in areas such as tourism information inquiries, guidance, interpretation, and using the center's facilities)
*Translation of Letters and Other Personal Documents
*Interpretation at Meetings and Receptions
Various activities are available depending on requests. Please feel free to ask us about them.
Homestay Volunteers
The Asahikawa International Committee has approximately 50 households registered as host families to provide a friendly homestay experience for foreigners. Each year, we match numerous applicants with host families, fulfilling homestay requests from JICA visiting researchers, individual travelers, exchange students, and others.
What is a Homestay?
A homestay is an experience in which a visitor from another culture stays in a local home with a local host family for a set period of time. By living together and experiencing the customs and culture of the foreign homestay guest,, both the hosts and the guest can foster mutual understanding.
Who are Homestay Volunteers?
The Asahikawa International Committee (AIC) works to carry out grassroots exchange between city residents and foreigners residing in Japan. Our international volunteers serve as the bridge which makes this kind of exchange possibleand homestay volunteers make up a part of this program.
Becoming a Host Family…
In order to register as a homestay volunteer, it is first necessary to obtain the the approval of every member of your family. Please be aware that without the consent of all family members, we cannot proceed with registration.
1. Application Form Completion/Submission
Please write in your family’s information. Afterwards, we would then conduct an interview at our office at the Asahikawa International Center regarding your family composition, foreign language abilities, as well as your personal preferences.
2. Registration Complete
We will provide information regarding homestay requests at your family's convenience.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a homestay family, please contact us using the information below.
Event Planning Volunteers
These volunteers take part in the planning and execution of events held by the Asahikawa International Committee. Event Planning volunteers act as a bridge between city residents and foreign residents by providing ideas for events and helping with event preparation and execution.
Many of our registered volunteers may feel uncertain about their language skills, but they are eager to learn about international cultures and seek opportunities to interact with people from other countries. These events also provide a chance for local Japanese residents to connect, and each year, we collaborate to plan a variety of exchange activities. If you're interested, we encourage you to reach out to us.
Recruitment
Anyone who has a strong interest in international exchange can apply. Foreign language abilities are not required.
Main Activities
Volunteers participate from the initial planning stages all the way to the final execution of events held by the Asahikawa International Committee.
(Event examples)
Friendship Party
Happy Halloween Week
Cooking Class “Experience the World through Local Ingredients”
We can also host events proposed by volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to form groups and seek out activities on their own in order to further expand their circle of exchange.
After registration, we will inform you of the meetings for the various events. Each event may have as many as 3 planning meetings. Please participate when it is convenient for you. We are actively seeking volunteers who are excited to help create international exchange events in Asahikawa.
