Study Abroad Coordinator (留学コーディネーター) | Mark Pickard

Study Abroad Coordinator
留学コーディネーター

Introduction

Besides teaching the English language at LIFE Jr. College, I also work as the study abroad coordinator, for it is my specialty.

I have been coordinating various study abroad programs for Japanese students since 2001, so I am quite experienced in the field.

I have coordinated study abroad programs for Japanese students to several different overseas locations such as the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

I am also capable of coordinating various study abroad programs to other foreign countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere.

I provide my Japanese students with total support throughout the process of creating their own personalized overseas study abroad program.

Besides researching thousands of English language schools, universities, four-year colleges, junior colleges, community colleges etc., I have also official visited and toured many colleges and universities.

Additionally, I have met many International Program representatives and directors who have visited me here in Okinawa, Japan.

When recommending an English language school or program to any of my Japanese students my recommendations are based on such factors as:

crime rates and safety of the community,
the quality of the English language program or school,
the cost of the English language program or school,
affordable and secure student housing and accommodations,
the climate and severe weather conditions of the area,
public transportation,
access to shops, restaurants, banks, entertainment, etc.
access hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities,

Long-Term Study Abroad Programs

For Japanese students I recommend long-term study abroad programs to community colleges in the United States and Canada primarily because universities are far more expensive.

It would be incorrect to think that students receive a better education at universities compared to community colleges.

Short-term Study Abroad Programs

For short-term non-visa study abroad programs I recommend my Japanese students study at an English language school abroad because colleges and universities do not normally offer non-visa study abroad programs, but I know of some exceptions.

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of different English language schools in many different countries. Some of these countries include America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere.

Au Pair Study Abroad Program (USA)

For young Japanese women who love children and are thinking about studying abroad I always recommend the Au Pair study abroad program, but only to the United States of America.

The United States has well-written laws that protect both the au pair and the host family. Other countries do not have such protection for the au pair.

Working Holiday Visa Program

Another affordable study abroad opportunity for my Japanese students is the Working Holiday Visa program.

Japan has established the Working Holiday Visa program with numerous countries.

English-speaking countries offering Working Holiday visas to qualified Japanese include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland.

Other European countries that Japan has established the Working Holiday program with include Germany, France, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, Norway and Belgium.

And, there are some Asian countries where young Japanese could go on a Working Holiday including Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

There aren't any working holiday programs to the United States of America.

Study Abroad Coordinator 留学コーディネーター

Study Abroad Coordinator
留学コーディネーター