Trip Updates - November 2023

Please see below for a copy of our trip brochure, details on the trip cost and payments plus a frequently asked questions section.

Don't miss your chance! We currently only have a few spots available. If you are interested in signing up or have questions, please email the the committee at reddeer.japan.exchange@gmail.com.

We will send you the sign up link, instructions for paying the deposit and a link to complete your teacher references - you can get started on the references right now if you wish - Teacher Reference Forms:

• You are being asked to find two teachers who can be a reference for you as some of you we know and others we do not. This gives us the opportunity to see if your teachers recommend you for this experience. Please give them the link below for them to complete the reference. The teachers are to fill out the form using their email, not yours. Thank you. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/japan-reference

Japan Exchange  - Cost and Payment Schedule & Passports

• As of October 31, 2023 the exchange trip cost is has been set at $3600 but is subject to change based on airline charges and partipant numbers. We have confirmed our flights to Japan with WestJet. We will be flying direct from Calgary to Narita (Tokyo) on the Boeing 787 DreamLiner!

• A $600 deposit is due upon sign up by the end of September, 2023.

• A $600 payment is due at the end of each month from October 2023 to February 2024.

• There is a total of 6 payments of $600 with the final payment of $600 due by February 28, 2024.

• A deposit of $200 will be non-refundable by October 31, 2023.

• An additonal $400 will be non-refundable by January 31, 2024.

• Participants have the option to pay the trip fee in full at any time.

• If you need to make alternate arrangements, please contact the committee.

• Participants who are more than 7 days late making a payment, without prior communication with the committee will be subject to a $50 late fee.

• If a participant is unable to host, there is a minimum $600 fee to cover the costs of another host family. This is at the discretion of the exchange committee.

• Participants must possess a valid passport that is current for at least 6 months from the return date of the trip of August 4, 2024. Your passport must be valid until at least February 4, 2025. 

• Any students with a non-Canadian passport must be a Permanent Resident of Canada and is responsible for applying for any entry visas applicable to the passport they possess.

• If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the committee at reddeer.japan.exchange@gmail.com.

Updated: November 4, 2023

Japan Exchange Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

• Central Alberta Yamate Exchange Committee members:

  • • • • • Jeff Lerouge, Notre Dame High School

          • Melanie Roth, Notre Dame High School

          • Brad Wolfe, St. Joseph High School

          • Rod Andrews, Innisfail High School

• Central Alberta schools have participated in this exchange 11 times since 1988

• The exchange occurs annually in Alberta and alternates between Central Alberta, Edmonton and Calgary/Medicine Hat every year.

  • • • • • Central Alberta 2018

          • Edmonton 2019

          • Calgary 2023

          • Central Alberta & Medicine Hat 2024

          • Edmonton 2025

          • Calgary 2026

          • Central Alberta 2027

          • Edmonton 2028

• The exchange will be open to students at Notre Dame, St. Joseph and Innisfail high schools for students in grades 10, 11 or 12 in the 2023-24 school year. As this is a shared trip, spots may be limited.

• Yamate Gakuin High School is located in Yokohama:

  • • • • • https://www.yamate-gakuin.ac.jp/english.html

• Yamate Gakuin High School has exchanges with schools in both Canada and the United States. When we travel to Japan in the summer, students from other North American schools will be on the same trip.

  • • • • • Victoria, British Columbia

          • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

          • Ottawa and Kitchener, Ontario

          • Halifax, Nova Scotia

          • Charlotte, North Carolina

          • Yakima, Dayton, Walla Walla and Pasco, Washington

          • Elkhart and Fort Wayne, Indiana

• Traditionally Yamate students are hosted in pairs with an local family and Alberta students pair up to be hosted together in a Japanese home. Hosting students from Japan is part of what makes this an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. You may not necessarily be hosted by the students you have hosted in Alberta.

• Websites worth checking out:

  • • • • https://www.yokohamajapan.com/things-to-do/T01.php

        • https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html

        • https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0001016/

        • https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html

        • https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/

• Please email reddeer.japan.exchange@gmail.com if you have any questions.

• We look forward to travelling with you to Japan next year! 

Last updated November 4, 2023