UWC ISAK Japan offers a unique experience for young adults (must have at least graduated high school by July 2023) who enjoy working with children in a diverse school setting. Our short course focuses on three core components: “Leadership”, “Positive Change” and “Diversity”. Winter School brings in middle school students with a diverse background and is seeking teaching and non teaching staff members who can work with the students during our 5-day winter program held at our beautiful campus in Karuizawa, Japan.
As a staff member, you will have the opportunity to contribute to program design, Preparation and delivery. You will serve as a go-to for program-related questions and resources, support operations, coach and mentor other team members, and incorporate real time feedback into participants’ experience in a hands-on immersive environment. Please note that specific tasks will vary based on potentially unforeseen program needs. Staff members are relied upon to pay attention to needs that arise, and respond proactively based on their best judgment. Expectations are likely to include, but may not be limited to the items below.
Preparation: Work with other staff to finalize design of program structure, learning and prepare related documentation for participants, gather and organize supplies, coordinate participant arrivals,
Operations: Support other staff in addressing participant needs throughout the program; answer program-related questions, organize and facilitate execution of event logistics, prepare and communicate important information to other participants,
Student life: Serve as go-to for residential support beyond counselors’ capabilities, be available to coach and mentor students and team members alike, monitor community atmosphere and student energy, help plan activities and schedule
Team coordination: Work with other staff to design and execute team orientation,
organize and facilitate team meetings/discussions, perpetuate positive team culture and serve as an example of UWC ISAK values and practices, facilitate exchange of ideas and create opportunities for team development.
Learning: Support in creating and executing workshops with other team members, such as volunteer and student facilitators.
A successful applicant will be highly organized and able to adapt to planning and program changes. The ability to work collaboratively is essential. In addition, the ideal candidate has experience in student learning and program management.
All employees must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, a teacher becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, they must report those concerns to the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or DDSL (Deputy Designated safeguarding Lead) immediately.
All dates are with a deadline of 17:00 PM JST.
Program Goals (these apply to students and staff alike!)
| Participants will Practice | Participants will Experience |
| Bringing attention to what is important for themselves and for others | Explore new things about themselves, and connecting with others |
| Taking action, independently and collaboratively, based on what’s important | Accomplishment, large and small, and feeling empowered to do more |
| Approaching others with empathy, seeking understanding in their environment and community members | Creating a diverse environment that acknowledges and understands different values and opinions |
| Leaderships practices and principles to create change in themselves and their communities | Being innovators who can bring tangible growth for themselves and others based on what is important and needed |
We are looking for applicants who will be a strong fit for our unique educational environment. Please read this general information and give it careful consideration before submitting an application.
UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
Our school vision reflects our hopes for and dedication to all UWC ISAK Japan students as they journey through one of the most important and exciting times of their lives.
We believe not only in the power of education, but also in the power of young people to become catalysts for positive change. We aim to create an environment where students learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives, challenge themselves academically and emotionally, and develop their innate potential as change-makers who can identify what is most important and needed, take action in the face of discomfort, use diversity as a strength, and support others in their practice.
Part of our distinct identity as a UWC is our focus on leadership and innovation.
Who is a transformational leader?
A transformational leader is someone who consistently identifies what is most important and what is needed, takes action in the face of discomfort, uses diversity as a strength, and supports others in this practice. With continuous practice, a transformational leader creates positive change within self and the community at large.
Founded in 1962, UWC (United World Colleges) is a global education movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC is comprised of schools and colleges in 17 countries, with national committees and selection contacts in more than 155 countries. UWC fosters a lifelong commitment to social responsibility, and to date has inspired a network of 60,000 alumni who believe it is possible to work for positive change.
The majority of students attending UWCs are selected by UWC national committees. In support of the belief that education should be independent of a student’s ability to pay, 70% of national committee selected IB Diploma students receive full scholarships. The UWC movement places a high value on experiential learning, outdoor education, service and other cultural understanding, alongside the academically challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
UWC ISAK Japan is Japan’s only full-boarding international high school and the newest member of the United World Colleges movement. Following the Japanese school system, UWC ISAK is a three-year high school, with all students in grades 11 and 12 following the IB Diploma Programme curriculum. The school is accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) and all graduates receive a Japanese high school diploma. Currently 173 students from 57 countries attend UWC ISAK Japan, with 70% of students receiving full or partial need-based scholarship support. 30% of enrolled students are Japanese, with the remaining 70% coming from homes outside of Japan.
Karuizawa is located in Nagano Prefecture, home to the 1998 Winter Olympics and fondly referred to as the “Roof of Japan.” Karuizawa has been attracting an international mix of visitors since the late nineteenth century. The mountainous climate keeps Kaurizawa cool and comfortable during Japan’s summer months, making it a popular escape from Tokyo’s heat and humidity. Karuizawa experiences four seasons with regular snow in the winter which generally lasts from early December through February. Monthly temperatures average between 21 and -5 throughout the year.
While the full-time population of Karuizawa is fewer than 20,000, the population of the town increases dramatically during the summer tourist season. From Tokyo, it takes approximately 70 minutes to reach Karuizawa station on the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train).
Karuizawa is a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers year-round recreation including hiking, cycling, tennis, golf and skiing. In addition, a vibrant arts & crafts scene includes art galleries and museums, a performing arts center, a symphony hall, and a community symphony. There are also many good restaurants with wide ranging cuisines, a large upscale outlet mall with designer shops, a variety of onsen hot springs and a local volcano, Mt. Asama.
UWC ISAK Japan is located on the outskirts of Karuizawa, in a quiet residential community and the school is not within easy walking distance to a train station or a large supermarket. Schooling options for faculty children are limited to the local public schools where all instruction and communication is in Japanese. We are not able to guarantee admission to UWC ISAK for faculty children in grades 10-12 or to guarantee scholarships if faculty children are admitted.
For more information about the town of Karuizawa, please go to the following website:
http://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-city-guides/karuizawa-guide
If you are 12-13 or know someone that age that wants to explore leadership, diversity, and creating positive change, be sure to visit our Winter School page. Application closes on October 21.
If you are 12-13 or know someone that age that wants to explore leadership, diversity, and creating positive change, be sure to visit our Winter School page. Application closes on October 21.
