+81-80-9611-9635
info@yourtravelhokkaido.com
+81-80-9611-9635
info@yourtravelhokkaido.com
Be The Change Hokkaido (BTC) has three main aims:
BTC is a way to discover Hokkaido, whilst discovering yourself at the same time. We offer a unique 12 week program (just the first 6 weeks in also possible), combining Japanese language classes and cultural experiences, community-living, entrepreneurship workshops, travel, mentorship, and a real-life internship in a Japanese setting. Aimed at participants who are 18-30 years old, we believe in the power of community, group learning, and giving back. We love Japanese language and culture, but we know that whilst just traveling is great, an immersive experience is even better. If you’re looking to explore Japan and practically improve your Japanese, whilst also discovering a career you love and thinking about your next steps – this could well be the program that you are looking for.
Over the first 6 weeks you will be living with a group of 6 – 20 young adults in share house accommodation, sharing one large house or similar accommodation. This is normally shared room style, separated by gender, with shared bathroom facilities. (If you require a private room or facilities please contact us directly. For an additional charge we may be able to accommodate this). There is a large community kitchen and living area which is used as a base for cooking together, hanging out and studying.
We believe that this time is essential, not only for language study, but for learning from each other, setting personal goals for the program, traveling together, and having a whole lot of fun at the same time.
Japanese classes will take place in smaller sub-groups, organised by ability, and our teachers are all qualified and licensed. We believe that the most effective learning is linked directly to daily experiences, and so your lessons are designed to feed immediately into our daily events and activities and give you the chance to use what you are learning each day.
Our speakers and mentors are locally based, with expert knowledge to help prepare you for starting your own buisness, work remotely, or thinking about careers in a global sense.
Our travel will also aim to introduce you to the best of Hokkaido in each season. From rafting in Niseko, to driving out east to Shiretoko, or taking in the autumn leaves in Sounkyo – we promise to introduce the best of Hokkaido in the season you come. There will be tons of chances to meet other travelers and local people as we try activities, cultural experiences and take in Hokkaido’s awesome nature!
In stage 1, we aim to have 1 day trip or overnight trip each week (depending on the best of Hokkaido in the season you are here), + there will be 2 cultural or social activities each week (kimono, soba-making, soup curry experience) + many free activities (meeting local people, nabe party, night walk) each week too!
For the following 5 weeks you will head out into Hokkaido to work in a local business setting. We have a variety of businesses in our network and will try our best to match a placement with your skills as much as we can, but we also ask that participants keep an open mind about living with and supporting local people – and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. For instance, you might be staying on a farm in rural Hokkaido, and supporting the family to build up their social media. You could be using your photography skills to publicise a small local business selling handmade crafts. Or you could be using your event management skills to support a local area to boost their tourism. You might even be teaching English in a community setting. In all cases we wish to support your career development, whilst also supporting Hokkaido and giving you the chance to dive into a local community. Don’t worry if you aren’t yet confident in your Japanese abilities. Our team will support you every step of the way, and we believe in human connection being central to communication. This is all part of the adventure!
Finally, we will bring the whole tribe back to Sapporo for a final week of evaluation and debriefing – sharing our experiences – the good, the bad and the ugly – but all the learning. We’ll also take some time to chill out and relax together, with some final day trips and activities and a graduation event and finale.
BTC is for anyone aged between 18 and 30, with an interest in Japanese language and culture and a desire to develop or discover their career whilst exploring Hokkaido. We include lots of traveling, day trips and overnight stays, the fun of living to together, and the fusion of community to learn, grow, change and have the best experience possible. The course is targeted at people who are comfortable backpacking and staying in budget accommodation. This isn’t exclusive, and we always welcome applicants open to new experiences, but please be prepared that this is our background. Many of our activities include camping, outdoor BBQs, outdoor activities and enjoying nature, so an interest in this will help you to have the best time possible.
We started our own business back in 2014 and love supporting other people with this aim. You don’t need to want to run your own business, but being a creative thinker who enjoys the concept of nomad working will mean that you are already onboard with our passion.
Finally, as a side note – we are studying practical Japanese, to use each day, and support your placement and daily life. If you are hoping for a traditional school based setting with homework, tests and essays – this isn’t the program for you.
BTC trusts that our applicants also have a good level of self-motivation when it comes to using what they are learning and getting out of their comfort zones.
If you are aged between 18 and 30 and interested in the BTC program, the first step is to get in touch!
We would love to talk with you further and help you to decide if this is the best option for you.
There are a maximum of 20 spaces per intake, and alongside our regular application form, you can use the space there to write us a self-introduction (max 1 side or A4 or equivalent) explaining why you would like be a part of BTC and what you think you would get out of the course.
We’ll then arrange a video call to talk further with you, and start to get the details in place and all your questions answered. Don’t be nervous – we’re a super friendly team and we would love to see as many people as possible take part.
If you are successful in gaining a place on the intake that you apply for, then we will email you out a full orientation pack to help you to prepare for your travel to Japan. Where we feel people are right for the program, we will do everything possible to support you to get here.
Our team will arrange to meet you at New Chitose Airport, and help you get settled into your accommodation before the Monday start date.
Simply, get in touch! You can apply online.
Or if you have questions, drop us a message and we’ll be in touch!
As BTC is a 12-week long travel package, you are able to take part if you are in Japan using the 90-day visa-waiver scheme, with a working holiday visa or a 90-day tourist visa.
It’s open for anyone!