The Global English Camp program is constantly changing, expanding, and improving. This means there is a chance that past Global English Camp mentors had a totally different experience than the mentors nowadays. That being said, some aspects have stuck around. As a past mentor, I’d like to shed some light on your everyday life!
*This example focuses on a typical day in Tokyo. Homestays and satellite schools may affect your week day.
9:30AM
Whether you’re in Tokyo or Hokkaido, you should be arriving at the venue around 9:30AM. If you have a homestay, you may be arriving earlier. Before class begins, there is usually a quick meeting with other mentors. Sometimes, Toshin staff are involved. This is a convenient time to eat your breakfast and prepare for the rest of the week, such as fill out goodbye letters for your students. It’s also the perfect chance to bond with other mentors. Students arrive as early as nine in the morning, but the official English Camp day doesn’t start until 10AM.
10:00AM
Each day covers different topics in the textbook, but usually, mornings involve small group discussions and speaking exercises / games.
12:00PM
Lunch! At certain school venues, you can go to restaurants with your students. Check with staff at the venue first. Otherwise, you can go to a convenience store and grab some food, go out with other interns to a restaurant, or pack a lunch. Some school venues want mentors to eat with the students every day; others don’t mind what you do during this time.
1:00PM
Class resumes. Be on time! The afternoon involves more table discussions. Most importantly, there are student speeches and presentations at the end.
5:00PM
Students fill out daily report sheets - these are important! Mentors must also fill out their own daily report sheet. This is your chance to report any students who may be struggling at your table, or if you have personal concerns of your own. Your report will be reviewed by staff.
5:15PM
Once students leave the venue, mentors are also allowed to leave. Clean up all the garbage and snacks at your table. In Japanese schools, there are no janitors. Students and mentors must pick up after themselves. Please remember this!
5:30PM and onward:
You are free to do whatever you like. Sometimes, there are scheduled activities and language classes happening that are sponsored by the program. Other times, there are unofficial plans created by returning staff who want you to tag along during their adventures. If you want to venture out on your own or hang out with friends, you’re welcome to do so as well.
That’s it!
As someone who’s done this program, I will say that you have a lot of independence. No one is telling you to go home at the end of the day, or spend your money wisely, or eat right - you must possess that responsibility for yourself. Remember that you’re doing this program to impact high school students - not to just have fun in Japan - so you should be awake and healthy for your students every day! Although I had a lot of independence on this program, I never felt alone, since there were always so many other interns around my living area and school venue.
The Global English Camp program changed my life. I hope it changes yours!
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Written by Paige Goetz, Director of Communications
