We provide study abroad opportunities for Japanese students facing financial barriers, with online p

While working as an English teacher, I encountered a Japanese student eager to study English and pursue education abroad. Her enthusiasm intensified after attending my English class, fueling her dream to go outside of Japan. Unfortunately, she realized that joining a one-week study abroad program required a $5000 fee and extensive documentation, leading her to abandon her plans. Consequently, her interest in English dwindled due to lack of practice opportunities. As her teacher, I felt powerless to assist. Motivated by her situation, I initiated this program to address such challenges. This issue is not isolated to her; it affects numerous Japanese students. Data from the Cabinet Office reveals that only 22,000 high school students, less than 1% of the total, participate in study abroad programs. In recent years, the problem of inequality in study-abroad opportunities in Japan has become increasingly serious. 

After interviewing students, we identified three major problems hindering them: financial, linguistic, and procedural constraints. Affordability is a major issue, as many study abroad opportunities cost more than $5000 for just a week. Considering the current weakness of the Japanese currency, many families, especially those facing financial difficulties, cannot afford this fee. The average salary in Japan is $2500 per month; thus, study abroad opportunities are considered a luxury experience. Secondly, the language barrier presents a significant obstacle, as Japanese students often lack proficiency in English. Many programs require students to already have certain English skills, which prevents many of them from participating. Additionally, many students mentally hesitate to go outside of Japan since they are worried about the language difficulties. Thirdly, the cumbersome process of obtaining visas, passports, and insurance further complicates matters. . These three main barriers prevent many Japanese students from pursuing study abroad opportunities, especially those facing economic and geographical challenges. This causes an "experience gap," in which the type of experience each individual receives is determined by their family background. The experiences one gains and the number of educational opportunities one has are crucial in today's society. College admissions emphasize not only academic achievement but also various experiences such as extracurricular activities and volunteer work. However, access to these experiences largely depends on the family's financial situation and connections. Having fewer experiences can narrow future perspectives, limit exposure to role models, hinder new discoveries, and reduce opportunities for self-reflection and understanding of one's country. Consequently, this can lead to disparities in university enrollment, employment, and future wages.

Furthermore, the 2022 PISA results indicate that Japan scored the lowest among the participating countries in terms of openness to diversity. This can be attributed to Japan's homogeneous population and the limited international experience of its citizens. Expanding study abroad opportunities is essential for fostering a greater openness to diversity.

The 10-day Study Abroad Program in a very low cost aided by a series of online sessions and virtual support in California aims to benefit Japanese high school students and their American counterparts. Japanese high school students attend a high school in Palo Alto, California, while staying with host families. Japanese participants will be selected from those facing economic and geographical challenges. As a teacher, I've witnessed many Japanese students express a desire to study abroad, but three major problems hinder them: financial, language, and psychological constraints. 

Affordability is a major issue, as many study abroad opportunities cost more than $5000 for just a week. Considering the current weakness of the Japanese currency, many families, especially those facing financial difficulties, cannot afford this fee. Secondly, the language barrier presents a significant obstacle, as Japanese students often lack proficiency in English. Many programs require students to already have certain English skills, which prevents many of them from participating. Thirdly, the cumbersome process of obtaining visas, passports, and insurance further complicates matters. Families and students are overwhelmed by this complex process, discouraging them from applying. 

These barriers prevent many Japanese students from pursuing study abroad opportunities, especially those facing economic and geographical challenges

For American students, authentic opportunities to apply their language skills after studying Japanese are limited. Even if American students study Japanese for a long time in school, they do not have the chance to practice with Japanese students of the same age.

Our solution addresses these problems by offering programs that allow students facing challenges to join our online sessions, come to the US and pair up with American students studying Japanese. This arrangement makes it easier for Japanese students to join our programs from all over Japan since preparation sessions are all online, to visit the US, as American students can exchange languages and practice with them. Given that Japanese students may not have excellent English skills, our program accommodates them.

We exclusively cater to students facing challenges and provide comprehensive support before their study abroad experience. This support includes online assistance with visa, passport, and insurance applications to simplify the process. We also have virtual meeting sessions with American students to online face to face meeting to get to know each other before   Our application form is straightforward, requiring only an essay submission, and we do not mandate English proficiency scores or academic grades, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Furthermore, our program operates at an extremely low cost. American students studying Japanese host Japanese students for free, benefiting from cultural and language immersion. This arrangement fosters a mutually beneficial exchange experience.

Furthermore, the local school community and host families will benefit from exposure to Japanese culture and technology, while Japanese students will gain insight into American culture through their host families.

The target population that EdFuture's solution, the World Terakoya Program, serves are Japanese high school students who face significant economic and geographical challenges. These students are underserved in terms of access to study abroad opportunities, primarily due to financial constraints, linguistic barriers, and complex bureaucratic processes required for travel and study in a foreign country.

Currently, many of these students are deterred from participating in international study because of the high costs associated with travel and tuition, often exceeding $5,000 for a one-week program. Additionally, the requirement for certain English language proficiency levels excludes those who have not had prior exposure to extensive English language education. Moreover, the procedural barriers such as obtaining visas, passports, and insurance are overwhelming for families unfamiliar with these processes.

EdFuture addresses these issues through its comprehensive solution, which includes providing a very low-cost, short-term study abroad opportunity in America. The program cost is set at only $1,500, including airfare and insurance, making it accessible to students from low-income families. EdFuture also assists with the bureaucratic aspects, offering support with passport and visa applications. Furthermore, the program does not require students to have prior English proficiency or excellent academic grades, thus widening the accessibility to students who are typically excluded from such opportunities. We can accomplish this by collaborating with American high schools that offer Japanese programs. This allows students who study Japanese to communicate in both Japanese and English. Moreover, utilizing technology to provide online sessions and support is essential, particularly for students residing in rural locations like islands or the countryside. Our use of technology ensures that our program is more accessible.

This approach not only helps to bridge the opportunity gap for disadvantaged students but also aims to enhance their confidence, cultural appreciation, and academic pursuits. By interacting with American students and engaging in a different educational and cultural environment, Japanese students gain valuable global perspectives and soft skills that are crucial in today's interconnected world.

We believe our team deeply understands the issues at hand, as our members were the ones who faced barriers when we were students. Also, our team members regularly interact with students as both teachers and parents. Our team includes various members such as Japanese and American educators, business consultants, graduates from Harvard and Stanford, and an educational researcher. A team lead is a former teacher in Japan, a graduate of Stanford Graduate School of Education, and is currently at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is also working at Boston Public School. He started his program after hearing about the difficulties students faced giving up studying abroad opportunities. In the team, we have four former/current school teachers in Japan who are constantly receiving input from communities on how we can improve our program. 

We aim to serve students in rural areas of Japan, from low-income families, and those who have faced challenges. Thus, we also recruit staff from small islands or rural areas in Japan so that we understand the problems students face from multiple perspectives. Three of our teams reside in the US, and they are cultivating new partnerships and networking with US schools and people by leveraging the Stanford and Harvard community. To expand our program, a consultant from Stanford Business School alumni has joined us as a pro bono. We designed our programs after interviewing 20 target students and identified three major barriers: financial, linguistic, and procedural. Informed by these insights, we developed programs tailored to address specific challenges. We opted to minimize the program fee, establish a pairing system with American students studying Japanese, streamline the application process, and offer extensive pre-departure support. Furthermore, to ensure accessibility to our target community, we actively promote our program in rural schools by engaging with teachers and leveraging technology, making it accessible throughout Japan.

Partnering with schools such as Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Castro Valley School in San Francisco, and Snowden International School in Boston, which boast experienced teachers and Japanese language departments, allows us to facilitate meaningful interactions between Japanese and American students. Our team is unique since there are no other teams that have educators who understand both Japan and the US and also have connections in both countries. We believe our team is most suitable to solve our issues.

In 2022, we launched a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising $15,000 from 201 individuals in August. Following this achievement, we opened applications in September, receiving 30 submissions by October. In November, we established a valuable partnership with a school in Palo Alto. As preparation intensified, we commenced pre-training activities, leading to the inaugural program launch in March 2023, engaging 20 high school students. We measured our results both qualitatively and quantitatively.During the program, 40 students participated, all of whom had no prior international experience. Remarkably, 90% of these students expressed intentions for long-term study abroad in the future. The program garnered impressive satisfaction, with an average score of 97% among participants. Furthermore, 95% of students reported improvements in soft skills such as communication. One participant shared their transformative experience, stating, "This was my first trip abroad, and it was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for me. “

Building on this success, we secured a $60,000 contract with Waseda University. In September 2023, we reopened applications, receiving an overwhelming 450 submissions. Pre-training activities resumed in November, paving the way for our second successful program in March 2024. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our program to California and Boston, with the goal of facilitating online sessions for 100 participants and hosting 40 students for in-person experiences.

We are applying to Solve because we aim to expand our model globally. This year, we will expand our program to Boston since I have established partnerships with schools in Boston. Next year, we are planning to partner with schools in the Philippines and Ireland to expand our impact. Since we will be hosting our program in Boston this year, we want to build connections and networks through Solve.

 In addition, we are keen to develop a robust fundraising strategy through Solve, as our current grant funding is temporary and not sustainable. We are considering the recruitment of fundraisers and a community manager to raise funding. We want to attract more donors, monthly supporters, and donations from enterprises. With a solid financial strategy in place and increased funding, we will be able to serve and reach more students worldwide by expanding our staff and partnering with additional schools, thereby enabling us to have an even greater impact. 

We also want to contribute to the Solve community by partnering with other organizations or spreading our model. The model we have established, which allows students to study abroad at a very low cost, has the potential to be implemented worldwide, benefiting not only Japanese and American students but also those from other countries. Since launching our trials, individuals from China, Mongolia, and Hong Kong have expressed interest in our model, indicating the possibility of its adoption with our support in their regions. We believe that connecting with more Solvers and establishing additional partnerships will not only amplify our impact but also contribute to a collective effort in addressing global challenges of opportunity disparities.

EdFuture's World Terakoya Program is innovative in several ways, particularly in its approach to addressing educational and socioeconomic disparities through international study opportunities:

Accessibility: Study Abroad for Everyone:

Low-Cost

Unlike traditional study abroad programs, which are often costly, our program fee is just $1,500, including airfare and insurance. This model significantly reduces financial barriers, making study abroad accessible to students who typically could not afford such experiences. 

Recruit Students Who Have Challenges

We aim to serve students in rural areas of Japan, from low-income families, and those who have faced challenges. We are doing this since equity is a very important aspect for us.

No Requirement for Prior English Proficiency nor GPA:

By not requiring a high level of English proficiency or GPA for participation, any student can apply for our program. Many other programs require people to have an English score or higher GPA; however, we open doors for a broader range of students.

Online Comprehensive Support: The program includes a series of online assistance with visa, passport, and insurance applications to simplify the process. This support begins 5 months before the actual travel, ensuring that students are well-prepared and confident. This aspect of the program is critical to overcoming the procedural barriers that students face.

Integration with Local Schools and Communities:

Our program forms strategic partnerships with U.S. high schools offering Japanese language courses, significantly reducing costs by eliminating the need for third-party language schools. More importantly, it deepens cultural exchange by integrating Japanese students into American classrooms with their peers. These students not only learn but also share their own culture, staying with and learning alongside their American counterparts.

Educational Team Members: Our educational team, consisting of educators from diverse backgrounds, crafts a curriculum aimed at expanding cultural understanding and broadening perspectives. With affiliations to Stanford and Harvard, our team leverages extensive resources and networks to enhance the program’s offerings.

Passion Project and Personalized Experience:

Each participant embarks on a unique journey shaped by their personal interests, which begins with online project planning sessions. These projects, which continue to evolve in the U.S., involve direct engagement with professionals through interviews and culminate in a presentation at the program’s expo day. This approach ensures a personalized and deeply impactful experience.

Scalable and Replicable Model:

The structure of the World Terakoya Program is designed to be scalable and replicable across different regions and countries. Currently, we are surging between Japan and the US; however, this program can be replicated in other countries. I started to get interests from students in China, Hong Kong, and Mongolia to the United States. We are able to partner with local organizations and expand the impact all over the world.

By addressing the problem of educational inequity through these innovative approaches, EdFuture not only provides immediate benefits to its participants but also sets a precedent for other educational organizations, which could lead to broader systemic changes in how international educational opportunities are structured and delivered.

We believe that learners facing economic barriers and geographical challenges will greatly benefit from study abroad experiences. Our affordable study abroad opportunities and comprehensive support services, enhance cultural awareness, improve language proficiency, and develop essential soft skills, while also broadening future prospects. This contributes to building an equitable society where opportunities are accessible to all regardless of their background.

Here is our theory of change:

Learners' Profile and Needs

Learners who are interested in international culture and studying English, but those who:

・Face economic barriers and geographical challenges,

・Lack previous international experience, or

・Are academically underserved or not proficient in English.

Educational Activities

Designed by seasoned educators, our initiatives include:

• Providing affordable study abroad opportunities,

• Delivering comprehensive support services,

• Creating partnerships with U.S. high schools and arranging host family experiences,

• Developing passion projects and facilitating connections with U.S. professionals.

Outputs

• Increased Access to Study Abroad: The program’s affordability and inclusive criteria directly lead to increased participation rates among economically and geographically disadvantaged students.

• Enhanced Cultural and Language Skills: Through immersive experiences in U.S. schools and pre-departure training, students improve their English and gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences.

• Development of Soft Skills: Interaction in a new educational environment, country, and host family fosters skills such as adaptability, communication, and leadership.

• Desire to Study English and Study Abroad in the Future: The authentic experience in a foreign country encourages students to pursue further studies in English and consider studying abroad.

Outcomes Impact

• Establishing an equitable society that provides diverse educational opportunities for all.

• Encouraging more individuals to embrace diversity, inclusivity, and global citizenship.

The World Terakoya Program is designed to make international educational opportunities accessible and affordable for all Japanese high school students, regardless of income or regional background. This initiative aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targets 4.3 and 4.7, which advocate for equitable access to quality education and the acquisition of skills to promote sustainable development, respectively.

Impact Goals:

• Over the next three years, we aim to engage 500 students in our program.

• After completing the program, 90 percent of the participants are expected to express interest in further international experiences and in studying English.

• Within the next five years, half of these students are projected to pursue study abroad opportunities.

Quantitative Data: 

• Number of students who participated in study abroad programs, the host families who accommodated them, as well as their respective high schools and other relevant populations

• Using BEVI, international program assessment, measuring students' non-cognitive abilities, communication skills, cross-cultural understanding, initiative, and positivity before and after their study abroad experience.

• Percentage increase in students' English proficiency levels before and after the program. 

• Number of students who express a desire to pursue further international experiences after completing the program. 

• Number of students who express a desire to study English after completing the program.

Qualitative Data

• Testimonials from students who have participated in the program, sharing their personal growth, experiences, and insights gained.

• Stories of students who, as a result of this program, decide to pursue higher education or careers with an international focus. 

• Participation and engagement of alumni who continue to support and contribute to the program's growth. 

Evidence of Impact:

40 students participate in the program. 100% of participants had no prior international experience. 

90% of students are considering long-term study abroad in the future. 

97% is the average student satisfaction score. 95% of students improved their soft skills.

Testimony from Participants:

I applied with little confidence in my English skills, but I did not want to give up on studying abroad in high school due to financial reasons. So, I was determined to give it my all!

I truly feel that the Silicon Valley Dispatch Program has been a turning point in my life since I was able to learn about a world I didn't know. The fear and anxiety of going abroad as a student faded away. I was able to have the best experience, filled with fun!

Testimony from Parents:

My daughter, who had given up on studying abroad due to financial constraints, found this program herself and enthusiastically participated in it amidst her university entrance exams. We are grateful for the opportunity for her to learn about life abroad for free. She also mentioned that through her experience in the United States, she learned the importance of things that are taken for granted in Japan. Meeting high school students of the same age in America, as well as entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and Japanese university students and adults who are challenging themselves, has become a lifelong asset for her.

EdFuture's World Terakoya Program leverages technology platforms to make international educational experience accessible for any Japanese high school students. 

Learning Management System:

Our program employs an LMS for delivering pre-departure training. This platform enables our staff to effectively manage participants, assign personalized homework, offer language lessons, and handle logistical preparations such as visa and passport processes. Documents are stored on the cloud, allowing everyone to access and learn from each other.

Virtual Live Conference Tool:

Utilizing Zoom, students participate in live sessions to deepen their curiosity, identify their passions, develop action plans, and engage with peer feedback. Furthermore, they initiate interactions with peers in the U.S., fostering mutual understanding.

Data Analytics and Feedback Tools Survey and Feedback Systems:

We gather feedback and data from students both before and after the program through the survey platform BEVI and international program assessments. This tool enables us to analyze and visualize data, informing strategic decisions and program adjustments to enhance our program.

These technologies collectively ensure that the World Terakoya Program is not only accessible and effective but also scalable and adaptable to different learning environments and needs.

Full-time staff: EdFuture employs two full-time staff members, who are co-founders.

Part-time staff: EdFuture has ten part-time staff members who are responsible for planning, promoting, recruiting students, and ensuring student success.

Contractors and other workers: EdFuture collaborates with three contractors: Waseda University, a tax accountant, and a travel agency. Waseda University assists in advertising our programs, while the travel agency facilitates booking airplane tickets and bus reservations.

World Terakoya Program started  in 2022  and we successfully crowdfunded $15,000 from 201 people. After selecting students from all over the world, we began pre-training activities to prepare for the study abroad. Our first program was conducted in March for 20 high school students in California. In April, our team signed a $60,000 contract with Waseda University to further conduct our program. For our second program, we attracted 450 applications. By March 2024, we successfully conducted the program for a second time. Currently, we are preparing for our third batch and expanding to Boston, aiming to attract 60 students.

EdFuture exemplifies a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through its organizational structure and the programs it implements, particularly the World Terakoya Program. This program underscores the importance of providing equitable access to international educational opportunities for high school students, regardless of their economic status or geographical background, effectively supporting students from diverse and often underserved communities.

EdFuture is deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its team and through its external engagements. The organization ensures a diverse and inclusive environment by integrating several key practices:

EdFuture's leadership and staff reflect a mix of backgrounds and experiences. The team includes educators, a film director, a lawyer, a business consultant, and an accountant, with alumni from Harvard and Stanford, all of whom bring unique perspectives and expertise.

In terms of recruitment, EdFuture adopts inclusive hiring practices that promote diversity. We actively seek candidates from underrepresented groups, ensuring that our team not only understands the challenges our students face but also mirrors the diversity we aim to support. We work remotely, allowing us to recruit globally. Three of our teams reside in the US, one staff from a small island, with a composition of 70% female and 30% male.

We are diversifying our revenue streams through a combination of participation fees, online session fees, monthly supporters, and donations from grants and foundations in both Japan and the U.S., as well as corporate donations. To enhance our funding capabilities, we plan to hire a fundraiser and a community manager to oversee the recruitment and management of monthly supporters starting from the second and third years of our fundraising efforts. Our program also includes exchange activities in both Japan and the U.S., enabling us to fundraise in both countries.

The specific revenue plan after the grant period is as follows:

• Program fee for 40 participants at $1,500 each totals $60,000.

• 500 monthly supporters contributing $10 each for 12 months totals $60,000.

• Program/event participation fees collected at $10 per session for 5 sessions with 100 attendees per session totals $5,000.

Additionally, we plan to apply for:

• Grants from the U.S. government and the U.S. Embassy, specifically targeting the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund, Federal Assistance Awards, and other related programs.

• Funding from academic and innovation-oriented programs like the Harvard Social Impact Fellowship Fund and the Learning Design Challenge.

• Support from foundations in Japan and the U.S., including the United States-Japan Foundation, The Nippon Foundation, Japan Post New Year's Donation Fund, and Iwasa Shoji.

• Partnership with University, district and government

Our revenue strategy is designed to ensure the program remains affordable and accessible, using our diversified income streams to subsidize participation fees. This approach not only helps in maintaining the program's inclusivity but also enhances its sustainability and impact.

EdFuture has a strategic financial plan to ensure its sustainability through diversified funding sources and by offering cost-effective programs. The organization has successfully secured funding and partnerships to support its operations and initiatives, as outlined in the available documents.

Revenue Streams and Funding Sources:

• University Partnerships: EdFuture has established a significant partnership with Waseda University, which has contributed $60,000 to support their programs.

• Crowdfunding: The organization raised $11,000 from 201 contributors, demonstrating community support and engagement.

• Program Fees: Participants pay a modest fee of $1,500, which includes costs for enrollment in short-term study abroad programs. This fee structure is designed to be affordable while contributing to the operational costs.

• Gaining Monthly Supporters: By promoting our program and hiring a community manager to engage supporters.

Evidence of Success:

• Participant Engagement: 450 high school students applied for the program, showing significant demand and interest in EdFuture's offerings.

• Grants and Contracts: Apart from Waseda University's financial contribution, EdFuture has been actively seeking grants. We prepared a detailed evaluation plan for the 2024 Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund Grant and the Harvard Social Innovation Fellow Fund, indicating our proactive approach to securing more funding.

• Impact and Traction: The World Terakoya Program has successfully conducted programs with significant outcomes. For example, 40 students have already participated, and the program is planned to scale with increased student numbers in future sessions.