About the Organization

Tokyo Shure was founded in June 1985 to provide an alternate education model that would address perceived deficiencies in Japan’s public education system. Shure was founded as an alternative education space where any child could be herself/himself and have the support of parents and other citizens. Tokyo Shure is one of the first free schools or alternative education centers in Japan.

Shure University was founded in April 1999 by free school students, graduates and staff members. Any person who wants to pursue his/her interests can join. Activities take place in both the University space in Shinjuku and in students' homes. People can join from anywhere by e-mail, telephone, and mail.

Shure students pursue studies in their areas of interests by concentrating on diverse projects. Projects are designed by students, faculty, staff and advisors interested in non-traditional ways of seeing and learning. For example, students interested in engineering might participate in a project to build a solar car; students interested in film would write, produce and distribute a movie.

Shure students, faculty and advisors work together on this project-based curriculum based on students’ needs and interests. Unlike the traditional education system, where youth are told what to study and then tested, Shure students participate in all phases of their education from devising educational programs to running and evaluating them.

Even though we do projectｓ collectively, each of us has different interests. At Shure University individuality is greatly respected. At the same time, we pay attention to the other’s activities and we support and stimulate each other. Such relationships promote our activities.

Shure University is the center of students directed education in Japan. The researches are not only in Japan but also done internationally. The outcomes of such researches are reported at academic conferences, published and became DVD works.

For more information about Shure university please see the Shure University website.

Job Description

Interns will serve as project assistants in a range of courses and grade levels determined by Shure staff after consulting interns and establishing their skills and interests areas. Interns can discuss their areas of interest in detail with host organization staff at the interview or later. Interns will be supervised by staff and work closely with students.

Interns can assist with one or more of the following group projects:

Examples of recent internships:
1.Student-directed education research: The research team for student-directed education is making a DVD series entitled “The Frontiers of World Student-Directed Education”. A few title projects are ongoing, such as: home based education in the world, diversity of Japanese student-directed education and democratic education in the USA. The reports generated from this research are published and the DVDs created are distributed to universities in Japan. IE3 students can participate this project as a research assistant.

2.Shure University International Film Festival: The event will be held in Summer 2010. International films are submitted from countries such as Russia, Korea, Israel, UK. IE3 students can be involved as a project assistant.

3.Art projects: (These are on-going, vary by semester staff availability and youth interest).
a) Film: We have been making films since October 2002.
b) Theater -- We have had workshops with directors, theater artists, lighting persons, vocalists and performed plays.
c) Music:This is the newest project we’ve had started in April 2003. We are searching for ways to express ourselves in music. We made a CD and are selling copies now.
d) Environment and Solar car develop project: We started to design and produce a solar car in October 2000 and take part in International solar car race held every year in Suzuka. We also study the innovative examples of environment projects and are renovating Shure University equipment and adjusting the energy management here in accordance.
e) Annual Art Exhibition: Students present their work in a Tokyo gallery. See 2011 intern Micheal Pacheco's photos of this exhibit at this well received event at https://picasaweb.google.com/micheal.pacheco/2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvqhdjfrq2UWA.

4.International Exchange programs: Shure has worked with alternative education, educational research and youth support groups in Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, the US, Russia and Israel) Interns may help with preparations and communications between Shure and the other groups that will either visit Japan or that Shure will be visiting. Duties may include assisting with partner institution contact, helping students with the preparation of English language materials and possibly exchange arrangements. Every summer Shure University International Film festival is held. Films are from many parts of the world. In Summer 2010, Shure will participate International Democratic Education Conference in Israel. We will need assistance with conference and workshop preparation as well as with outreach and contact with groups both inside and outside Japan. (for this position Native English has higher priority than high level Japanese skills.)

5.Assistance with Shure University English website and/or other materials.

Intern Learning Opportunities

Interns are encouraged to discuss their areas of interest in detail with the Shure supervisor before and during the internship, to ensure the interns skills are welll utilized and built upon. In addition to the following learning areas, interns will also attend some Shure classes in subjects of their own personal interest to both improve their Japanese communication skills and understand the programs more fully.

Interns will:

• learn how to coordinate a project
• learn how to teach English or another subject
• become acquainted with inclusive education methods and non-hierarchical education program development
• improve Japanese language communication skills
• gain a better understanding of alternative education methodologies
• learn more about the issues facing youth in Japan and the difficulties of traditional education systems.

The following are some examples of learning projects that Shure students and faculty have completed:
1. Solar car development project: We started to design and produce a solar car in October 2000 and take part in an international solar car race held every year in Suzuka. We also studied the use of solar generators and hydro terrarium in which we can reproduce ecology in an aquarium.
2. Art projects: (These are on-going; vary by semester, staff availability and youth interest.)
    (a) Film: We have been making films since October 2002
    (b) Theater: We have had workshops with directors, theater artists, lighting specialists, and vocalists. We have also performed plays.
    (c) Music: This is the newest project we have started, which began in April 2003. We are searching for ways to express ourselves in music. We made a CD and are trying to sell copies now.
3. International Exchange programs: Shure has worked with alternative education, educational research and youth support groups in Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, the US, Russia and Israel. Interns may help with preparations and communications between Shure and the other groups that will either visit Japan or that Shure will be visiting. Duties may include: assisting with partner institution contact, helping students with the preparation of English language materials and possibly exchange arrangements.
4. This year is the tenth anniversary year for Shure University. A tenth anniversary public event will be held in late October or early November.

# of Positions per term

1-2 per internship period

Start Dates

April to July (August is school holiday time) or September to December.

Duration of Internship

1 or 2 semesters long, 3-5 days per week depending on project needs. Schedule will be set at the beginning of the internship.

Academic Background

Education, international studies, Japanese language and history, Fine arts and popular culture, psychology, therapy, intercultural/multicultural studies, women's studies, engineering, applied sciences, others

Skills/Experience

Experience, skill and/or strong interest in areas related to group project of interest.

Language Ability

Basic Japanese for those fluent in English, other language skills are useful but not necessary.

Other Requirements

An interest in alternative education, intercultural communication and youth support programs. Sensitivity to people with diverse needs and lifestyles.

Open-minded people from diverse backgrounds are welcome to join us at Shure. Interns should be prepared to live in a busy urban environment where English is not widely spoken.

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.
ALL ESTIMATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

IE₃ Program Fee

For spring term 2012, the program fee for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. The expected program fee beginning summer term 2012 is $3450 for the first term. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
Host Site Fees	$700*
International Travel	$1000
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$0

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$750
Food	$300
Local Transportation	$200
Recreation	$150
Personal Expenses	$100

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

*This is a one time additional fee to offset the additional costs of arranging the internship, and providing orientation support in Japan, The regional director for IE3 will discuss these fees with you before beginning the placement process so you can estimate the costs.

Find more information at the Shure University website: http://shureuniv.org/eng/.

See photos from Shure University's 2011 Annual Art Exhibition, taken by intern Micheal Pacheco, at https://picasaweb.google.com/micheal.pacheco/2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvqhdjfrq2UWA.

Field Notes Postings:

Pacheco Quake: Interning to Fundraising by Micheal Pacheco: IE3 Scholarship Recipient and Portland State University student (June 20, 2011)