Mitsui Educational Foundation Tour

The former Chairman and Managing Director of Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd., Mr Ken Ejiri AC established the Mitsui Educational Foundation (MEF) in 1971 to build stronger ties and promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia by introducing Australian university students to Japanese culture, history, business, industry, and contemporary lifestyles through an annual tour of Japan. To date, 305 Australian students have participated in 39 annual tours. 2011 marks the 40th year of MEF’s operation.

Eligibility:

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• an Australian citizen, and
• a full-time on-campus student enrolled in at least your second year of an undergraduate degree at a Monash Campus in Australia, and
• able to demonstrate a keen interest in learning broadly about Japan, and
• an outstanding ambassador.

Note: study of Japan or Japanese is not required to be eligible for the tour.

Selection criteria

Students will be selected on the following criteria:

• must have achieved a minimum of a credit weighted average mark (60 per cent),
• interest in learning broadly about Japan, and could most benefit from the Mitsui Educational Foundation experience,
• will act as an outstanding ambassador for Monash University and Australia whilst participating in the tour.

One applicant from Monash University will be selected for the tour.

Tour of Japan

Please note that travel is subject to approval by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University.

21 day tour providing a balanced experience or corporate, traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.All transport, accommodation, insurance and transfer costs are borne by MEF. Students are only responsible for incidental expenses such as snacks, souvenirs and phone calls.

The tour includes visits to Japan's capital Tokyo, ancient capitals Kyoto and Nara and Hiroshima and is fully chaperoned by a Japanese-speaking tour leader and tour guides.

Tour dates: November 22 November - 13 December 2011

Places visited include:

•    KYOTO, NARA & HIROSHIMA: Places of historical significance
•    HAKONE: in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, showcases the natural beauty of Japan
•    TOKYO: Various tourist locations including temples, shrines, museum, Kabuki theatre, and gardens
•    Australian Embassy / Diet Building

Plants and offices visited include:

•    Toyota Motor Company
•    Nippon Steel Corporation
•    Sharp Corporation
•    Tokyo Electric Power Company

People Exchange opportunities include:

•    A 3-day Homestay with a Japanese family, allowing a firsthand experience of everyday Japanese life
•    Activities with Japanese university students who will commence employment with Mitsui next year
•    Attending a lecture at Keio University together with their students

Upon returning to Australia, you will be required to provide a 3000 word report on your impressions of Japan and provide a presentation based on this report to the MEF Trustees and Mitsui staff at head office in Sydney in Mid-February. Other than this, you are in no way obligated to Mitsui or the Foundation on your return to Australia.
Participants become an automatic member of the MEF Alumni Association which has chapters in each state/territory of Australia.

Applications

Applications for 2011 are closed.