Teach Abroad | Phoenix Sister Cities

Program Overview

Want to live abroad and have a rewarding career? Every year, Phoenix Sister Cities seeks Phoenix residents to teach in our sister city Himeji, Japan as Assistant Language Teachers and Assistant Supervisors of English. Participants fulfill one- to two-year contracts from August to July with the Himeji Board of Education. Applications are due in late February for the following school session that begins in August. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen with residency within the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area and must possess a 4-year degree. Teaching experience and familiarity with the Japanese language are not required.

Program Information

The Teach Abroad Program selects Phoenix residents to spend one to two years in Himeji, Japan teaching English to elementary, junior high, and high school students.

Available Positions:

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

To qualify for the ALT position, a degree in any discipline from a four-year institution is required; however, a teaching certificate is not required
ALTs work alongside and provide support to a local teacher.
ALTs co-teach English at the junior high and elementary school level.

Assistant Supervisor of English (ASE)

To qualify for the ASE position, a four-year degree AND a teaching certificate are required.
- ESL or TOEFL certificates do not qualify as a teaching certificate for the ASE position.
ASEs are responsible for planning their own curriculum and classroom activities with the advice of the program coordinator and the principals of their respective schools.
ASEs will be teaching at the high school level.

Program Calendar:

View the 2021 Teach Abroad Calendar.

All training dates are required for Teach Abroad participants. Participants must attend 75% of Himeji City Committee meetings or events that occur between April and June. Himeji City Committee meetings are currently hosted virtually and will be subject to change through spring 2022.

Community Lessons

Program participants are expected to give occasional “community lessons” to local adults. These lessons take place in the community rooms of the program’s residence building. In groups, participants will create and give English lessons to the local community. Participants will have the opportunity to observe a community lessor prior to conducting their own. These lessons take place during school breaks.

Pre-departure training and expectations:

Teachers are required to attend monthly two-hour training sessions. For 2022, these training sessions are currently scheduled to be held virtually. Topics may include: required documentation, Japanese language practice, lesson planning, ESL, Japanese culture, etc.
Teachers are required to attend Himeji City Committee meetings to better understand the relationship between Phoenix and Himeji. City Committee meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30pm.
Teachers are required to enroll in a Japanese language program of their choice.
Teachers must become a member of Phoenix Sister Cities.

How to Apply

The 2022 Teach Abroad application is now open. See our Application page to Apply.

View our Application Preview Document to see what you will be asked in the application.

Individuals in their senior year and final semester at university are eligible to apply. Applicants still in school must be on track to graduate in May prior to their respective year of program participation. Due to visa timelines, we cannot accept applicants graduating during the summer term. Applicants must be able to provide a copy of their diploma by June 2022.

Applications and payments must be received on or before the deadline. Any applications received after the deadline (including those postmarked on the deadline) will be considered late and not taken into consideration.

Application Fee

The application and a $25 application fee must be received in our office (not postmarked) by the deadline.

To pay the deposit online, please submit a payment of $25 under the “Donate” button. When checking out, please note that you are an applicant for the 2022 Teach Abroad program.

You can also mail or hand-deliver your application and payment to Phoenix Sister Cities, located on the 20th floor of Phoenix City Hall:

Phoenix Sister Cities

Attn: Teach Abroad

200 W Washington St. 20th Floor

Phoenix, AZ 85003

Application

Applications for the 2022 Teach Abroad Program are now being accepted. All applications are due on February 18, 2022 at 5:00 PM.

Teach Abroad Application 2022

To continue working on your application, return to the URL using the same computer. Before navigating away from the page, click “next” to save your work on the current page.

Ready to Apply? Have you…
• Reviewed the Application Preview Document?
• Reviewed the 2021 Teach Abroad Calendar?
• Updated your resume?
• Written responses to the 2 short-answer questions?
• Collected work history information?

Cost and Benefits

Program Fees:

$25 – application fee (supports training costs)
$45 – Individual membership to Phoenix Sister Cities
$50 – $150 – Japanese language lessons*

Purchase of a Phoenix Sister Cities membership and language lessons is not required prior to being formally accepted into the program.

*Participants select from a list of approved language websites and applications. Proof of purchase is required.

Rent/Utilities:

Apartment costs are subsidized by the Himeji Board of Education. Single style apartments (30 square meters, approximately 323 square feet) and family style apartment (60 square meters, approximately 654 square feet) are available.

Single Apartment cost: 12,390 yen
Family Apartment cost: 30,960 yen

Participants traveling with dependents receive priority for family-style apartments.

The first month’s rent will not be requested until after the first pay day.

Participants pay for utilities; costs vary depending on the participant. Per previous participants, the cost of utilities is about 10,000-26,000 yen per month.

Utilities for Single: approximately 10,000 yen/month
Utilities for Double: approximately 26,000 yen/month

Additional utilities such as for Internet and phone service must be purchased separately.

Salaries:

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

300,000 Yen/month

Assistant Supervisor of English (ASE)

410,000 Yen/month

Note: first salary installments occur approximately 6 weeks after arrival, and once a month thereafter. Participants are highly encouraged to bring money for initial expenses.

Benefits:

Pre-departure trainings which may include language lessons, lesson planning, and cultural information.
Assistance obtaining a Japanese visa
Airfare to and from Himeji, Japan
- Family members must pay for their own airfare
Benefits including vacation time, sick time, and health insurance

FAQ

Trip Preparation

Q: How has COVID-19 impact the 2021 Teach Abroad Program?

The Himeji Board of Education plans to welcome new teachers in August 2022.

Per the regulations to enter Japan, updated in September 2020, foreigners who are seeking residency in Japan may apply for a visa to enter Japan. See the full list of guidelines here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/cp/page25e_000337.html

Any foreigners currently entering Japan with a long-term visa will need a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight. They will then be tested for COVID-19 again upon arrival in Japan. All foreigners will need to quarantine in Japan for 14 days upon arrival and report their temperature each day of the quarantine. Currently, teachers are able to quarantine in their apartment in Himeji.

Regulations may change prior to August 2022. Phoenix Sister Cities will keep participants updated with any changes.

Q: Are there any immunizations that need to be done in advance?

A: No immunizations are required by the program, although Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended for long-term (greater than 1 month) travelers to rural areas or travelers who may engage in extensive unprotected outdoor activities in rural areas, especially in the evening, during shorter trips. Two vaccines that are recommended for any traveler are MMR and Tetanusdiptheria vaccinations. For the MMR vaccine, two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years. Please consult your physician.

Q: What kind of documentation will participants be required to take with them?

A: Participants must take their passports, visas, and an alternate form of photo ID. It is also a good idea to make copies of each and carry them in your luggage.

Q: How do I go about obtaining a passport?

A: You must apply for a passport in person at the Clerk of the Superior Court, Passport Services at 601 W. Jackson St., Phoenix AZ 85003. To apply for a passport, you must present a certified copy of your original birth certificate. A certified copy of your birth certificate may be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state where you were born. Hospital birth certificates are not accepted. The certificate is required to be submitted with the application and will be returned with the passport. Expired passports may be substituted for a certified copy of the birth certificate. Naturalized Citizens must present their original naturalization papers instead of their birth certificates.

All applicants will be required to provide their social security number.
You must present two passport photos when applying for a passport. These photos must be made especially for your passport. Please consult your yellow pages under photographers or passports to obtain appropriate pictures. Family snapshots, portraits or school pictures are not acceptable as passport photos.
You must present valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID when you apply. Picture bank cards, school identification, temporary or expired forms of government-issued identification are not acceptable forms of identification.
The standard passport application form (DS-11) and all other necessary forms are available at the Clerk’s Office or can be downloaded from the Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov.
Please allow ample time for this process, as the normal processing time for a passport is eight weeks.

Find more information on applying for a passport here:

https://www.maricopa-az.gov/departments/city-clerk/passport-info

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

Q: How do I go about obtaining a visa?

A: Phoenix Sister Cities (PSC) will assist with the visa process. Participants will submit their passport, (2) passport-size photos, a completed visa application, and release of liability to the Japanese Embassy in Los Angeles. Visa applications will be given to program participants at their first mandatory meeting and can be completed upon receipt of paperwork by the Himeji Board of Education, which includes flight details. PSC can also assist with obtaining visas for family members accompanying you to Himeji.

Q: In order to have the Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Immigration office, what do participants need to submit?

A: Phoenix Sister Cities will submit the following information to the Himeji Board of Education to process the Certificate of Eligibility. The Certificate of Eligibility is required prior to processing the visa paperwork. Participants will need to present the following items due at the April meeting:

1) Two pictures per person (passport size)

2) A copy of original diploma

3) Copy of passport

4) Signed contract

5) Information sheet

Q: Do I need to become a member of Phoenix Sister Cities?

A: Yes, program participants are required to become members of Phoenix Sister Cities. Personal membership fees vary in cost; there are student, single adult, senior and family rates available. You will receive monthly newsletters, discounted offers, invitations and additional announcements on various Phoenix Sister Cities events and programs with your membership.

Q: How will I be taxed while I am in Japan? What is the process and or what are the forms that I will need to complete?

A: The agreement between Japan and the United States that allowed teachers to be exempt from Japanese taxes ended in October 2019. Teachers will be expected to pay Japanese taxes. Individual tax questions should be directed to the IRS and can be answered by phone at 1-800-829-1040.

Life in Himeji

Q: What is the weather like in Himeji?

A: The weather in Himeji is generally mild, as it is surrounded by the sea. The summer (June through August) is warm 78-86F, and humid with a rainy season in early June. The winter is generally mild with occasional snow.

Q: What is the national currency?

A: The official currency of Japan is called the yen. Coins come in denominations of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500, while paper notes come in denominations of ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥ 5,000, and ¥10,000. For a quick and convenient reference on exchange rates, please go to www.xe.com. U.S. dollars may be exchanged for Japanese yen at any bank with the “Authorized Money Changer” sign in the window. For more information regarding other currencies, contact your local bank prior to departure.

Q: What kind of electrical outlets do they use in Japan?

A: Voltage in Japan is 100 volts. A typical electrical plug in Japan is round with two flat, parallel, vertical blades. If a voltage converter is needed, they can be found at Fry’s Electronics or Amazon.

Q: When are the Banks and the Post Office open?

A: In Japan, bank and post office accounts may be used for savings; funds transfers; paying utility bills (electricity, gas, etc.), phone bills, and NHK television reception bills by automatic withdrawal from one’s account; paying credit card bills; etc. This is equivalent to what Americans refer to as automatic withdrawal.

Most banks are open from 9AM until 3PM Monday through Friday and most post offices are open from 9AM until 4PM.

Q: What is the food like in Japan?

A: In the city of Himeji, you can generally find any type of food. Some popular Japanese dishes include Sushi, Sashimi, Bento, Soba, Gyudon and Tempura.

Q: How do you order in a Japanese restaurant?

A: To order in a Japanese restaurant you usually either push a button that is on the table to signal to the wait staff or you say “sumimasen” which means “excuse me.” You do not ever leave tips. Everything else is about the same as in the United States.

Q: Can my family/friends send me mail and care packages?

A: Yes, your family/friends can send you mail and packages, but it is fairly expensive to mail packages overseas. The price is dependent on the weight of the package and the speed at which the package is sent. Some other items to be aware of are the international regulations on the types of things that can be sent. No food, alcohol, plants or medicine may be shipped overseas. For more information or to get price quotes you can visit www.fedex.com or ups.com.

Housing/living arrangements:

Q: Do all participants have their own apartment?

A: Yes, all ALTs and ASEs will have their own single apartments with the option of acquiring a larger, family-style apartment. The cost for a family-style apartment is higher than that of a single apartment.

Q: Do all participants live within the same building?

A: Yes, all program participants live in the Shirasagi Residence Complex along with the program JET participants from Australia, Britain, and Canada. The SRC is centrally located to most schools the program works with and near public transit.

Q: Will I have internet access in my apartment?

A: Internet access is not included in your apartment rent, although it is available for purchase.

Q: Can I take my pet(s) with me? Purchase them while in Himeji?

A: No, pets are not permitted in the apartment complex.

Q: What is the city transportation system like? Will it be necessary to acquire any other means of transportation?

A: Means of transportation in Himeji include Japan Railways (JR), Sanyo Electric Railway, City Buses, the Shinki Bus Company, and taxis. JR, the largest railway network in Japan, goes almost everywhere in the country. The shinkansen bullet train will take you to all the major cities in Japan in a very short time, though an extra charge for express train service must be paid. The Sanyo Electric Railway is a private rail service linking southern Himeji to Kobe and Sannomiya. Bus services provided by the city and Shinki Bus Company offer service to virtually every nook and cranny in Himeji. Buses and trains in Japan do a superb job of staying on schedule, so it is highly recommended that you take advantage of these efficient means of transportation. A Commuter Pass allows users unlimited use of transportation services within a certain area during a specific period of time (one-month, three-month or six-month periods). Participants will be given a transportation stipend to assist in commuting to and from school. The transportation stipend is to be used at the discretion of each participant. Program participants may purchase a commuter pass, a bicycle, both or nothing at all.

Q: Does Himeji have an international or English-speaking school for kids traveling with me?

A: No, Himeji does not. Kobe, a capital city of Hyogo Prefecture, has international schools. It takes about one hour from Himeji to Kobe by train.

Insurance and Healthcare

Q: What kind of insurance will be covered in the insurance package?

A: The Himeji Board of Education will prepare Health Insurance cards upon participants’ arrival in Himeji. All program participants are covered under four types of insurance:

National Health Insurance
Pension Insurance
Accident Insurance
Employment Insurance

Q: When does the Health Insurance begin?

A: The Health Insurance begins on the start date of the participant’s signed contract. It covers 70% of your medical expenses for illness and injuries and includes:

Medical examinations
Provision of medical supplies/medications (Please note, some medications common in the United States are not permitted or accessible in Japan.)
Emergency treatment, surgery, and other treatments, including dental
In-home hospital care
Hospitalization and nursing

The insurance does NOT include:

Preventative medicines
Physical check-ups
Cosmetic surgery
Dental checkups or cleaning
Eye exams or eyewear
Pregnancy exams

Meet Our Teachers

All of our teachers come from various backgrounds and experiences. We encourage anyone interested who meets the requirements to apply. Living abroad and making a difference in a foreign country is a unique opportunity not available to everybody. Upon their return, teachers find that they have learned quite a bit from the very students they were teaching.

Meet our program participants

2021-2022 Teachers, View Bios