Popularity of Japan's Educational Experience Program 'Educational Study Abroad'

Kokonohe Town in Akita Prefecture, Japan, is gaining attention for its 'educational study abroad' program targeting elementary and junior high school students from other regions. This program allows students to experience local life by attending elementary and junior high schools in Kokonohe Town for several days up to two weeks. It's popular due to its flexible operation, including recognizing attendance at the student's original school. Educational study abroad students interact not only with the school but also with the local residents, and some families have even been captivated by the environment and relocated to the town.

This system started in 2022, with the town's elementary and junior high schools accepting educational study abroad students. Last year, a total of 20 students participated between June and February. There's a condition that they must stay at an accommodation facility with their parents or at a relative's house.

Kikuchi Kana, a fourth-grade elementary school student from Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, has experience with educational study abroad trips to Kokonohe Town, where she has relatives. She stayed for five days last year and recalls, "The snowball fight physical education class was the most fun."

Kokonohe Elementary School has classrooms without doors, so children interested in other classes can visit and say, "Can you get me a handout?" After school and on holidays, local residents serve as instructors, offering various programs like music, sports, and esports, allowing interaction with numerous community members regardless of age.

One family that completed the educational study abroad program decided to move from Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, to Kokonohe Town after just a month and a half. They felt a gap between Kokonohe Town's educational goals and general perceptions. They also expressed regret that time constraints prevented them from asking all the questions they had.

Therefore, they announced that they would introduce Kokonohe Town's education from three perspectives: 'formal education,' 'non-formal education,' and 'informal education,' using their eldest son as a case study. Informal education refers to learning in everyday life. In Kokonohe Town, the natural environment and traditional culture are well-preserved, allowing children to interact with nature on a daily basis and learn about the origins of seasonal ingredients. Another characteristic is the adults' attitude of freely sharing knowledge and skills with children without distinction.

In this way, Kokonohe Town's education organically links these three types: formal, non-formal, and informal education. Through various experiences, each educational study abroad family can build their unique experience, which varies depending on the season and chance encounters. This family directly experienced not only the flexibility of classroom instruction but also the diverse informal education in Kokonohe Town. They recalled that observing the lifestyle of the townspeople was similar to the field training conducted by high school or university students.

The reason for deciding to move to Kokonohe Town was due to their eldest son, who was unable to attend school perfectly due to health reasons throughout the educational study abroad period. This was because he experienced long-term trauma after witnessing a family member suffering from a mental illness. While concerned about being further away from the teachers, they were encouraged by a professional counselor who suggested that "if a change is needed, it might be worthwhile to try healing both body and mind through educational study abroad." This encouraged them to make the decision.

The appropriate educational approach can differ depending on individual circumstances and situations. This family had experienced various educational programs before but ultimately realized that fragmented education alone could not ensure a child's healthy growth. They believe that Kokonohe Town's educational study abroad program is meaningful because it offers children opportunities to freely experience the town's rich educational environment and learn autonomously. They plan to continue supporting their two children's growth while observing it within Kokonohe Town's diverse and flexible educational system.