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High School Essay Contest

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High School Essay Contest

2025 High School Essay Contest

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Write an essay in English in 300 to 500 words responding to the prompt below:

Tell us about how and why you came to study Japan and the Japanese language.  What is a particular cultural or social issue facing Japan today that particularly interests you?  Explain how actually being in Japan would have a greater impact on your learning.


How to Enter the Contest
Submissions must be received before 11:59 pm (CT) on February 2, 20255. One winner will be selected by judges and contacted by telephone and announced on our website.


Qualifications
•    high school students who will be at least 16 years of age by July 1, 2025
•    U.S. citizen or permanent resident
•    have formally studied the Japanese language for at least one year by June 2025
 

Requirements

•    Entries must include a completed application and essay to be reviewed.
•    Winner must be able to obtain a passport and travel independently to Japan in the summer of 2025.
•    Contestants agree that KCC-JEE may publish their name and essay on our website.
 

Prize*

One winner will be selected and the prize includes roundtrip airfare to Japan, four weeks of Japanese language study in Kyoto, and room and board with a homestay family. There is no cash prize for this contest.

If you have any questions, please contact us at programs@kccjee.org.


*Details subject to change depending on availability of location.

2025 Essay Contest Application Materials

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2024 Winner: Sedona Rain Smith
 
The 2024 Winning Essay
 
Reflection
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