Title: Resident Assistant
Program: Tomodachi Initiative
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Program Dates: July 20-August 12, 2010.
Remuneration: DOE + full room & board payable upon completion of the program.

Program Description:

Since 1981, Ayusa has been a leader in providing life-changing cultural exchange experiences for high school students around the world. As part of the Tomodachi initiative, in collaboration with the Center for Cities and Schools at UC Berkeley, Ayusa has designed an intensive three week program for Japanese high school students focusing on global leadership development and community service. Students will engage in a participatory learning process modeled after the Y-PLAN methodology (developed by the UC Berkeley Center for Cities & Schools), which guides students through a process to engage real-world stakeholders and participants in global sustainability projects. Students will learn leadership skills, and develop individual community service action and volunteer projects to implement in their home communities. The program will feature extensive contact with Americans through their academic program, a weekend homestay, social and sightseeing activities, along with exposure to American culture and values.

The program design incorporates community service projects, cultural enrichment activities, global skills training, and other types of experiential individual and group learning to develop civic responsibility and commitment to communities as well as inspiring future leaders to be agents of positive change. Additionally, the program aims to equip participants to take action locally on issues of international importance and to empower, inspire and prepare them to work towards creating a peaceful international community.

Job Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to work with youth from Japan, and to engage alongside them in a challenging and dynamic learning process. The ideal Resident Assistant enjoys working with youth and is interested in youth leadership and community development.

Resident Assistants (RAs) play a dynamic role in the Tomodachi Initiative including:

• Serve as academic coaches throughout the three-week project-based learning experience
• Serve as “resident assistants” in the dorms at UC Berkeley
• Provide overall support (academic, social, emotional, etc) for students attending the program
• Accompany students on field trips around the Bay Area (Stanford University, Berkeley City Hall, CA State Legislature, etc)
• Coordinate/run a series of evening and weekend social/fun events
• Requirements:
• UC Berkeley undergraduate, or recent graduate preferred
• RA’s need to commit to all 3+ weeks (training/UC Berkeley)
• Full-time availability during training/program dates. RAs will reside in the dorms and provide general supervision at all times
• RA’s must pass background check
• Experience working with youth preferred (ideally with experience in Y-PLAN or a similar youth engagement process)
• Knowledge of youth leadership highly desirable
• International experience preferred
• Experience navigating cross-cultural differences
• Japanese fluency desirable
• Experience with Y-PLAN desirable

Deadline: Rolling

To Apply: Please submit cover letter and resume to Menraj Sachdev at msachdev@ayusa.org