As with everything, there is a time for change, and back in June, Bill Brown announced that he would limit his time with the Haddonfield Japan Exchange and step down as director.
Mr. Brown remains the Director Emeritus of the HJE. The program is now run by three co-directors: Carlton Chin, Tara Ryan, and Deb Whiting, along with a strong Board that currently totals 16 members of our community. The HJE is a great opportunity for our high school students (most students who participate this year should be 9th-11th graders) to experience Japanese culture, and make new friends. Below are more notes and highlights.
The exchange is now accepting applications to travel to Japan during the Summer of 2020, with “rolling acceptances” set to start in mid-December. The trip will take place in early July, and last approximately two weeks.
The journey to Japan has been an incredibly positive experience for hundreds of students and their families. Students are responsible for travel expenses (airfare, bus, etc.) and souvenir money. All other expenses and activities are covered by the HJE’s fundraising efforts. The program is open to teenage students who reside in Haddonfield. Students make international and lifelong friends, while gaining firsthand experience on other cultures.
Since 2006, the Haddonfield Japan Exchange (HJE) has sent hundreds of students to Japan — and welcomed hundreds of Japanese students to Haddonfield. The program became a 501(c)(3) non-profit student exchange program in 2016. The HJE is supported by several local organizations and businesses, most notably Subaru of America, Sagami, the Haddonfield Lions Club, and the Haddonfield School District.
For more information, visit the organization’s website: www.HJEx.org, or email: Tara Ryan or Carlton Chin at HJE08033@gmail.com.
