American Christian college students (ages 18 ~ 24) are needed to befriend our Japanese students when they come to the U.S. (Orlando, FL).  Mission To Japan is looking for godly, mature and outgoing Christian students who will join our Japanese students for outings and retreats.  Our Japanese college student guests love making friends with American students around their own age, and they are curious about our beliefs and lifestyle.  Check the "Homestay Schedule" and find out where and when our Japanese students are coming.  Then join us as much as you can. If it's your first time, we ask that you fill out a simple application. 
 

Student Retreat at Cocoa Beach:  American students will especially want to join our 5 day/4 night retreat in Cocoa Beach. We usually have a group of about 18 ~ 25 people (including both Japanese and American college students).  Most of the Japanese students have recently come to the U.S. for the first time. They’re staying in Orlando for about 3 ~ 4 weeks with Christian host families. The beach retreat is one exciting part of their stay. Activities at the retreat include fun group games on the beach and in our meeting hall, music, dancing, sharing one-on-one about our beliefs, cooking, eating together, prayer time, and just hanging out. Most of the Japanese students are not Christians but are curious about what we believe. This gives us a great opportunity to share about our beliefs and faith, while making new friends among both Japanese and other American students.

When is it?  Every year the student retreat at the beach (usually Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach) is held during UCF's Spring Break in March and in August (around the first or second week in August).

 

2024 Cocoa Beach Retreat Dates:  

Spring Break: Monday March 18 ~ Friday March 22, 2024 

Summer:  Monday August 12 ~ Friday 16, 2024 

 

The cost of the retreat is $300 but scholarship funds or financial aid is available as needed. You can apply for financial help within the online application (see the application link below).  This fee  covers the retreat costs, four nights/five days at the hotel and 4 dinners.  In addition, you'll need to spend about $30 ~ $40 for lunch and breakfast.  Each room or suite of 4 ~ 6 roommates will go grocery shopping and split the cost of groceries for breakfast and lunch. There are usually 4 ~ 6 students per hotel room or suite (usually a mix of Japanese students and American students) and we'll stay at a hotel on or very near the beach.  Not only will you be able to share your faith with Japanese students, but you'll make some great friends with the Japanese students and other American Christian students too. 

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Click here to go to our online application.