OUR MISSION
Our mission is to advance intercultural understanding between people in Japan and in the U.S.
We deliver massive exposure to language and cultural immersion. Our programs empower participants and local communities to thrive because we focused on lifting everyone’s communication skills, connecting locals, and providing new possibilities – ensuring their experience is always first.
OUR IMPACT
2500+
volunteering hours contributed by our participants
1120+
local community members participated in our exchange programs
8
host cities, collaborators, and institutions
OUR HISTORY
September 2017
Our humble beginnings: The Mino/Boston Exchange Program started. Later this program rebranded to CEI Spark.
August 2018
17 days, 7 schools, and numerous exchange experiences with CEI began making headlines in Mino City. Reported by 3 newspaper articles and 1 cable TV Program.
August 2019
The program started off with a success, providing a mix of intense Japanese courses and cultural immersion in the city of Mino.
June - July 2020, 2021
Weekly online conversations, classes, and even book translation projects involving students from Mino, Nagoya, and Tokyo.
Aug 2022
3-week exchange program in Kani City.
Aug 2023
3-day Summer English Active Presentation Camp in the Nagoya area for 30 high school students, and a 2-week English Immersion After-School Program in Kani city.
OUR PEOPLE
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Julie
2019 Spark Exchange Program
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Yu
2022 CEI Spark Exchange Program
CEI Online English Class Instructor -
Mikiyo
Founder and CEO of Cultural Exchange Initiative
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Luis
2019 CEI Spark Exchange Program
2020 JET Program Successful Applicant -
Evan
2022 CEI Spark Exchange Program
2023 JET Program Successful Applicant
CEI Online English Class Instructor -
Grace
2018 Spark Exchange Program
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Bob
2018 Spark Exchange Program
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Bill
2019 Spark Exchange Program
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Emi
CEI Japanese Class Instructor
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Philip
2019 Spark Exchange Program
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Doug
2019 Spark Exchange Program
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Milton
2018 Spark Exchange Program
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Bingnan
CEI Staff, Operations
CEI Spark Exchange Program Manager -
Ryo
CEI Local Partner
Founder of Yasashii Mahoutsukai NPO (Japan) -
Ayako
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
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Chiemi
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
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Tony
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Harrison
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Keenan
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Qingyang
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Joe
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Academic Advisor
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Yool
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Sankoda
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Partner
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Taniguchi
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Partner
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Aztech
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Guest Speaker
:Re_ event Performing Artist -
Lucas
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
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Tahoe
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Support Our Journey
Our partner institutes and cities