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The Mimi Kuriyama Fellowship honors Masako "Mimi" Kuriyama, wife of former Ambassador of Japan Takakazu Kuriyama, for her intercultural spirit and commitment to mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. The Kuriyama Fellowship is a $2000 award that provides an opportunity for further study and professional development for an educator in the field of Japan-related intercultural education. All applicants must submit a creative proposal of Japan-related study and outreach, which must include graduate-level study at the University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP). The Kuriyama Fellowship seeks educators who will inspire other teachers to learn more about U.S.-Japan relations, communicate and interact with regional educators, and help teachers motivate the rising generation to act harmoniously and effectively in a multicultural world.

Exceptional Work of the Kuriyama Fellows
Since 1996, Kuriyama Fellows have contributed extensively to scholarship on Japan. With a focus on K-12 education, works include thematic artifact collections, scholarly articles on the use of literature and artifacts to explore culture, and a website source guide for students and teachers to explore Japan. Below is a selected list of works that Kuriyama Fellows have produced.

1. Tracy Mahoney, an international education consultant at the University of Maryland, has created several Kuriyama Discovery Boxes which help students discovery culture through artifacts and has also the contributed to Discovering Culture in Education (ERIC Clearninghouse on Assessment and Evaluation, 1998). (See the MARJiS Junior High School Box. )

2. Elizabeth Eder, currently with the University of Maryland at College Park, has contributed a chapter in Hidden Messages (Intercultural Press), that guides teachers through the use of artifacts as cultural study. (Refer to Intercultural Press for information on publications.)

3. Nancy Traubitz, formerly with Montgomery County Maryland Public Schools and now at the University of Maryland's Center for Renaissance and Baroque Studies, has recently published an article on comparative literature in Education About Asia (Vol. 5, No. 2: Fall, 2000) entitled "Suggestions for Comparing The Life of an Amorous Woman, Moll Flanders, and Memoirs of a Geisha." (See the Association for Asian Studies, Education About Asia.)

4. Barry Sprague, a science resource teacher in Washington, D.C., has created an in-depth Japan website resource guide that is in use in public schools in the nation's capital. The guide is organized thematically with useful websites for teachers and students on Japan-related topics such as "Sumo", pop music idols, and history and geography, and is available upon request at the MARJiS office.

5. Catherine Higbee, a graduate student studying international and comparative education at the University of Maryland at College Park, is creating a cross-cultural, scholary article, audio-visual, and artifact based resource-trio which explores Japanese classroom management practices at the elementary school level and their possibilities for U.S. educators and classrooms.

6. Lary MacDonald, currently a graduate student in International Education Policy at the University of Maryland in College Park, is in the process of creating a multimedia powerpoint presentation on schooling in Japan, merging scholarship wiht photographs, video, and artifacts.

7. Duane Arbogast is currently the principal at Ridgeway Elementary School in Anne Arundel County and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership. Ridgeway Elementary is involved in a cultural exchange with Higashi Elementary School in Japan. The grant will be used to support the cultural exchanges between teachers and students from both schools. The exchange, featuring a variety of media, is centered around daily life in the two schools and is designed to promote understanding and cultural literacy.

Who is Eligible?

The Fellowship is open to prospective and established leaders of intercultural education programs--classroom teachers, school principals, curriculum specialists, administrators, graduate students, or faculty in relevant fields.

How to Apply?

Applicants must demonstrate the willingness and ability to engage in rigorous and challenging Japan-related study, experience, and professional development. Each applicant must submit the following:

A completed Application Cover Form, including signature and date. (see attached)

A Proposal of Study and Outreach, in the form of an essay, that addresses the following questions, in whatever order you might choose:

1. Why are you interested in Japan-focused intercultural education and what are your expectations and commitment for carrying out your proposal?
2. Describe your previous efforts and experience in intercultural education and teaching about other cultures. How does this proposal fit into your developing knowledge in this field?
3. Discuss your plan of study. Include the course(s) you intend to take at UMCP.
4. Outline how you will use the fellowship funding to achieve the goals of your plan.
5. Describe your plan of educational outreach to disseminate and share the knowledge gained with regional educators, colleagues, students, Japanese counterparts, professional associations, community organizations, museums, libraries, etc.

One endorsement letter from an academic advisor or equally appropriate person who can attest to the level of commitment and creativity of the applicant and his/her plan.

A Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Documentation acknowledging your acceptance as an advanced special student or admission to an approved Master's or Doctoral program at the University of Maryland at College Park.

How will the Mimi Kuriyama Fellow be Chosen?

Staff of the International Center for the Study of Education Policy and Human Values will review all applications and rank applicants according to qualifications and quality of submissions. The top two or three applicants will be interviewed by the Selection Committee that will comprise of one or more of the following: the International Center Director, a University of Maryland faculty member, one former Kuriyama Fellow and/or a representative from the Organizing Committee for the Kuriyama Fellowship Program.

How will the Mimi Kuriyama Fellow be Recognized?

Kuriyama Fellows will be recognized by the University of Maryland, the International Center for the Study of Education Policy and Human Values, and by Mrs. Kuriyama herself, in a public forum yet to be determined.

Applications must be postmarked by June 3, 2003.

For more information, please call or write:

The International Center for Transcultural Education
3104 Benjamin Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
TEL: 301-405-7350
FAX: 301-405-3573
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International Affairs Banquet, University of Maryland (September 26, 1996)

A Celebration to Honor Recipients of the Masako "Mimi" Kuriyama Fellowship (May 18, 2001)