Admissions
We are actively looking for organizations that can benefit from our Rural Leaders Training Program: grassroots organizations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Near East, and the Pacific that work directly with rural communities and who are willing to invest in valuable training for their key staff.
We also welcome inquiries and applications from such organizations and communities themselves. We are waiting to hear from you!
On this page, you can find out how your organization/community can partner with ARI and what the steps are to send a Rural Leader for the ARI Training.
The organization may be an international, national or local NGO; religious organization; or other organization based in a rural area, with a clear history of working for at least 3 years with marginalized people in the local community, and a commitment toward self-sustainability .
Anyone interested in taking part in the ARI Rural Leaders Training Program must be employed or actively involved in an organization that will serve as her/his Sending Body (SB). Private persons cannot apply.
until June 30
Complete the Sending Body Application to register your organization
ARI reviews the Sending Body submission
July
Upon approval, we send you the Individual Application materials
until July 31
Your nominated individual submits the ARI Individual Application form
August
ARI reviews the applicant’s submission
November
We inform the applicant and SB of the result
November to March
Prepare visa & air ticket
Last week of March
Travel to Japan
April 1
Training starts
Stage 1
Apply for Sending Body (SB) Registration
ARI views grassroots organizations as partners toward a common mission: to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world.
In order to form a productive partnership, it is essential to begin with a mutual understanding of each other’s work and mission. This is why we carefully review each organization’s work and goals to determine whether they are compatible. Upon approval of your application, your organization will be registered as a potential Sending Body.
The organization may be an international, national, local NGO; religious organization; or other organization based in a rural area.
A clear history of working for at least 3 years with marginalized people in the local community.
A commitment toward sustainability.
Single church organizations should apply through their regional association or Diocesan authority.
Government offices or departments are normally not considered as Sending Bodies.
ARI does not promote church planting evangelism, large-scale agriculture, and industrial development, and will not consider organizations with these goals.
(1) Completed Sending Body Application
(2) Informational materials about your organization, such as brochures, annual reports, and project descriptions
(3) Financial statements , such as recent details of income, expenditures, assets, liabilities, and capital
(4) Organization Chart listing the names and positions of your organization’s officers, management, staff, and volunteers, in order of responsibility
(5) NGO Registration Certificate from the government of your country (if applicable)
Reviewing the Sending Body application may take a few weeks or longer. During this process we will contact you to ask some additional questions. If the information received is insufficient, we may ask you to further clarify.
Please submit the Sending Body Application Materials to the Admissions Coordinator, Mr. Kai Shinoda.
The deadline for Sending Body Applications is May 31st.
email: [email protected]
Stage 2
Apply for the Training
Upon approval of your Sending Body registration, we will send you an official ARI Individual Application form for the nominated individual from your organization.
(1) The Applicant should be a woman or a man dedicated to serving people at the grassroots level in rural areas.
(2) ARI places high priority on the training of women, that they may participate more fully and equally in all aspects of society. We strongly encourage the SB to select qualified women leaders to apply for this training program.
(3) The Applicant must have at least 3 years of experience with the Sending Body.
(4) ARI accepts overseas applicants between the ages of 25 to 45. The Applicant must be prepared to live a simple and demanding life. Daily manual labor on the farm and campus is a requirement for all community members, therefore the applicant must be of good physical fitness and health.
(5) The Applicant must be nominated by a Sending Body—a specific organization within which she/he is carrying out her/his work. The Applicant together with the SB must be able to provide a clear objective or plan for use of this training and the SB must pledge to receive the applicant upon completion of this program.
(6) Preference is placed on field staff who are working directly with the people. Those working primarily in administration or in the directorship position will not be considered.
(7) The Applicant should have a motivation and conviction which is grounded in spirituality. We welcome people of all faiths as well as those without any particular religion.
(8) English is used for all program events as well as in daily life. The Applicant should have sufficient ability to communicate in English. There is no need to learn Japanese.
Complete the Individual Application form provided by ARI Admissions. The deadline for submission of this application and all supporting materials is July 31st.
ARI conducts screening from August to September. You will be notified of the results in October.
The training program begins in April of the following year.
Foreigners studying in Japan need to have visa permission to stay in Japan. Please make sure that you acquire a valid passport for the period and fulfill the requirements before you come to Japan.
The candidate must obtain visa by her/his own. Our admissions office supports the visa application and international travel processes from start to finish.
The purpose for your coming to ARI is for study. All of your time will be utilized for that purpose. Your student visa will be issued in Japan after your arrival and can be utilized only for the purpose of training at ARI. ARI will secure your passport throughout the duration of the training program.
Full Participation
Active, responsible, day-to-day participation of everyone in the ARI community is necessary to achieve the purpose of the Rural Leaders Training Program. Participants are expected to attend classes without exemption, except for cases of illness or special participation in supporter events.
Food
At ARI we not only teach self-sufficiency, but practice it; with the whole community taking part in producing the food we eat—from seed, to harvest, to the table. All participants partake in preparing the meals, giving participants many opportunities to discover new and exotic flavors.
Participants must be prepared to eat food that they are not accustomed to eating. ARI produces 95% of its food, and our simple meals reflect the farm’s seasonal harvest, with lots of rice and vegetables. The FEAST (Food Education and Sustainable Table – the ARI Kitchen) staff ensures that each person is provided with a balanced and nutritious diet. Dietary restrictions for health or religious reasons (halal, vegetarian, etc.) will be respected.
Religion
Christian in inspiration, ARI strives to be interfaith in practice, and we openly welcome people of all religions. We strive to form a community in which people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs may fully participate so that we may learn more about one another and explore our own spirituality more deeply. We seek to create a world in which religion does not serve as a tool for dividing people, but for bringing them together. Applicants must understand that there is often Christian prayer, worship, and activities on campus and during the training.
Medical Insurance
As a general principle, the participant and the Sending Body are financially responsible for all medical costs incurred during your stay in Japan. However, ARI provides Japanese National Health Insurance during your stay, which covers part of the medical cost. ARI will not be responsible for covering the costs of treatment for previous or recurring illnesses (such as dental issues, diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, etc.).
In the case of accidents that happen during the training program, part of your hospital bills will be covered by the accident insurance policy which ARI purchases for all participants and Training Assistants. This accident insurance covers such cases as cutting your finger, breaking your leg, and so on. Please note that if ARI determines that your health condition does not allow you to fully participate in the training, we may have to ask you to return home.
No Smoking Campus
In compliance with Japanese law, ARI is a non-smoking campus.
No Personal Fundraising
Participants are not to make individual requests (either directly or indirectly) for funds, gifts, or favors from people in Japan or from overseas guests who visit ARI. The training period is not to be used for fundraising purposes.
Immediate Return after Graduation
You will leave Japan and return home within 10 days of completing this training program in order to continue your valuable work for your people and community together with your Sending Body.
Stage 3
Prepare for the Training
Once an applicant has been officially accepted as a participant of the training program, they must coordinate with ARI through several steps. The Admissions team will guide them throughout the process until they arrive at ARI.
Every training year begins in April and ends in December. Participants are scheduled to arrive in Japan in late March so that they have time to adjust, and return to their home countries before Christmas (25th Dec).
Once an applicant has been officially accepted as a participant of the training program, we will assist you in acquiring the necessary documents (visa) for your study at ARI. Make sure you have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in Japan.
Our admissions team supports the visa application and international travel processes from start to finish. However, the candidate is responsible for making the visit to the embassy in order to obtain their visa.
This visa can only be utilized for the purpose of training at ARI. Additional or part-time work is not permitted with this visa.
Your international travel dates and airlines will be determined by ARI. ARI staff will arrange your transport from Narita/Haneda International Airport to ARI.
It is important that you are healthy before traveling to Japan. We strongly advise that you get a tetanus vaccination in advance. Please have a thorough medical and dental check (including HIV/AIDS) as early as possible to find and treat any health problems.
ARI will provide you with an information booklet during this process. It will contain all necessary information – such as what to pack and what to avoid – to help you prepare for your journey.
Contact & Download
For any questions about the admissions process and the Rural Leaders Training Program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator, Mr. Kai Shinoda.
You can find the above instructions and further details in our Admissions Brochure.
Admissions Brochure
(PDF, 1.7MB)
To learn more about ARI, please read our School Guide.
School Guide
A great overview of ARI and our Rural Leaders Training Program. (PDF, 8MB)
Frequently Asked Questions
About ARI
Is ARI an agricultural training institute?
ARI is first and foremost a Rural Leaders Training Institute. In order to equip Rural Leaders, we use agriculture as a method for learning.
Is ARI a Christian institution? Is it only for Christians?
ARI is an ecumenical Christian institution. It is a member of the United Church of Christ in Japan’s Mission School Council. Participants are expected to attend Christian worship and ceremonies during the training, but we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds. We strive for a diverse community in which we learn to respect other faiths and learn from them.
Does ARI give diplomas or academic degrees?
No. We offer a certificate of completion for the training upon graduation. Our training is about community benefit, not individual prestige.
Qualifications for the Training
Do I need to be the head of my organization to be a Rural Leader?
No. When using the term “Rural Leaders” we do not mean they have to be village chiefs, or directors of organizations. We seek for applicants who live and work in grassroots rural areas.
Do I need to have an advanced educational degree?
No. Our participants come from various educational backgrounds. We hope to support Rural Leaders regardless of their educational qualifications.
My English is not so good. Can I still attend the training?
ARI’s training is conducted exclusively in English. But we accept candidates with weak English skills if they match other criteria of our selection standards. We recommend such applicants to take English classes before coming to ARI.
Do I have to learn Japanese to attend the program?
No. We offer basic Japanese language classes.
I have a physical disability. Can I still attend the training?
The training requires you to be physically fit for farm work, punctual attendance of classes and manual labor. Admission will be considered with care.
Life & Training at ARI
Where will I be living?
We have separate men’s and women’s dormitories where all participants and volunteers live. Additionally, participants will share a room with one other participant, who will be from a different country, and perhaps a different religion. This is one opportunity to practice the ARI motto “That We May Live Together”.
Will I be able to take part-time work during the training?
No. Part-time work is not permitted under participants’ student visas.
Will I be able to attend religious services?
There are Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in the area. There are no Islamic mosques, or temples for Hindus, Jains, or Sikhs in the city. Because of this, we provide a prayer room in the dormitories.
