BRIDGE Challenge Trip

BRIDGE Challenge Trip

TopBRIDGE Challenge Trip

What is BRIDGE Challenge Trip?

"BRIDGE Challenge Trip" is an exchange program for Fukuoka children between the 5th grade of elementary school and the 3rd grade of high school held every spring. Each delegation of 18 children (15 children and 3 adult Chaperons) visits a country or region and experiences various cross-cultural activities through homestays, school visits, cultural exchanges, etc. Prior to the trip to the host country, participants will have several pre-departure training sessions in preparation for the exchange program in that country.

★APCC terminology introduction★
Challenge Trip members: 5th grade elementary school students to 3rd year high school students selected through open recruitment.
Challenge Trip Chaperons: adults who lead approximately 15 group members of a delegation overseas and supports the children in their challenges.

Features of Challenge Trip

★A program that challenges you to experience cross-cultural experiences, rather than just a sightseeing trip.
★Experience homestay for about 4 nights at the destination
★Interaction with local children through school visits, social gatherings, etc.
★There will be several training sessions before you travel so you can prepare well
★The contact point for the country to be visited will be a public institution with a long history of exchanges with the APCC.

Activities Overview

Training for members
Before departing for the host country, the participants will learn about the host country and will receive important training to ensure a safe and secure trip. In addition, upon their return, participants summarize their experiences and prepare a presentation for the debriefing session.
Training for Chaperons
The Chaperons who support the participants meet their challenges are volunteers. Prior to departure, there will be three training sessions to provide them with knowledge about the trip and how they can support the children.
Departure
Participants fly from Fukuoka Airport to their respective destinations. At this moment, we can see the high expectations and a little bit of nervousness on the children's faces. Have a safe and pleasant trip!
Visit to schools and embassies
Participants will increase their understanding of local society by visiting local schools, embassies, etc. in the host country.
With local children
There will be opportunities to interact with children during school visits and homestay programs. This is a great opportunity for you to communicate with them.
With host family
Each participant lives with a host family in the destination country. This allows them to experience authentic local food and life.
With friends
As members of the same delegation, experiencing the program together from training to returning home, they have become friends who will continue to grow together.
Debriefing session
The program concludes with participants presenting what they have learned and experienced to other delegates, parents and the public.

Past dispatch results

[Dispatch business year][Number of groups][Country/region of dispatch]【Number of participants】
20234South Korea, Singapore, Mongolia
Maldives
Total of 72 people
Chaperons: 12 people
Members: 60 people
31st Summer
(2019)
4Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)Total of 72 people
Chaperons: 12 people
Members: 60 people
31st Spring
(2019)
8South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Cambodia, Ipoh (Malaysia), Atlanta (USA)Total 141 people
Chaperons: 24 people
Members: 117 people
30th Spring
(2018)
8Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Cambodia, Ipoh City (Malaysia), Bordeaux City (France)144 people in total
Chaperons: 24 people
Members: 120 people
29th Spring
(2017)
8South Korea, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, Cambodia, Ipoh City (Malaysia), Atlanta City (USA)140 people in total
Chaperons: 23 people
Members: 117 people
28th Summer
(2016)
5Indonesia, Vietnam, New Caledonia, Tonga, Dalian (China)Total of 84 people
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 69 people
28th Spring
(2016)
7China, Singapore, Bhutan, Tahiti, Maldives, Cambodia, Ipoh City (Malaysia)Total 126 people
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 105 people
27th Summer
(2015)
5Thailand, Malaysia, India, Mongolia, Australia85 people in total
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 70 people
27th Spring
(2015)
9South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brunei, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Palau, MaldivesTotal 131 people
Chaperons: 27 people
Members: 158 people
26th Summer
(2014)
4Hong Kong, Vietnam, Fiji, Maldives70 people in total
Chaperons: 12 people
Members: 58 people
26th Spring
(2014)
7Philippines, Bhutan, Brunei, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Ipoh City (Malaysia), Atlanta City (Amelia)Total 115 people
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 94 people
25th Summer
(2013)
2Australia/CambodiaTotal of 34 people
Chaperons: 6 people
Members: 28 people
25th Spring
(2013)
7Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Tonga, Maldives, Ipoh City (Malaysia)Total 126 people
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 105 people
24th Spring
(2012)
7Korea, Indonesia, Bhutan, Brunei, Australia, Hawaii, MaldivesTotal 126 people
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 105 people
23rd Spring
(2011)
7Singapore, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, New Caledonia, MaldivesTotal 125 people
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 104 people
22nd Spring
(2010)
5Thailand, Bhutan, Australia, Hawaii, MaldivesTotal of 87 people
Chaperons: 14 people
Members: 73 people
21st Spring
(2009)
7South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Palau, Maldives, Cambodia123 people in total
Chaperons: 21 people
Members: 102 people
20th Spring
(2008)
10China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, Australia, Hawaii, VanuatuTotal 176 people
Chaperons: 30 people
Members: 146 people
19th Spring
(2007)
5Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, Mongolia, Australia90 people in total
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 75 people
18th Spring
(2006)
5Bhutan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Tahiti, Guangzhou (China)89 people in total
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 74 people
17th Spring
(2005)
5South Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, New ZealandTotal of 87 people
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 87 people
16th Spring
(2004)
5Bangladesh, New Zealand, Guam, Tahiti, Maldives91 people in total
Chaperons: 15 people
Members: 76 people
15th Spring
(2003)
3Mongolia, New Zealand, Busan City (South Korea)Total of 59 people
Chaperons: 10 people
Members: 49 people
14th Spring
(2002)
6China, Mongolia, New Zealand, Guam, Maldives, Ipoh City (Malaysia)Total 134 people
Chaperons: 24 people
Members: 110 people
13th Spring
(2001)
6Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar, MaldivesTotal 112 people
Chaperons: 26 people
Members: 36 people
7th Spring
(2000)
4Malaysia, Fiji, Myanmar, Maldives82 people in total
Chaperons: 10 people
Members: 72 people
6th Spring
(1999)
8China, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Australia, Fiji, Guam, Maldives
5th Spring
(1998)
7Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Australia, Hawaii
4th Spring
(1997)
8China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bhutan, Hawaii, Fiji, Guam, Maldives
3rd Spring
(1996)
9Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Mongolia, Australia, Hawaii, Micronesia, New Caledonia
2nd Spring
(1995)
11China, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Australia, Hawaii, Palau, Guam, Northern Mariana, Maldives
1st Spring
(1994)
10China, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Palau, Micronesia, Tahiti

Flow of dispatch
(Scheduled for dispatch in spring 2025)

【Date】[Contents]
Late October to late November 2024Recruiting members/Chaperons
Late DecemberDetermination of group members and leaders
Sunday, January 26, 2025General training session
February 9th (Sunday)Country Workshop 1
February 23rd (Sunday) - 24th (Holiday/Monday)Overnight training session (2 days, 1 night)
Sunday, March 16Unity ceremony
Late March to early AprilDispatch (Departure - Return: approx. 1 week)
Sunday, April 13Country-specific training session 2
Sunday, April 27Debriefing session

Regarding recruitment of Challenge Trip members and Chaperons

Applications for members and chaperones for the 2025 spring break program are now closed.
Thank you very much for all your applications!

Q&A

FAQ

Q

Please tell me the themes of the assignments for the Challenge Trip application.

A

The content of the assignments varies depending on the year, but for reference, the assignments for the Spring 2024 dispatch are as follows.
【Elementary and junior high school students】
①Why did you decide to apply for Challenge Trip?
②What do you want to try in your destination?
③What kind of person do you want to be in the future?
【High school students】
①What do you want to try in your destination?
②What is the one thing about yourself that is better than others?
③What role do you think you can play in the delegation, which has members ranging from elementary school to high school students?

Q

How much does it cost to participate in the Challenge Trip?

A

Costs vary depending on the destination. Please check the application guidelines as they are listed there.

Q

I'm thinking of applying for the challenge trip with my friends, brothers and sisters, but can we be in the same delegation?

A

We are very sorry, but it is not possible to participate in the same delegation.