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

4120+

local community members participated in our exchange programs

10

host cities, collaborators, and institutions

OUR HISTORY

September 2017

Our humble beginnings: The Mino/Boston Exchange Program started. Later, this program was 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 one cable TV Program.

August 2019

The program started off with 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.

CEI 5th anniversary

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.

Aug 2024

3-day Summer English Active Presentation Camp in the Fukuoka and Nagoya areas for high school students, and a 2-week English Immersion After-School Program in Kani city.

OUR PEOPLE

Tahoe

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Mikiyo

Founder and CEO, Cultural Exchange Initiative
Yu

2022, 2023, 2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
CEI Online English Class Instructor
Yool

2023, 2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Aztech

2023, 2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
:Re_ event Performing Artist
Luis

2019 CEI Spark Exchange Program
2020 JET Program Successful Applicant
Julie

2019 Spark Exchange Program
Evan

2022, 2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
2023 JET Program Successful Applicant
CEI Online English Class Instructor
Grace

2018 Spark Exchange Program
Bob

2019 Spark Exchange Program
Bill

2019 Spark Exchange Program
Emi

CEI Japanese Class Instructor
Philip

2019 Spark Exchange Program
Doug

2019 Spark Exchange Program
Milton

2018 Spark Exchange Program
Bingnan

COO, Cultural Exchange InitiativeSpark Program Manager
Ryo

CEI Local Partner
Founder of Yasashii Mahoutsukai NPO (Japan)
Ayako

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
Chiemi

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
Tony

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Harrison

2023, 2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Keenan

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
2023 JET Program Successful Applicant
Qingyang

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Joe

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program Academic Advisor
Sankoda

CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
Taniguchi

CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
Lucas

2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Yohan

2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Rachel

2024 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Ijima

2024 Spark Exchange Program
Aoshima

2024 Spark Exchange Program
Watanabe

2024 Spark Exchange Program
Kurosawa

CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner
Yamashita

CEI Spark Exchange Program Local Partner