MISSION:
With an eye toward the future, and a deep passion for contributing to a better world of young educators, the JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION (DBA: Aurora Foundation) was established in 1998 as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization (ID # 31-1639219) by Dr. Akiko Agishi who serves as its President.
The primary goal of the foundation is to assist U.S. citizens, who are Japanese language teachers or graduate students of Japanese language education, to experience living in Japan and further their understanding of the Japanese language, improve their teaching abilities, and enrich their appreciation of Japanese culture through scholarships.
JLSF SCHOLARSHIPS:
The primary goal of the scholarships are to assist United States citizens, who are Japanese language teachers or graduate students of Japanese language education, to experience living in Japan and further their understanding of the Japanese language, improve their teaching abilities, and enrich their appreciation of Japanese culture. All their future students will share in the benefits realized from these scholarships.
AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT:
awarded to a US citizen who resides in California and has a unique dream, in any field of endeavor, which is related to Japanese culture and which would never be realized without traveling to Japan. The award goes to an individual with a creative dream or challenge that if fulfilled, would contribute to global goodwill and intercultural appreciation. By awarding this grant, the Aurora Foundation hopes to help the winner enhance their pursuit of their truest, most heartfelt dream by providing them with the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience. Through this experience, and by furthering the pursuit of their dream projects, the recipients continue to gain and share a better understanding of Japan.
HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH CONTEST:
To encourage the younger generation, the Aurora Foundation holds a speech contest for
non-native Japanese speaking high school students in the United States, in association with the American Association of Teachers of Japanerse and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. The winner is invited to take part in the Japanese speech contest held every summer in Tokyo.
The Aurora Foundation has bestowed scholarships and grants to 68 recipients within the last decade.
In 2009, the foundation started “Japanese Culture and Language Program.” It is designed to give an introduction to selected aspects of the Japanese culture and useful language relevant to the culture. Participants are encouraged to explore their own cultural heritage in comparison to the Japanese culture and language.
The Aurora Foundation holds several fundraising events throughout the year. This includs the Japanese Film Screening and the Charity Golf Classic in the spring, and the Award Dinner/Luncheon and Benefit Concert in the fall. Net proceeds fund the Aurora Foundation’s scholarship programs and Aurora Endowment Fund.
In addition, these fundraising events have become signature events in a local community, and the Foundation is proud to be part of a Japanese/ American community in Southern California.
It is the Aurora Foundation’s goal that the learning experience attained by the scholarship recipients and by the fundraising events will positively affect the mainstream USA and will enhance goodwill between the USA and Japan.