Know The World 2025 Application Terms and Conditions

Please read these Terms and Conditions (hereinafter, “the Terms”) carefully before applying to the Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program, which is part of the “Know The World – Awich Global Education Project -” (hereinafter, “the Project”) organized by and music Inc. and operated by HelloWorld Inc. and HelloWorld Association. Your application signifies your acceptance of the Terms. If you do not agree to the Terms, please do not apply. Hereinafter, and music Inc., HelloWorld Inc., and HelloWorld Association will be collectively referred to as “the secretariat”.

Application Period

Friday, June 27, 2025 – Saturday, July 12, 2025

Program Implementation Period

November 21, 2025 – December 1, 2025 (Dates are subject to change)

About The Project

This Project is a free initiative designed to provide students from Atlanta, Georgia an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Okinawa and, by extension, gain global educational experience.
The Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program covers the costs associated with the study abroad, pre- and post-study learning, and facilitation before, during, and after the study abroad period.
It’s important to understand that the Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program implemented under the Project is not a tour or travel package organized and operated by the secretariat. Instead, it is a sponsored program that assists applicants with their Okinawa study abroad experience by covering expenses and providing support before, during, and after their stay.

Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program Details

Capacity: 3 students
The secretariat will cover the costs of round-trip airfare between Japan and the U.S., accommodation (homestay), food, local transportation in Okinawa, activity fees, passport application fees, and overseas travel insurance premiums. However, personal purchases such as souvenirs will be at your own expense.
During your stay in Okinawa, you will stay at the home of a Japanese family residing in Okinawa (applicants of the same gender will share a room).
This program is not a travel package; it is a sponsored program that covers the expenses and provides assistance for selected applicants to undertake study abroad in Okinawa. Travel arrangements, such as tickets, will be handled by a travel agency designated by the secretariat.
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the designated meeting and dismissal locations at Atlanta Airport, and all costs and risks associated with this travel are your responsibility.
If a passport is required, it is your responsibility to apply for and obtain it by the deadline specified by the secretariat. Failure to obtain a passport by the deadline may result in the revocation of your selection.
Passport application fees will be reimbursed in cash (Japanese Yen) upon your arrival in Okinawa.

Eligibility

Those who have reviewed and agree to the Terms.
Residents of Atlanta, Georgia who are 20 years old and above and enrolled in university.
Those who are from households with an income between 50% and 150% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL).
Those who with a letter of recommendation from their supervising professor. (maximum one page letter size).
Those who agree to allow the secretariat and media organizations to interview and photograph the applicant’s circumstances at the time of application, before, during, and after the study abroad, and to use the photos and videos for social media, PR, publicity for the activities in subsequent years, and publication in the media organizations.

How to Apply

Please submit the required information via the dedicated application form.

Essay Submission: Please answer the following questions in English.
　Word count: 150-250 words per question
　Questions:
　① Self-introduction (self-PR, accomplishments, experiences where you turned adversity into strength, etc.)
　② Reason for applying (why you want to participate in the Project, what you hope to gain from it)
　③ Future dreams/goals (including how these dreams/goals contribute to creating a better society)
　④ Your “My Project” to conduct in Okinawa (self-directed inquiry activity)
Presentation Video Submission: Submit a presentation video (in English, within 5 minutes) on the content of questions ①-④.

Selection Process

After the application deadline, a rigorous screening process will be conducted to select applicants.
Selected applicants will be notified via email in early July.
Once the selected applicants are confirmed, unsuccessful applicants will also be notified.
If there is no response from the selected applicants within 48 hours of notification, the selection will be invalidated.

Important Notes Regarding Application

Copyrights of essays or videos submitted to the secretariat via the application form are retained by the applicant/submitter. However, upon completion of the application, the applicant grants the secretariat the non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use the submitted materials (including the right to reproduce, translate, adapt, modify, or publicly transmit the materials, as well as the right to grant third parties the right to use such rights) without any restrictions regarding the medium, duration, distribution region, or distribution method. Additionally, the applicant agrees not to exercise any moral rights against the secretariat.

General Cautions

The secretariat reserves the right to change, suspend, or terminate the Project or revoke selection due to the secretariat’s own circumstances.
The secretariat may change the Terms by announcing the details of the changes and their effective date in advance through the internet or other appropriate methods in the following cases:
- When the changes to the Terms are in the general interest of the applicants.
- When the changes to the Terms do not contradict the purpose of the original terms and are reasonable in light of the necessity of the changes, the appropriateness of the revised content, and other circumstances related to the changes.
Matters not stipulated in the Terms will be decided at the discretion of the secretariat.
Applicants shall comply with the operational policies of the secretariat regarding the operation of the Project and shall not raise any objections.
If the secretariat determines that there has been a fraudulent act, the application or selection will be invalidated.
Application cancellations are not accepted.
We cannot answer inquiries regarding internet connection, device usage methods, etc., which are prerequisites for applying to the Project.
The rights of selected applicants cannot be transferred to third parties (the secretariat also cannot accept changes to the selected applicant’s name).
All copyrights, trademarks, design rights, and other intellectual property rights related to the photographs, company logos, images, videos, text, music, and other content posted on the Project website belong to the secretariat or other parties that have obtained permission from the secretariat to use such content. The use of any content on the website, including but not limited to, reproduction, adaptation, redistribution, electronic processing, transmission, distribution, transfer, lending, secondary use, or any other similar acts, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from the secretariat or other authorized parties.
Detailed information about the Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program will be communicated to the selected applicants.
During the Project period, there is a possibility that cameras from the secretariat and news organizations may be present. As stated in the Terms, in such cases, the likeness of individuals who appear in the footage may be used. If you do not agree to this, please refrain from applying.
In the event that the Okinawa study abroad program cannot be held due to the spread of COVID-19, accidents, disasters, typhoons, weather, etc., the program may be canceled (including cancellation mid-program) even on the day of the event.
Individuals with health conditions, those using wheelchairs or other assistive devices, or those with physical or mental disabilities must declare any need for special consideration during the post-selection procedures. The secretariat will accommodate such requests within a feasible and reasonable scope. If the requested measures cannot be arranged, participation may be declined.
Costs incurred for special measures taken by the secretariat for selected applicants based on their request will, in principle, be borne by the selected applicant.
The organizer assumes no responsibility for any worsening of health conditions that occur after the implementation of the Project.
Please be aware in advance that individuals who feel unwell on the day of the Project, or who are otherwise deemed inappropriate by the secretariat, may be refused participation in the Project.
Selected applicants will be required to submit a pledge, a waiver of liability, and a consent form regarding portrait rights for their Okinawa Study Abroad Support Program. If you do not agree to these, you will not be able to participate.

Prohibited Acts

The following acts are prohibited when applying for the Project. The secretariat may invalidate the application or selection eligibility of applicants deemed to have engaged in any of the following acts:

Acts that violate the Terms.
Acts that violate laws or ordinances, acts contrary to public order and morals, or acts that may lead to such.
Criminal acts or acts leading to fraudulent behavior.
Acts that infringe upon the copyrights or other intellectual property rights, portrait rights, privacy rights, or other rights or interests of the secretariat or others, or acts that may lead to such.
Acts that damage the honor or credibility of the secretariat or others, or undermine their trust.
Acts that cause disadvantage or damage to the secretariat or others.
Acts that defame or slander the secretariat or others.
Disclosing the personal information of others without their consent.
Impersonation, such as falsely claiming to be another person or an organization.
Commercial activities using the Project, profit-seeking purposes, or acts for the preparation thereof.
Political activities, election campaigns, or religious activities using the Project.
Acts that obstruct the operation of the Project.
Other acts deemed inappropriate by the secretariat in light of the purpose of the Project.

Disclaimers

Applications for the Project shall be made at the sole discretion and responsibility of the applicant. In the event that any damage is incurred by the applicant in connection with the application, the secretariat shall not be liable for any damage, except in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the secretariat. Furthermore, even in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the secretariat, the secretariat’s liability for compensation shall be limited to direct, ordinary, and actual damages.
The secretariat shall not be liable for any damages arising from the following circumstances:
In the event of an emergency such as a fire, power outage, or deterioration of communication environments;
　- In the event of natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, the spread of infectious diseases, riots, labor disputes, or orders from government agencies; or
　- Other circumstances where the secretariat determines that the conduct or continuation of the Project is deemed impossible.

Handling of Personal Information

The personal information provided will be used for the following purposes:

For the selection process of the Project.
For notification of selection or non-selection for the Project.
For providing appropriate responses to inquiries regarding the Project.
For announcements of products or services from the secretariat.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy: https://hello-world.city/2025awich/privacy-policy-en/

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Project and the Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with the Project shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court in Japan.