Faculty of Global Studies offers "overseas study" as a compulsory subject for second-year students, and students can choose between short-term, medium-term, and long-term study abroad depending on their goals. Positioned as the main event of the first half of their four-year university life, students who have spent about a year and a half since enrolling in the university deepening their language skills and understanding of different cultures, as well as learning about Japanese culture that can be conveyed overseas, will be able to test the results of their studies in this study abroad.
Departures for students enrolled in 2020 had been postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have now narrowed it down to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where travel is now possible, and the training period has been changed to two months. Here are some comments from students from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, who departed on April 3rd. The training program at this university is based on the goal of improving English proficiency through English language study, attending faculty lectures, and participating in extracurricular activities. In addition, students will gain mutual understanding through interactions with local students at a variety of university events.
In class, we learned about comfort foods and holidays. We deepened our learning through games and group work, and made presentations on Japanese holidays by creating slides. During this study abroad, I was determined to be conscious of and put into practice the importance of "actively speaking up in class" and "taking the initiative in communication." In class, I always sit in the front row and immediately ask questions about things I don't understand, which has allowed me to gradually reduce my "weaknesses." I also try to go to Library alone to work on assignments in an environment where I can concentrate.
As for activities, off-campus we toured the Capitol and participated in a tulip event, and on-campus we had many experiences, such as "interacting with students studying Japanese and at Christian churches," "participating in the Washburn Student Conference," "watching the speech competition finals," and "observing classes taught by seniors and participating in discussions." We enjoyed everything to the fullest, actively talked to students, exchanged contact information, and talked about our respective cultures, and I was happy to be able to make plans to hang out privately with the students we became friends with.
Kana Higuchi, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Studies (graduated from Minami Katsushika High School)
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