Aoyama Gakuin University
Study Abroad Programs
Our diverse overseas study programs foster a rich international perspective
Since its founding, Aoyama Gakuin University has been characterized by its rich internationality. It offers a wide variety of overseas experience programs, from long-term study abroad programs such as exchange programs to short-term programs that serve as a gateway to overseas experience. In this article, we will introduce the significance of studying abroad and other overseas learning, as well as some points to make your studies more meaningful.
To make your study abroad experience fruitful
Director of the International Center, Professor of the Department of Japanese College of Literature Department of Japanese Language and Literature
Yasuhiko Komatsu
Born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture in 1961. Graduated from College of Literature at the University of Tokyo. Completed the doctoral course at the Graduate School of Humanities at the University of Tokyo. PhD (Literature). Specializes in Japanese literature, especially the Manyoshu, book studies, and comparative literature. Currently, he is conducting research on "literary exchange," which deepens mutual understanding with people overseas through literature. His publications include "Research on the History of Manyo Studies" (awarded the Ancient Literature Association Award, the National University Association for Japanese Language and Literature Award, and the Aoyama Academic Award), "Manyoshu and the Japanese" (awarded the Ancient History and Culture Award (Excellent Work)), and "Literary Figures Under War: Poets, Poets, and Novelists Who Lived with the Manyoshu." He has also edited and published "Introduction to Literary Exchange" (scheduled for publication in July 2023). He has been invited to give lectures and present his research at universities in the United States, India, Poland, and other countries. In 2017, he conducted research on Dunhuang manuscripts as a visiting researcher at the British Library.
The world today is becoming increasingly divided due to war, environmental destruction, poverty, human rights violations, etc. In order to overcome these divisions, which sometimes lead to war, as in the case of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine, it is necessary to understand others through "one's own eyes and heart," as represented by studying abroad.
In today's world, we can gain a lot of knowledge through the media. Why is it so important to use one's own eyes and heart in such an age? This is because in the real world, there are cultures and human relationships with subtle nuances that are overlooked in media reports. Being in a local area, speaking directly with people who speak different languages and cultures, and sometimes even clashing, is a great help in finding compromises and thinking about common human problems from various angles. This "physicality" is a major benefit of studying abroad.
There are other events that are not covered by media networks. For example, in early 2020, many people died in Europe due to the spread of COVID-19. A student studying abroad in London told me that he was shocked by the number of "white ambulances" called Private Ambulances. A Private Ambulance is a privately run "ambulance" that mainly transports dead people. The student felt the high number of deaths due to the spread of COVID-19 as something close to home, and reconsidered the need to protect oneself. This situation, including the response of the British government, is hardly reported in Japan, and it is an experience that can only be gained by being there. Gaining a new perspective through real-life experiences, like this international student's, can also be a basis for making decisions to protect one's own life.
Studying abroad also allows you to acquire new ways of looking at things. For example, my specialty is Japanese literature, but research on Japanese literature tends to focus on influences from overseas. However, if you come into contact with local culture and gain perspective on how Japanese literature is accepted overseas, your perspective on Japanese literature will change. I think that acquiring a different way of looking at things will give you the ability to respond flexibly to various things.
However, you won't learn much just by going abroad without any clear idea. In order to make your study abroad experience fruitful, it is important to have a clear sense of purpose and to make thorough advance preparations.
■ About "sense of purpose"
Our university offers a wide variety of overseas experience programs, so students can choose a program that matches their goal of "what they want to learn." Many students go abroad to learn a foreign language, but "language" is the first step in mutual understanding with others. Therefore, I would like students to think not only of "studying abroad to learn a foreign language," but also of "studying abroad to learn something using a foreign language." Overseas, there are academic subjects, research themes, and research methods that are difficult to learn in Japan. For example, representation culture, media arts, environmental studies, and gender studies. War studies is one of them. In order to protect peace, it is also necessary to have a deep understanding of war.
Also, please do not forget our school motto, "Salt of the Earth, Light of the World." Everyone needs salt and light. Rather than aiming to make the most of yourself, be a presence that makes the most of others' existence and makes them shine. In other words, studying abroad is not an opportunity to find yourself, but to think about what you can do overseas and to try and error to contribute to others. As you gain experience, you will begin to see who you are. In order to know the other person to whom you are contributing, it is important to know that person and the culture behind them with your own eyes and heart. By keeping in mind "global servant leadership" based on the desire to contribute, you will be able to grow even more.
■ About "advance preparation"
Careful "advance preparation" also has a direct impact on the outcome of your study abroad experience. By researching in parallel with your goals, such as what subjects are offered at each university and what kind of teachers are there, the region and university you should choose as your study abroad destination will change significantly.
If you want to learn academic English or the culture of a country where English is the native speaker, studying abroad in an English-speaking country is the best option. Meanwhile, as a new initiative regarding exchange programs with partner universities, our university will increase the number of partner universities in non-English-speaking countries such as Central and Eastern Europe and Northern Europe from 2022. This is because we believe that it is beneficial for students to broaden their horizons to countries other than English-speaking countries in order to develop a multifaceted perspective. For example, Serbia is an interesting country that serves as a bridge between East and West. There are many different ways to learn, such as Poland, which has a complex historical background, and Norway, which has a religious view that is common to Japan's ancient nature worship. Especially in non-English-speaking countries, the top schools in each region are partner universities. You can also get a lot of inspiration through interactions with the student population that will be responsible for the future of each country.
When researching the country you are studying in, it is useful to refer to not only specialized books but also the culture and arts of each country, such as literature and music. Also, be sure to gain sufficient knowledge about the relationship between the country you are studying in, Japan, and our university. In San Francisco, where many people want to study abroad, Eiko Matsumoto, a graduate from our university's founding period, worked to relieve earthquake victims. In this way, our university has a long history of exchange with the various regions where we have partner schools.
You will also be asked about Japanese culture at your study abroad destination, so make sure to learn as much as you can about your own country's culture as you can. It is important to look at the unique characteristics of Japanese culture, not just superficial Japonism. For example, if you are interested in makeup, you can focus on the traditional Japanese lipstick "Kurenai" and deepen your knowledge by visiting a museum near your university, which will allow you to delve into the perspective of "coexistence with nature" that lies behind it. It is also a good idea to think about not only traditional culture, but also the characteristics of Japan in your field of research.
I always encourage my students to bring something they are good at, whether it be music, art, sports, or cooking, to their study abroad destination. This is because it can spark conversation, lead to mutual understanding, and give them the confidence to continue studying abroad. I hope that all students will have a clear sense of purpose for studying abroad and have a rich study abroad experience that allows them to build trusting relationships with the people they meet there.
Akashi Shoten "Area Studies: A Chapter for Understanding..."
Example: "60 Chapters to Understand Serbia" (edited by Yoshihiro Shiba and Shinichi Yamazaki), etc.
2. A series that selects and provides only the most valuable knowledge from countries (regions) around the world
Chuokoron-Shinsha (Chuokoron Shinsho) "The Story of..."
Example: "The Story of Poland's History" (by Katsuyoshi Watanabe)
The role of the International Center
International Affairs Department International Exchange Division International Center
Hiroki Sakata
After working in the Career Planning and Placement Department, he took up his current position in 2022.
The International Center provides support to both students of our university who wish to study abroad, and to international students who wish to study at our university. Specific support for our students includes individual counseling for studying abroad, IELTS preparation courses, and support before, during, and after studying abroad. Our university also offers a variety of overseas programs, from short-term to long-term. We encourage students to take advantage of these programs and turn their attention to overseas studies while they are still enrolled.
This is because there are great benefits to studying abroad as a student. It is possible to study abroad after becoming a working adult, but the opportunity to study abroad with students of the same age who are the driving force behind a globalized society is a privilege that only students have while they are students. If the hurdle of long-term study abroad seems high, why not turn your attention to short-term programs? My first experience abroad was a short-term language study abroad program in Cebu, Philippines. Since then, I have visited 20 countries and interacted with people from various backgrounds, which allowed me to personally experience the high level of interest and concern that people overseas have in Japan, and the different values that exist depending on the country and region. These experiences are irreplaceable and have shaped who I am today. It takes courage to take your first step into a new world abroad, but once you take that step, it will be a great driving force for the future for all of you flexible-minded students.
■ Diverse overseas study programs
There are many ways to choose a study abroad destination. However, the most important thing to make your study abroad experience meaningful is to be clear about your purpose in studying abroad. If you start thinking about studying abroad, it is important to research and plan thoroughly as early as possible so that you don't end up returning home without achieving the results you expected. Is the university you are studying at really suitable for your goals? How will you use your study abroad experience after returning home? Think carefully with a long-term perspective and prepare for your study abroad.
There are many variations in study abroad depending on the purpose of studying abroad. For example, combinations of factors such as "English or non-English" x "study period" x "specialization or broad study" x "destination" are possible.
If you want to acquire academic English skills (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary), we recommend a university in an "English-speaking" country. On the other hand, universities in "non-English-speaking" countries attract many students who, like us Japanese, are not native speakers of English, so the hurdle of English proficiency required for studying abroad is somewhat lower than at "English-speaking" universities where English is the native language. Furthermore, "non-English-speaking" universities attract students of many different nationalities from all over the world, so you can experience a diverse environment where people with many different differences coexist. If you are thinking about working in a global environment in the future, studying abroad in English at a "non-English-speaking" university is also a good option.
Here we introduce our overseas programs.
"Study Abroad" is a comprehensive guidebook covering the various overseas programs offered by our university.[Long-term Program]
If you study abroad and take courses appropriately, it is possible to graduate from university in four years (excluding studying abroad while taking a leave of absence).
(1) Exchange program with partner universities (six months or one year)
(2) Accredited school study abroad (semester or year) If you are unable to achieve your purpose of study abroad (language or educational content you want to learn) at our partner university, or if you are not selected for the "Affiliated University Exchange Program," you can choose to study abroad at an accredited school. Since you will be choosing your own study abroad destination, you will need to meet the application requirements and make all of the preparations for studying abroad (gathering information, applying, selecting, and enrolling) on your own. You will also need to pay tuition fees to both our university and the host university.
(3) Study Abroad (Semester) Based on the Faculty Curriculum: School of Global Studies and Collaboration has set study abroad in Southeast Asia as a pillar of its curriculum. The study abroad period lasts six months and is carried out in the second semester of the second year. The aim is to broaden the field of future activities by experiencing and deepening understanding of the energy of Asia, which can be said to be the center of economic growth, during the student years.
(4) Studying abroad during a leave of absence (from semester to two years in principle) *Cannot graduate in four years Regardless of the eligibility to apply to our university, you can take a leave of absence to study abroad on your own. You have a lot of freedom, such as being able to choose the university or language school that best suits your interests and goals, and being able to take advantage of working holidays. However, since the period of study abroad during a leave of absence is not counted as a period of enrollment, it is not possible to graduate in four years.
[Short-term Programs]
(1) Overseas language and cultural training (approximately 3 to 5 weeks) and overseas cultural experience (approximately 1 week)
(2) Overseas Internship (approximately 4 to 5 weeks) We recommend that students who have a certain level of English proficiency and would like to experience working abroad try out an "overseas internship." Through unpaid internship experience at an overseas company, students can acquire the skills necessary for career development, and it is a very meaningful opportunity for students who want to work overseas in the future. If certain conditions are met, it is also eligible for credit recognition (2 credits).
In addition to the programs offered by the International Center, some faculties, such as School of International Politics, Economics and Communication College of Literature Department of English in the School of Letters, have their own unique programs.
If you grab the chance to study abroad, don't forget that "how you spend your time before you leave will change the quality of what you learn at your destination." Advance preparation before you leave is just as important as the attitude you will have when you arrive. Language skills are not acquired overnight. Strengthening your four foreign language skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) as much as possible before studying abroad will change the way you behave after you arrive. Also, since you will have more opportunities to explain Japan overseas, it is important to input knowledge about Japan.
■Expanding study abroad opportunities
Our university continues to actively expand various overseas programs. In particular, with regard to exchange programs with partner universities, even during the period when travel was temporarily suspended due to the global spread of COVID-19, we have steadily increased the number of partner universities, and the options for students, especially those from non-English-speaking countries, continue to expand. In terms of the number of international students, the number of students was 100 in 2018, before the spread of COVID-19, but has increased to 128 in 2023 (accepted students). In this way, the doors to studying abroad at our university continue to expand. We encourage all students to actively take on the challenge of studying abroad.
Studying abroad means jumping out of your familiar and comfortable "comfort zone" and jumping into a new environment. You may be confused by the experience that ways of thinking and perspectives that are common sense in Japan are completely different overseas. Such an away environment is the perfect opportunity to rethink your preconceived notions. When you study abroad, be sure to actively try various things. By accumulating new experiences one by one, your "comfort zone" will expand before you know it. Through the new experience of studying abroad, which sometimes involves difficulties and conflicts, you will gain an understanding of diversity, vitality, and self-affirmation. These skills will be of great use to you students even after you enter society.
We also expect them to actively promote our university as "Aogaku Public Relations Ambassadors" at their host universities. In particular, our exchange students from partner universities are students who have been selected to represent our university and who we hope will "study abroad." The success of their seniors will open the way for their juniors to study abroad, so in addition to their studies, we also hope that they will actively contribute to the local community at their host universities.
The 2022 "Study Abroad/International Exchange Orientation" will introduce our university's study abroad programs and on-campus international exchange.