In July, the International Collaboration Office held the two-week English-language short-term Japan in Transition Summer Program (hereinafter, “JiT”) for students from international partner institutions.
This program was designed not only for students studying abroad, but also to create opportunities for international exchange on a daily basis where more students can meet international students on campus, experience diverse values, and expand their potential. The program was also implemented as a university-supported pilot project as an effort to advance one of President UENO Masao’s priority policies, “internationalization of the university itself.” We welcomed 11 international students from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and Thailand, and 18 Meiji University students participated in the operation as JiT Supporters. Many Meiji University students participated in open lectures and field trips and deepened their international learning through exchanges with international students.
｜Exploring contemporary Japan from multiple perspectives through “Find Your Oshi”
The theme of the entire program is “Find Your Oshi.” The participating students explored Japanese culture and society from various perspectives while finding their own “oshi.” A total of 11 faculty members, including those from Meiji University, the University of Hawaii and the University of Sydney, delivered 12 lectures in English on a wide range of topics, including kawaii culture, AI and the legal system, disaster preparedness, population decline, multicultural coexistence, origami engineering, fermentation culture, and Japanese pop culture. In the lecture, the students reflected on the attractions and challenges of Japanese society represented by their chosen “oshi” while confirming the knowledge they gained in the lecture through field trips and group work.On the last day, the participating students gave presentations in English under the theme “How Does Our Oshi Reflect Contemporary Japan?” JiT was a time of great learning for the participants because they valued the learning process of students not only acquiring knowledge but also formulating questions, thinking critically, and communicating their ideas.
Welcome reception
｜Learning through encounters with people: An experience made possible by a comprehensive university
JiT also offered experiential programs that drew on the university’s unique educational resources, including a visit to disaster prevention facilities, field trips, interactions with members of the Manga Study Group at the Meiji University Contemporary Manga Library and members of the Meiji University Sumo Club. In addition, a three-day, two-night retreat was also held at Yamanaka Seminar House, where international students and Meiji University students shared meals and accommodation and deepened their connections through group work and recreational activities. During the retreat, the students naturally helped one another, overcoming language and cultural differences.
Retreat at Yamanaka Seminar House
｜A new model of international exchange: Students learning with and from one another
The 18 Meiji University students who helped run the program as JiT Supporters not only assisted with its operation but also participated as learning partners, learning, thinking, and growing alongside the international students. The JiT Supporters took responsibility for planning and running the program, with each student playing an active role in shaping it and promoting international exchange.｜Finding friends we can call “ohana”
After the program, a student from the University of Hawaii commented, “Although the program lasted only 14 days, all the participants became like an ohana (family).” A Meiji University student commented, “Interacting with students from overseas greatly broadened my horizons.”
Field trip to Mt. Fuji