The School of Political Science and Economics (SPSE) held the Meiji SPSE Summer Program 2026 from June 29 to July 10, 2026.
SPSE has faculty-level student exchange agreements with universities around the world, including many partner institutions in Asia. Through this short-term inbound program, students from partner universities are invited to study at SPSE and experience Japanese society and culture. In 2026, the program welcomed 39 students from universities in Thailand and Vietnam.
During the program, participants attended lectures on Japanese politics, economics, society, and culture, deepening their understanding of Japan. Students also took part in off-campus educational activities, including a guided tour of the National Diet and a visit to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, accompanied by SPSE faculty members and students. These experiences provided valuable opportunities to gain firsthand insight into Japan's political and economic systems.
Throughout the program, members of The Supporters, SPSE's International Exchange Student Committee, played a central role in welcoming and supporting the visiting students.
【Voices from The Supporters】
June 29: Welcome Party
We held a Welcome Party to greet participants and to promote interaction among students. One of the highlights was a recreation activity in which participants worked together to complete a world map using their own knowledge and experiences. By designing an activity that everyone could enjoy and contribute to, even in a short period of time, we were able to create a relaxed atmosphere where new friendships formed naturally. It was a wonderful start to the program.
July 4–5: Weekend Trip to Yamanaka Seminar House
A Weekend Trip was held at the Yamanaka Seminar House, bringing together 46 Meiji University students and 39 visiting students, for a total of 85 participants. In addition to visiting Oshino Hakkai and the Fifth Station of Mt. Fuji, students built stronger connections through Japanese cultural activities and a fireworks event. The Weekend Trip fostered strong friendships among participants, with some students becoming so close that they later went to the airport to see off the departing international students. It was a truly meaningful opportunity for international exchange.
July 10: Farewell Party
The Summer Program Farewell Party was held to celebrate and bid farewell to the international students who had spent nearly two weeks in Japan and participated in the Weekend Trip together with Meiji students. Although the Farewell Party lasted only about an hour, both Japanese and international students enjoyed their final opportunity to interact through games and catered refreshments. While planning the activities, we worked hard to ensure that everyone could participate and have fun regardless of their level of English proficiency. We were delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves and engaging enthusiastically throughout the event.
(Written by: The Supporters)
Besides the short-term program, SPSE also offers extensive long-term exchange opportunities under its faculty-level agreements, including programs that send Meiji University students to partner institutions for one semester or one academic year, as well as programs that welcome inbound exchange students from those institutions. We hope that the Meiji SPSE Summer Program 2026 will further strengthen student exchange with our partner universities and that the experiences gained through the program will enrich the academic lives and future careers of all students involved.
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here for short-term exchange programs (inbound)
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here for "The Supporters" (Japanese only)
