International Center
International Center Basic Policy
Since its founding in 1874, Aoyama Gakuin University has provided a comprehensive education system from Kindergarten Building to graduate school, fostering humanistic education based on English language education and the ability to share universal values, as a comprehensive university specializing in natural and social sciences. The role of Aoyama Gakuin University International Center is to support educational initiatives related to the internationalization of the university and to support the development of globally-minded individuals.
The main duties include sending and receiving exchange students to and from partner and accredited overseas universities, accepting privately funded international students, planning and managing programs and events such as short-term language and cultural training, and promoting the internationalization of the university through agreements and exchanges with overseas universities.
The global trend of globalization is having a significant impact not only on corporate activities and relations between nations, but also on the structure and curriculum of university education. With these factors in mind, the International Center will further strengthen and expand collaboration between our university and overseas Aoyama Gakuin University, while respecting the diverse cultures and customs of each country and the different values of students.
Greetings from the Director and Vice Director
David W. Reedy, Director of the International Center and Professor, College of Science and Engineering
As the saying goes, "You don't know what you don't know," we often don't even know what we don't know. We tend to become comfortable in the wonderful country we grew up in, but the world is vast. And it's only when we leave our home country that we gain certain insights and learn new things. No matter how many books we read or how much we search the internet, there are many things we can only experience by actually going abroad.
Thanks to the efforts of many teachers and staff, Aoyama offers a variety of overseas study programs, sending students abroad and welcoming international students to Aoyama Aoyama We encourage you to use these programs to go abroad, learn about the strengths and areas for improvement in your own country, and become a servant leader who can contribute to society and the world. Aoyama will fully support you in this endeavor. And please remember that wherever you are, you are loved.
"Home is where your heart is."
Eriko Katsumata, Deputy Director of the International Center and Professor, School of International Politics, Economics and Communication
The Aoyama Gakuin University International Center supports students in challenging themselves with cross-border learning, collaborating with diverse individuals, and developing a rich understanding of different cultures and strong communication skills.
Our university offers an environment where international students from all over the world and our own students can learn together. We encourage you to actively take advantage of these opportunities for international exchange. The insights you gain through interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds will undoubtedly be a great driving force in broadening your horizons.
All of us at the International Center -both faculty and staff- are here to support your desire to take on challenges. We sincerely hope that the experiences you gain here will become a strong foundation for your future endeavors.
Toshiyuki Mitsui, Deputy Director of the International Center and Professor, College of Science and Engineering
The International Center lounge is stocked with study abroad materials for each region, as well as magazines with useful information for international students about life in Japan. It's a comfortable space, so please feel free to stop by between classes. And don't hesitate to talk to the faculty and staff of the International Center.
The International Center is not just a place for students who have decided to study abroad. It is also a place that provides opportunities for everyone to discover a new version of themselves. In the long career that lies ahead, let's broaden your horizons and cultivate a framework for making decisions. We will support you in taking that first step.
My recommendation is the study abroad experience journal in the blue files lined up in the lounge. It's a very thick booklet, but each page contains a record of the study abroad experiences of past students. There you'll find real experiences that you won't find on social media, as well as advice for current students. Please take a look at it. It might open a door to a new path you've never considered before.