American students today have numerous opportunities to study abroad during college. The 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange estimated that the number of US college students studying abroad has tripled over the past two decades to 10% of students having a study abroad experience before graduating from college. That said, the 300,000 US students who study abroad remain a small fraction of the 4.5 million global college students studying abroad. The US remains the largest destination for globally mobile students, but efforts are underway to boost global opportunities for US college students.
Evan Ryan, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State has noted that, “It is critical that we continue to make study abroad more accessible. These exchanges strengthen ties between the United States and countries around the world. By increasing accessibility to study abroad, we are investing in our future and providing a forum to solve global challenges.” To that end, the International Educational Exchange has a goal to double the number of US students studying abroad by 2020. The Generation Abroad network has built commitments of resources from US colleges and universities, study abroad organizations and education associations, international universities and organizations and others to help reach this goal of ramping international experiences for US college students.
The opportunity of creating a truly global education system is significant. I recently traveled to Japan, where the aging population even prompted this country in 2009, historically tough on immigration, to open its universities to foreign students. My recent week in Japan leads to this College Sage tip: do yourself a favor, and think of Japan for study abroad! Japan is a fascinating culture in a safe and clean country with friendly residents to welcome and invite you to join their incredibly strong work ethic. I took the time to visit Japan’s two leading universities – The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
The University of Tokyo
Founded in 1877 and educating 26,000 per year, The University of Tokyo is Japan’s premier university in the world’s largest MSA. If studying abroad for undergraduate or graduate school in a major city is appealing to you, then Tokyo is your place. In 2012, U Tokyo established both undergraduate and graduate programs taught in English to help increase its stature as a leading world institution and to broaden its international student base (currently 10%). The University of Tokyo, at the Komaba campus (close to the bustling Shibayu neighborhood famous for the Shibayu crossing), offers two undergraduate degrees taught in English – Japan in East Asia and Environmental Sciences. Graduate programs taught in English are also offered in Economics, Engineering, Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Policy and more. The undergraduate program is new and still just getting international attention. The program enrolls a maximum of 30 students each year.
Shorter study abroad programs at U Tokyo are also available to students with partner relationships. Those partner US colleges include: Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Swarthmore, University of Illinois, University of Washington as well as Yale and NYU for graduate programs. So if you attend one of these US colleges, you have an easy opportunity to pursue a semester abroad at the University of Tokyo, one of the world’s leading international universities (World Ranking is #43).
Kyoto University
Home of Japan’s most beautiful city, Kyoto University sits close to the base of the mountains in East Kyoto providing spectacular views of the city. The university is in walking distance to the major museums in the heart of the city. Kyoto University also recently introduced English-speaking programs to draw international students. Kyoto University offers an undergraduate degree in Engineering as well as eleven graduate programs. The university prides itself on the largest number of Nobel Laureates in Japan.
If studying in Kyoto sounds interesting, but a semester or a year was more what you had in mind, then you can participate in the KUINEP program if you attend one of the Kyoto University partner schools. In the US, these partner schools include Boston College, Boston University, Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, William & Mary and many more. For a full list of partner schools, check out this link: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/sep/partners/pu/index.html#am
For guidance in choosing the perfect study abroad location or for applying to undergraduate or graduate programs outside of the US, contact the College Sage! I have lived half of my life outside of the US and my “been app” shows that I have travelled to 45% of European countries and 20% of world countries. There is nothing like learning about yourself through immersing yourself into another culture. So open your mind to adventure and get exploring during your college years!
Sources:
The Japan Times- http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/29/national/70-of-foreign-students-shun-offers-from-university-of-tokyo-degree-programs-in-english/#.V6RbRWVbmqA
The University of Tokyo - http://peak.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/apply/index.html
IIE - http://www.iie.org/Programs/Generation-Study-Abroad/About/Impact#.V6RXoGVbmqA
Japan Visitor - http://www.japanvisitor.com/kyoto/kyoto-university
