Founded in 1940 (Showa 15), Osaka Gakuin University has its roots in the "Kansai Bookkeeping Research Institute," which has the oldest history in Osaka as an accounting vocational school.Since the opening of the school, we have cultivated excellent human resources who are strong in practice, with a consistent practical education as our philosophy."Practical global human resource development" is one of the major pillars for always aiming for human resource development that the times demand.Among them, the "CET Room Share Program" is attracting attention as a curriculum unique to the university.This is a program that allows students of the same university, which is the only CET (study abroad dispatch institution for American students in the United States) in Japan, to experience different cultures through communal living with international students.Regarding the content of unique initiatives that are unique to the university, Mr. Kumei, Chief of the International Center of the University, Mr. Sakai and Mr. Iwagishi, students who have experienced the "CET Room Share Program", and Mr. Ethan Romero, a CET international student, I heard the story.
Cross-cultural experience through communal living "CET room share program"
Mr. Kumei "Osaka Gakuin University (OGU) has been aiming to develop global human resources with high practical skills in the spirit of founding since its establishment. As of 2018, 23 universities in 59 countries and regions around the world. We have an exchange study system and are expanding our campuses all over the world. In addition to studying abroad, we place importance on acquiring language communication skills and an international sense while staying in Japan, and anyone on campus can use it. We also have an opportunity for current students to support the multicultural exchange space "I-Chat Lounge" where you can do it, and exchange students and short-term trainees who come to Japan.
The "CET Room Share Program" is a program unique to the university that started in 2010 as part of the international exchange that can be conducted on those campuses.This university is the only university in Japan that accepts international students who come to study Japanese from American universities through a study abroad institution called the "CET Academic Program" based in Washington, DC, USA.The "CET Room Share Program" is a cross-cultural experience program where they and our students can experience and learn about each other's customs and culture while sharing a room (communal living) in an apartment or share house around the university. "
This program is divided into autumn, spring, and summer semesters and is held throughout the year. Each semester is attended by about 15 to 30 OGU students.Another major feature is that the university prepares a communal housing in the neighborhood, and current students do not need to rent.Attempts to interact with international students while living together must be an exciting experience that fosters a living international sense.
Since international students come to Japan to study Japanese, the language used in communal living is basically decided to be Japanese.Therefore, there are low hurdles for students who are "not yet confident in their English ability" or "worried about studying abroad suddenly", and it is an advantage that they can easily participate.In fact, students who once participated in "CET Room Share" tend to participate repeatedly, and it is said that there are many cases where they take on the challenge of studying abroad with the confidence to jump into the world of different cultures.
To the next step In the role of a jumping board
In addition to communal living in share houses and apartments, the program also hosts a variety of events and excursions.OGU students themselves have the opportunity to reaffirm the goodness of Japanese culture, such as enjoying a variety of recreational activities such as cherry blossom viewing, hiking, and takoyaki parties, enjoying the summer festival together in yukata, and observing the making of Japanese sweets. It has become.
Mr. Iwagishi, who was recommended by his seniors when he was in the second year to participate in this program and has participated six times so far, is currently in the fourth year.
Mr. Iwagishi "I was interested in living abroad, but suddenly I thought that studying abroad would be a little ... I came across this program. Through my communal life, my friendships expanded and it greatly stimulated the learning attitude of international students. I received it. To be honest, people who grew up in different cultures sometimes collide with each other, but the benefits of overcoming them are great. As soon as the one-season program is over, I participated in the repeat and participated repeatedly. I'm a regular now (laughs) "
This was the first time for Mr. Sakai, a XNUMXth year student, to participate.Taking the experience of the program as a step, he seems to have solidified his intention to study abroad.
Mr. Sakai "I found a recruitment at the university and found it difficult to live with international students, and I thought it would be interesting. Unlike simply interacting on campus, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. Therefore, there are many surprises and sometimes misunderstandings. Since there are various international students, I can't really communicate unless I face each one seriously. But that experience gives me a base to accept different cultures. I was able to build it, so I decided to study abroad. "
The two emphasized that their horizons were much wider than they were before they participated, and that they became the energy to take the next step, and that they continued to connect with international students even after the program ended, and various networks expanded from there. ..
On the other hand, there seems to be a big advantage for international students.Ethan Romero, who came to Japan with an interest in Japan while majoring in political science at Yale University in the United States, said"I had a completely different experience than staying at my host family's house."It's called.
"With room sharing, I always have friends of the same age, and I can talk about various things during my study abroad life. I'm not alone, I'm not lonely. Because I live together, the pace of learning Japanese is fast, culture and You can understand the difference in thinking with your skin. It will be a cultural support for international students and OGU students, so I would like current students to participate more and more actively. "
He told me a valuable experience in fluent Japanese.
Kumei, the chief of the International Center, said, "The CET room share program is a jumping board for OGU students to take actions such as studying abroad. Because the rails are laid out, it will give a great sense of security to students and parents. I want them to practically foster an international sense in their university life and take the next step. I'm confident that we can create a good cycle to make it happen. "
Osaka Gakuin University is always looking forward to a new era. It has been about eight years since a unique initiative that can be called "study abroad on campus" began, and the results are now about to blossom in various ways both at home and abroad.
