[Profile] (as of April 1, 2010)
◆Name: Meiji University, School of Global Japanese Studies
◆Location: School of Global Studies Office
1-9-1, Eifuku, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8555
◆URL: http://www.meiji.ac.jp/nippon/
◆Total number of students: 1,052
◆Total number of international students: 141
◆Number of international students’ countries of origin: 16 (including exchange students)

 

 

[Features of the School/Department ]
This is where you can learn about the culture of Japan that is currently garnering attention as well as social systems that serve as its informational source.
We also concentrate our efforts into international education that offers intensive English education and the opportunity to correctly understand different cultures.
Since we are aware that “Japan is a member of the global community,” we strive to nurture true cosmopolitans who are able to actively introduce a variety of information to the world. From the third year, the curriculum is divided into two courses: Japanese Culture Program and Japanese Social Systems Program. In the Japanese Culture Program, students are introduced to the modern culture that includes films, theater, Manga, and TV dramas as well as the country’s traditional culture that serves as the base. Meanwhile, the Japanese Social Systems Program is where an extensive look at modern Japan’s companies, industries, and social systems sending information pertaining to Japanese cultures such as business culture, contents industry, and mass media can be experienced.

 

 

The Japanese Culture Program’s “Manga Culture ” is taught by Associate Professor Hirohito Miyamoto who illustrates stories from various viewpoints by covering actual Manga. This class gives students the opportunity to think about how changes in ideas and social transitions affect Manga. Associate Professor Miyamoto’s character and his unique way of speaking are also reasons why many are attracted to this class.

 

“Practical International Studies ” is taught by Professor Keizo Yamawaki. Students work together with the professor to organize and conduct the annual “School of Global Japanese Studies – Dean’s Cup Speech Contest .”

 

In this contest, international students from foreign countries deliver their speeches in Japanese while Japanese students do so in English. By cooperating with international students to accomplish a common goal, this class offers students a firsthand experience of international interaction. Kana Fukuzai (junior), one of the contest participants, commented, “As a part of my school’s program, I was given the opportunity to study abroad in the United States for four months, which dramatically changed my way of thinking regarding minorities. I began thinking that I would like to understand and help such people. To promote this thought of mine, I decided to participate in this speech contest.”

[Towards Globalization]
Not only do we accept international student but also provide study abroad programs. Among them, the one that includes a six-month internship at Walt Disney World® in Florida, U.S.A. is popular among the students. After passing the school’s screening and being chosen by Disney World’s selection committee, 11 students participated in this program in 2009. For the year 2010, 27 students are scheduled to participate.

 

 

Mak Hoilin (junior) from Hong Kong who worked at the front desk of Disney World’s hotel said, “Through this program, I was able to meet many people from different countries which stirred my interest of the hotel industry. Although I sometimes had a hard time communicating with guests because of the language barrier, I nevertheless was able to once again experience the joy of interacting with people. I would like to work somewhere where I can utilize my language skills after graduating from college.”

 

 

 

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