UNC Global Affairs encourages more study abroad in Japan

Three women and a men stand in front of a navy banner that reads — Ward (second from left) connected with representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo as well as Japanese university officials to discuss exchange student support and talent pipelines. (U.S. Embassy Tokyo)

In June, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo invited Heather Ward, Carolina’s associate provost for global affairs, to organize a workshop to advise Japanese universities on study abroad. The goals of the workshop were to send more American students to Japan and to ensure they have a positive experience.

Japan is already America’s most popular non-European study abroad destination, ranking fifth overall.

More than 80 people attended the workshop, “Seizing the Opportunity: International Offices as Engines of U.S.-Japan Collaboration.” Ward shared strategies for attracting and supporting U.S. students and moderated discussions on student experience, health and safety, and international program management.

Ward presented on the findings of a survey of U.S. students who studied in Japan, as well as interviews with American study abroad professionals (including several at UNC-Chapel Hill). The workshop covered a range of topics, including the transfer of academic credit, course offerings, mental health, disaster preparedness and language.

One of the attendees was Yuki Aratake, teaching professor in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ Asian and Middle Eastern studies department, who was in Tokyo with her annual study abroad program in Japanese language.

A group of people posing and smiling in a classroom-style room.

Ward led a workshop in Tokyo to strengthen academic partnerships between UNC-Chapel Hill and Japanese universities and expand opportunities for U.S. students to study in Japan. (U.S. Embassy Tokyo)

Connecting study abroad to career readiness

Ward emphasized the increasing interest among students, families and universities in preparing students to succeed in their careers after graduation.

“While American students who study in Japan are strongly interested in Japanese culture and language, that is often not their main academic focus,” Ward said. “More and more, U.S. students are seeking internship and research opportunities as part of their study abroad experience, which is a departure from traditional programs and exchanges.”

In addition to the workshop, the embassy arranged for Ward to visit the Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, University of Tsukuba, Meikai University and Keio University (one of UNC-Chapel Hill’s longstanding partners in Japan). During these visits, she discussed opportunities for research collaboration and emerging institutional priorities, such as AI and connection to industry.

UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy professor Sachiko Ozawa joined Ward for the meeting at Keio University, where Ozawa teaches each summer. Ward also met with UNC partner Sophia University, whose president invited Ward to join the Sophia Global Strategy Advisory Committee.

“The research is clear: Study abroad experiences positively impact professional growth, career trajectories and skill development,” Ward said, “and many American students who study in Japan stay engaged with Japan throughout their careers.”

Strengthening historical partnerships

The history of U.S. academic collaboration with Japan is extensive, with both governments prioritizing collaboration following World War II. Many UNC-Chapel Hill schools and departments have longstanding partnerships with universities in Japan, and in recent years, Carolina has increased engagement with Japanese universities and government agencies through student exchange, research collaboration, conferences and joint symposia.

Carolina’s engagement with Japan aligns with Japan’s importance to North Carolina. Japan is the state’s top source of foreign direct investment, and over 230 Japanese companies have a presence in the state.

“A few years ago, Heather made a compelling case for strengthening our ties to Japan, North Carolina’s largest inward investor by a wide margin,” said Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer. “From vision through execution, Heather has boosted Carolina’s brand and built highly productive partnerships across Japan, advancing the interests not only of the University but of our state as well.”

In August, Motohiro Tsuchiya, vice-president for global engagement at Keio University, visited UNC-Chapel Hill to discuss the partnership between the two universities, and a delegation from Tohoku University visited campus to learn about science education at Carolina.