Voices of participating students
*Training locations and content may vary depending on the year of implementation.
Faculty of Global Management Studies Department of Global Management Studies
| Training location | Leicester, England University of Leicester |
I've been captivated by the charms of other countries, and I'm excited to think about where to go next!
*Implemented in 2023
Hina Koizumi, a graduate of Iwamurata High School in Nagano Prefecture
Hina Koizumi, a graduate of Iwamurata High School in Nagano Prefecture
As part of the program, I had the opportunity to visit Leicester City FC's home stadium and learn about its management by actually seeing the facilities. I was also able to enter areas that are normally off-limits, such as the players' rooms and interview rooms, which made it a very memorable experience. Furthermore, having the opportunity to speak English naturally in everyday life increased my motivation to learn English even more, and I realized that my experience abroad had helped me grow as a person.
| Training location | Christchurch, New Zealand New Zealand National Institute of Technology (now AIC Christchurch Institute of Technology) |
With the warm support of my host family, I was able to express my feelings in English.
*Implemented in 2023
Ozora Yamanaka, a graduate of Shizuoka Prefectural Kakegawa Higashi High School
Ozora Yamanaka, a graduate of Shizuoka Prefectural Kakegawa Higashi High School
My first trip abroad was filled with anxiety, but I was constantly supported by the kindness of my host family. Among the most memorable learning experiences were visiting the outdoor brand Kathmandu during my first week in New Zealand and learning about their store network and global expansion, and visiting He Puna Taimoana (meaning "seaside pool" in Maori) in my second week to learn about their business strategy. This knowledge ultimately culminated in a presentation in English.
My listening skills, which I thought I had honed, aren't getting through?!
What I gained from facing difficulties was a positive attitude and a broader perspective.
What I gained from facing difficulties was a positive attitude and a broader perspective.
*Implemented in 2023
Reika Sano, a graduate of Omachi Gakucho High School in Nagano Prefecture.
Reika Sano, a graduate of Omachi Gakucho High School in Nagano Prefecture.
In my second year, my entire department went on a training program to New Zealand (hereafter referred to as NZ). We had small English classes in the mornings and specialized classes in the afternoons, and the experience was full of surprises and bewilderment. I was somewhat confident in my listening skills, but at first, I noticed an Oceanian accent and felt like the students spoke quite quickly. Even basic words like "friend" and "eight" were difficult to understand when they spoke with an accent, which made me very anxious. On the other hand, I was staying with a host family, and they were very helpful. They loved cooking, and when they found out I was studying nutrition, they helped me with cooking and explained recipes, and even made me Japanese lunch boxes. It was a confusing two weeks, but they were so kind and I'm so grateful for their support. This program was my first experience abroad, and being exposed to an English-only environment helped me overcome my resistance to communicating in English. After returning to Japan, I became so proactive that I would even approach foreigners struggling on the train. Experiencing lifestyles different from those in Japan and learning about New Zealand's registered dietitian system broadened my horizons. This has also motivated me to continue my studies, and I feel that I have definitely grown through my overseas training.
Faculty of Health and Human Development Department of Child Development and Education
| Training location | Helsinki, Finland University of Helsinki, etc. |
Childcare that values children's desire to "want to know more" and "want to try."
*Implemented in 2023
Azusa Takayanagi, a graduate of Matsumoto Kengaoka High School in Nagano Prefecture
Azusa Takayanagi, a graduate of Matsumoto Kengaoka High School in Nagano Prefecture
Finnish childcare centers around the question of "what kind of person do we want them to become when they grow up?" and places great emphasis on children learning and thinking for themselves through experience. While prioritizing safety, the caregivers observed the children closely, sometimes asking questions, and together they nurtured their budding curiosity. They viewed any weather as an opportunity for various learning experiences, and I felt a sense of richness in the children who headed to the forest to play even in the cold or rain.
I experienced childcare that was different from Japan.
I became more aware of the role of childcare providers.
I became more aware of the role of childcare providers.
*Implemented in 2022
Maria Erika Yoshitake, a graduate of Hakodate Municipal Hakodate High School.
Maria Erika Yoshitake, a graduate of Hakodate Municipal Hakodate High School.
During my internship, I learned about Finland's early childhood education and childcare system. Classes were either in English or taught in Finnish by local teachers, with professors from the prefectural university translating into Japanese on the spot. Students from a volunteer circle at the University of Helsinki also explained their activities. I also had an internship at a nursery school. In Finland's "preschool education," which is a major focus, I was surprised to see a 6-year-old child discussing a given topic with their family and presenting it in English, not their native language. I was also impressed by the "supervisory childcare" approach, which emphasizes understanding children's interactions with each other while prioritizing safety and minimizing adult intervention. This broadened my perspective on early childhood education and the ideal role of a childcare provider. My dream has always been to "see children all over the world," so I was deeply moved when I was able to connect with the children of Finland. I was also very impressed by the high aspirations of the students I spoke with at the University of Helsinki, who wanted to change society through early childhood education. This internship has given me a strong sense that I, too, will one day contribute to creating society through childcare.
