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In 1870, as Japan charted a new path of global engagement after two centuries of self-imposed isolation, the new government of Meiji Japan sent forth into western societies a corps of talented young people to learn the ways of life, education and business, in the world beyond.  Among these were three young men, Hatsutara Tamura, Kin Saito, and Agero Nosei, who were to wind up at 91���� University as a result of the university’s first foray into international student recruitment. They were among the first Japanese students to be awarded degrees in the United States, and their arrival signaled the beginning of a long, continuing engagement of 91���� University with Japan.

Some 150 years later, Japanese language studies, which are intimately related in their success here to the strong connection of the modern-day University to Hawaii, play an integral part in the culture and diversity of the Forest Grove Campus. 91���� currently has partnerships with six Japanese universities, each offering something a little different in terms of location and academic offerings for our outbound study abroad students, as well as opportunities for students on-site in Forest Grove to be enriched by the many Japanese students whose presence in the English Language Institute or undergraduate program are directly tied to these programs.

However, in terms of longevity and closeness, 91����’s partnership with Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City is unique. Kansai Gaidai, superbly located on the doorstep both of Kyoto and Osaka, offers one of Japan’s largest Asian Studies programs, and at almost 400 active exchange partnerships, is one of the most globally connected institutions in Japan. 91����, by virtue of its status as one of Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s earliest partners (dating back to 1985) and its hosting of students in the university’s prestigious Dual Degree Program, is one of its most valued. Never was this more clearly expressed than in 2015 when presidential-level visits were exchanged, and 91���� was given a leading role at Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s 70th Anniversary celebration, with then-President Lesley Hallick and Board of Trustees Co-Vice Chair Patrick Clark, himself an alumnus of 91����’s Kansai Gaidai study abroad program, were granted speaking slots at the official welcome celebration.

Since the initial 1985 agreement, the partnership has evolved from a primary focus on inbound ESL students to playing a critical role for our Japanese-language study abroad program and, relatedly, in recruiting degree-seeking Kansai Gaidai students through a special agreement signed in 2001. Under the Dual Degree Program, a small number of Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s very best students complete the final two years of their degree program at 91���� and graduate with degrees from both institutions. At the same time, each inbound student creates four semester-long exchange slots for 91���� students, thus maximizing opportunities for students to study abroad at Kansai Gaidai.

The Japanese students in this highly selective program bring their perspectives into the classroom and university community, thus enriching the on-campus experience for all. They also invariably become fully integrated into campus and, through their friendships, become the most effective recruiters for the study abroad program. 

Yuka Sakamoto, who managed the program for Kansai Gaidai from 2003 until 2015, attributes the popularity of 91���� as a destination for Kansai Gaidai students to the availability of academic programs at 91���� in various fields such as environment studies, international studies, and media arts, majors that are not offered at Kansai Gaidai; the excellent support from faculty and staff members; and the ease with which they are able to develop relationships due to the intimate size of the campus. More than 50 students from Kansai Gaidai have graduated from 91���� since the inception of the Dual Degree Program.

The Kansai Gaidai study abroad program has, over the long term, been by far 91����’s most popular destination for Japanese-language students, with more than 150 participants since the program began (and many of those during the ‘90s and early years of the new century doing full-year placements). They are drawn by Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s superb location, strong reputation, vast range of class options, and by housing options which include homestays. 

“We have always received great reports from our students studying at Kansai Gaidai and have been impressed by the linguistic improvements attained during their studies in Japan, as well as opportunities for homestays and internships,” says Professor Yasutaka Maruki, head of 91����’s Japanese program. “The partnership with Kansai Gaidai has been a vital part of our program.” 

With Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s Spring Internship Program still relatively new, opportunities for an even richer, more immersive experience await 91����’s students.

In the fall 1993, current 91���� University Trustee Patrick Clark ‘93 was one of those students. He credits the opportunities given to him by Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s professors “to experience the ‘real Japan’ by touring factories, manufacturing facilities and corporate offices of some of Japan’s most respected companies such as Sanyo, Sony and Toyota” with directly influencing his strong interest and desire to live in Japan after graduating from 91���� University. Additionally, says Clark, “my experience as a study abroad student here was personally transformative, and one of the highlights of my undergraduate study at 91����.” 

Passina Abe ’18, a biology and Japanese major, said studying abroad at KGU was “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Within a span of a few months, I met people from all around the world, improved my Japanese, and tried many new things.” Abe, a standout student from Honolulu, was awarded a prestigious national scholarship, the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship, for her study in Japan.

With continuing high enrollment of students from Hawai‘i, many of our whom have intergenerational ties to Japan and all of whom are exposed to strong Japanese cultural influences, the future for our Japanese program looks bright. Successful inbound programs, such as the ELI’s Hospitality Internship Program and Kansai �Ҳ����岹��’s Dual Degree Program, also look set to grow, adding to diversity on campus. 

91���� currently offers five additional outbound programs to Japan: two in Nagoya, two in Tokyo, and one in Saga. City. Students are encouraged to make appointments with International Programs and their academic advisors early in their academic careers to map out an academic pathway to incorporate study abroad in Japan, or in the many other locations in which 91���� offers semester-length programs.

Stephen Prag served as director of International Programs at 91���� University from 2004 to 2022. Following his retirement, he has reconnected with students who studied abroad — at and from 91���� — during his tenure to share their stories.