SJA holds Study Abroad in Japan Information Session

Written By Pariasr Blackburn

Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA) is thrilled to announce another successful college information session! On Thursday, November 7, 2024, this info session featured Japanese Embassy Guest Speaker Hiroshi Ando; representatives from Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), and Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS); and Sakura Program graduate Mariana Salas.

After a few opening remarks from SJA Board Members John McLaughlin and Miwako Horisawa, Hiroshi Ando gave the first presentation centered on the main reasons for studying in Japan and its pathways. Outside of Japan’s world-class science and technology education system, Ando-san discussed major draws including its fascinating cultural history, safety, and relatively low cost of living. After highlighting key differences between Japanese and American education, such as Japan’s lower tuition, he wrapped up his presentation with an overview of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) and Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs. 

   

Next came Temple University Japan’s presentation. Going extensively into their history, TUJ illustrated how their university operates as an expansive international unit; students may study at any of their nine global campuses, but all ultimately graduate with the same Temple diploma. This provides a unique opportunity to receive an American diploma while studying globally. TUJ ended their presentation with an exciting announcement: TUJ is opening a campus in Kyoto in spring 2025.

  

Our final university presenter was the Kyoto University of Advanced Science. In their presentation, KUAS highlighted the advantages of studying particularly technological fields in Japanese universities, stressing their unique career-based approach and overviewing their application process and general admissions information. 


Lastly, Mariana Salas detailed her experience as a graduate of American and Ritsumeikan Universities’ Sakura Program. Providing a unique perspective from the student’s side of the education aisle, she overviewed topics ranging from what drew her to Japanese to her thoughts throughout the process to how it has impacted her post-graduate life. 


    With that, the formal side of the presentation was wrapped up; but of course, no information session is complete without a final Q&A. Both universities’ representatives stayed online alongside our in-person presenters to answer questions as audience members queued up. The questioning continued on for another fifteen minutes as excited attendees and presenters conversed. Once the last question was answered, the SJA’s 11/7/2024 Information Session officially drew to a close.

    With a high turnout and full panel, SJA is delighted to call this event a resounding success. We would like to extend a thank you to all who attended the event, and a special thanks to the presenters and volunteers who helped make it possible. We’re grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for eager and enthused students in the DMV area to get to know their options for studying abroad, not only through Japanese universities but American ones too. SJA looks forward to continuing to host our Japanese College Information Sessions, and can’t wait to see everyone in 2025 for the next one. 

Pariasr Blackburn

Pari is a junior at Yorktown High School and has been studying Japanese for four years -- three in class, one independently. She grew up in the Arlington area but spent a year living in Romania. Outside of learning Japanese, Pari also enjoys playing the piano and drawing. Pari hopes to share her love of Japan and its culture through the SJA, in part by advocating for the expansion of the Japanese program across Arlington Public Schools.

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