Japan Study Tour: Grant funds 23 students

Thanks to the recommendation of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pacific University was awarded a grant by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to bring a group of 23 students to Japan from Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, 2015. The itinerary of the study trip was organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center. 

An overwhelming 93 student applications were submitted by HPU students, and the following individuals were selected to represent the university in the "Kakehashi Project" (Friendship Ties Program).  

Agcaoili, Sheena Rose-General Business 
Bautista, Roselle-Biology: Human & Health Sciences

Cabanlit, Marjury-Management Information Systems

Carlin, Paige-International Business

Chung, Selah-Multimedia

Crowley, Shawn-Marketing

DeWoody, Sean-MA, Diplomacy & Military Studies

Goo, Jamie-Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Gunter, Matthew-International Business

Hashimoto, Kaitlyn-Management

Hokama, David-History

Jordan, Bree-Elementary Education

Kalakau, Pomaikai-Master of Business Administration

Newman, Savannah-Environmental Sciences

Preza, Kaily-Biology

Rhodes, Jade-Asian Studies

Sagisi-Buxton, Diandrea-International Business

Sagisi-Buxton, Erica-3-2 Engineering

Snyder, Yuanping- Master of Business Administration

Tanouye, Rachel- Biology: Human & Health Sciences

Valdez, Maricar-Nursing

Vea, Michelle- Biology: Human & Health Sciences

Alternate #1: Deanna Young-Marine Biology

Alternate #2: Jessica Bie- Multimedia

All of the selected students had never been to Japan, and many had never been outside the U.S. The students were accompanied by chaperones Kri Howland, Internationalization Coordinator, and Kazuko Kameda-Madar, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty of Art History and coordinator of the Japanese Research Group.

In nine days, the participants had the opportunity to experience a breadth and depth of activities. Highlights included a lecture on U.S. Japan Relations given by a representative of MoFA, a visit to Meiji University, and a homestay with a Japanese family.
      

·         Read the blog of their experiences here

·         View photos from the Japan trip on Instagram hashtag #HPUxJPN15       

      

     
 Listen to the Sunday, Dec. 6, Japanese Radio Station KZOO interview, here, of representatives from the study tour sharing their experiences (in English starting at 6:35): DeWoody and Hokama and chaperones Howland and Kameda-Madar, along with the Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange Melissa Matsubara.

Matsubara and Howland of the Study Abroad and International Exchange office hope the "Kakehashi Project" Japan Study Tour experience has strengthened a desire by members of the HPU community to travel and study abroad. They understand cost has consistently been the biggest barrier preventing HPU students from studying abroad and are motivated to make more opportunities such as this one accessible to a wider range of students. 

Students: To discuss options and opportunities to be able to see the world and gain culturally enriching experiences through a short-term, semester, or year-long study abroad program, fill out the inquiry form here or email studyabroad@hpu.edu. The Summer 2016 and Fall 2016 deadline is March 18, 2016.