Community Outreach

AIU’s Division of Community Outreach arranges many kinds of activities with the local community. Consistently rated among students’ favorite aspects of AIU, these activities offer a unique backstage pass to experience rural Japanese life and culture. AIU has created a cross-cultural campus, which can be described as the epitome of the world, with international students from over 200 partner institutions abroad. We have unique expertise in learning English in English and are working to pass on this expertise to the educational field in elementary, junior high, and high schools. In addition, our diverse human resources contribute to the promotion of internationalization in the region by interacting with local residents.

Community Outreach Activities

AIU has been conducting various exchange activities with schools and organizations in Akita Prefecture and has concluded cooperative agreements regarding international exchange, by sending AIU students and hosting each local school student’s visits to AIU; mainly eight municipalities (Happo Town, Daisen City, Oga City, Yurihonjo City, Misato Town, Semboku City, Ogata Village, and Ugo Town). In addition, Online exchanges, which began in AY2020, also continued, contributing to the use of ICT (information and communications technology) in education.

Activity Examples

• Lectures on career paths, including reasons for choosing AIU
• Introductions and quizzes about the hometowns of international and Japanese students
• Exchanges through Japanese culture with students learning Japanese
• Participating in science experiments connected with AIU’s chemistry laboratory
• Student exchange programs with Akita University of Art, Glass blowing and flower arrangement workshops
• Online workshop for high school students in Akita Prefecture
• Discussions with students on international law and international organizations

We hold ongoing exchanges with people in the Yuwa district of Akita City, where AIU is located, and other parts of the prefecture through traditional events, monitoring tours, and various events.

Students’ Voice

I really enjoyed all the community outreach activities. AIU gave me the chance to experience what a typical Japanese school life is like. It was great being a part of Japanese culture in a way that was important to me and important for the kids’ learning. I hope that I was a good influence in their life to help bridge the gap between America and Japan just a little bit more. My favorite part of doing those events has been seeing the students’ faces as they enjoy their time listening and trying to speak with me.

Sarah Wooden, Mississippi State University, USA

It was such an eye-opening and heart-warming experience to be able to interact with elementary and junior high school students from the rural countryside of Japan. Coming from a country that is almost completely urban, I have always wondered what life growing up in the countryside would be like. It was thus a once-in-lifetime opportunity for me to be able to participate in activities such as rice farming with these students to learn more about life beyond modernity. I hope that the intercultural exchange via these AIU’s initiatives will inspire local students to be global citizens in this rapidly diversifying world.

Wei Lin Tan, National University of Singapore, Singapore