CLC hosts nine Japanese students for three-week exchange program

Nine students from Ehime University in Japan are spending three weeks at the College of Lake County to learn American culture and history, upgrade their English skills, tour Chicago-area attractions and make new friends. The group arrived Sept. 7.

The exchange marks the fifth visit to CLC in four years by Ehime University students, with which CLC has built a relationship funded partially by grants from the U.S. and Japanese governments. Conversely, CLC groups led by Dr. Ken Kikuchi, psychology professor, or Jill Bruellman, professor of English language instruction and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate program, have visited Japan and Ehime University four times since 2012, in three-week field study trips.

In addition to an abbreviated English language instruction course, the visiting Japanese students have heard faculty presentations on U.S. politics, history, psychology, economics, arts, the environment and more. Jason Cashmore, a biology professor, lead tours of the Southlake Campus green roof and the Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve. David Husemoller, the college's sustainability coordinator, will lead the students on a Sept. 21 tour of the organic farm at the Prairie Crossing subdivision in Grayslake.

The students, who receive two credits from Ehime University for their visit, have also toured the Chicago Botanic Garden, Willis Tower and the Art Institute of Chicago, took an architectural boat tour and shopped on Michigan Avenue.

The visit is proving rewarding for both students and CLC faculty. The students, most of whom are visiting the U.S. for the first time, have valued the chance to build their English skills and learn American culture. "I have found that Americans are kind-hearted," said Sakiho Tanioka, a humanities major who is planning a career as a tour guide. "I'm excited to visit the U.S. and have an opportunity to make new friends at CLC."

CLC faculty have enjoyed the chance to further strengthen the bond between Ehime and CLC and prepare students for a web-connected, global economy. "Global awareness is one of the key skills for the 21st century, and one way to develop this skill is through study abroad," Bruellman said. "Students can develop cultural awareness, flexibility and problem-solving skills. Students and others learn about themselves, their country, their language and their own world view."

The two-way exchange is necessary for mutual understanding, noted Betsy Kubota, adjunct adult education instructor and trip coordinator. Besides practical details on lodging and transportation, Kubota discusses cultural differences and similarities with the students.

"We talk about Americans' beliefs in equality and individuality as well as about our emphasis on punctuality, friendliness and informality," she said. "This kind of cultural exchange is very important for students from abroad and in the U.S. to learn that their culture and country is not the only way to live. Americans and Japanese are more isolated geographically than some countries, such as European nations, so having an opportunity to visit a foreign country, see how people live, experience a college campus and visit a host family goes a long way to building good international relations."

The students' visit will culminate Sept. 22 when the students will deliver poster presentations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new Café Willow on elements of Japanese culture they feel are important for Americans to know. The public and college community are invited to attend the presentations. The day ends with a farewell dinner with faculty, staff and peer mentors who worked with the students.

For information on CLC's range of international programs, including a three-week trip to Japan in late May and early June of 2017, visit www.clcillinois.edu/cie.