The College of Intercultural Communication was established in 2008 and our international partnerships have steadily grown over time. First, we branched out to countries that would support the languages that CIC students learn (English, Chinese, German, French, Korean, and Spanish). Next, we diversified our partnerships to include countries that use other languages, represent other cultures, and present alternative locations, which amplified the academic opportunities and rich experiences for CIC students. Then, in 2022 in preparation for increasing our annual enrollment from 145 students to 210 students starting in 2024, we began in earnest to expand the number of our partnerships to meet the needs of more students as well as the growing percentage of students who are language-ready to sit for academic courses conducted in English. We are still seeking new partners to provide students with additional mobility choices. This effort has garnered great benefits to CIC, our students, our courses, and to the campus life at Rikkyo University—as well as to all of the exchange students we have welcomed.

The CIC Study Abroad Program is a one or two semester-long for-credit program in which, in principle, all CIC students are expected to participate. As part of CIC students’ education, they study English plus one additional language (Chinese, German, French, Korean, or Spanish). The Study Abroad experience is to develop their language use skills, gain an understanding of another culture as well as their own, and grow as a member of the global society by experiencing daily life in another culture. In principle, students depart in the second semester (our Fall semester) of their second year of education, and we expect that their study abroad experiences will influence their choice of senior thesis topic. The option to study abroad is open to degree-seeking international students as well.

The College of Intercultural Communication undergraduate program rests upon two principles: Understanding and Implementation. The approach of putting theoretical knowledge into practice is combined with student choice, allowing them to find an area(s) of interest among the four specialized fields of: Language Studies, Communication Studies, Global Studies, and Translation and Interpreting Studies. Students will ultimately focus on one of the four fields of our curriculum as the guiding topic of their graduation thesis.

Within the CIC, we have the Dual Language Pathway (DLP). Each year a cohort of 15 Japanese students enter the DLP with the focus of taking most of their classes in English and with the plan to study abroad for one year in English. CIC is also a member of the university-wide PEACE Program initiative. PEACE Program students will earn their degrees entirely in English. Thus, a core part of the CIC curriculum is conducted in English,covering all four years of the undergraduate program. The majority of these courses are open to our international exchange students, allowing them to take courses conducted in English while also study Japanese.
Incoming international exchange students also have access to courses conducted in English and Japanese that are offered by other faculties on campus.

CIC is excited about our exchange partnerships, and we value how they significantly contribute to the growth of all of our university students. CIC believes in students living and learning together with international peers, and that’s a driving reason behind why CIC offers engaging classes in both English and Japanese, allowing students to challenge themselves as well as encouraging interactive learning with peers from diverse backgrounds. CIC also offers programs that extend beyond the campus boundary to promote active learning in everyday life. We look forward to supporting your students along their journey toward a life of embracing differences.

As a full-time professor, I find great joy in overseeing our Study Abroad Program focused on the academic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal gains for all students involved. I am fortunate to have been able to meet a number of our partners in person at NAFSA, EAIE, and APAIE in addition to making a number of campus visits. Success in student mobility depends upon partner relationships and understood expectations.

International exchange students will be partnered with a Japanese student who will help them with their use of Japanese as well as on-campus and daily life needs. This Buddy System is especially helpful during the first few weeks from orientation to the start of classes.