Tokyo Jogakkan was founded in 1888 with the mandate to cultivate "women of character who can interact on an equal level to Western women." It is said that even at that time, the founders envisioned sending students to study abroad. Even though that plan was not realized, "internationalization" is now one of the pillars of a Jogakkan education.
For Japan in the 21st century, an education that prepares students for a globalized society is absolutely essential. Many private schools now send their students on study abroad trips during vacations for this reason.
To meet the demands of the times to educate women who can assume leadership on the world stage with a firm understanding of their own country and a global outlook, we are engaged in a variety of educational practices.
We actually began to develop a concrete program of "internationalization"
after the 100th Anniversary, under the leadership of Director Masahide
SHIBUSAWA. We began with a study tour of Oregon for middle and high school
students in the summer of 1995, adding exchange programs schools in Southeast
Asia (Thailand and Malaysia), and we now offer one year study abroad opportunities
at schools in England and the US. Also, the elementary school has begun
both an English language program and study tours to the US. In 1999, we
drafted the statement "Mission for the 21st Century" as a new
vision to respond to the challenges of our changing society while still
remaining true to the founder's ideals. To that end, the liberal arts college
was started in April, 2002, and the International Class was started in
April of 2004.
ICEC Activities
(Middle and High School) |
The study abroad activities are supported on a practical basis by
the Intercultural Education Center(ICEC) . With ICEC at the center, daily
international exchange activities are taking place at TJK, such as visits
by foreign visitors, the hosting of foreign exchange students, and the
American Field Service(AFS) International Understanding Programs' short-term
stay program.
Also for those students who individually arrange study abroad, under
conditions that meet TJK's standards, our study abroad system allows for
credits received from an institution abroad to be recognized and exchanged
for credits at TJK and students are able to proceed to the next grade level.
Through these various activities, students deepen their intercultural
understanding, and gain education and knowledge to become people with a
global outlook. |
