Reinforcing Support Systems for Study Abroad Students in order to Encourage them to Challenge Themselves

As Vice President for Global Academic Affairs, one of my main responsibilities is to strengthen the support system for students studying abroad. As of May 1, 2025, Sophia University has exchange agreements with 346 universities across 64 countries. While we receive approximately 700 international exchange students each year, only around 400 of our own students go abroad annually.  Considering the rapidly changing global landscape, it is imperative to enhance the support framework for students seeking to pursue opportunities to study overseas. This enhancement is crucial to ensure that our students can do so with confidence and peace of mind.

Up until now, Sophia University has offered personalized support through the Center for Global Education and Discovery. The center also provides a 24-hour crisis management service. This service allows students to get help when facing emergencies or difficult situations. But I think the university does not have sufficient information to really understand what our students are doing while studying abroad.

Given this, I would like to create a system where we can hear directly from students about their experiences abroad, and share those insights with faculty, staff, and fellow students on campus. We would like to stay connected with our students and provide ongoing support throughout their time abroad. To do this, we would ask students to talk about the joy of studying overseas, as well as the challenges they face. We would also encourage them to share photos and videos of their daily lives on social media. Additionally, by making it possible to follow the study abroad experiences of fellow students across the university, we aim to inspire more students to consider studying overseas themselves.

More Than Just Language Skills: Providing e Enriching Experiences for Our Students

While I graduated from the Department of English Studies in Sophia’s Faculty of Foreign Studies, I did not study abroad during my time as a student. Instead, I pursued graduate studies in the United Kingdom after graduating. One reason for this was that, at the time, year-long study abroad programs were the norm, and the idea of staying abroad for a longer period was quite dauting.

Today, however, a wide range of options are available. Students can take semester-long programs, short-term language courses during academic breaks, overseas training programs, social engagement programs, and internships abroad. For instance, they can first try a short-term language course abroad before committing to a longer study abroad experience. They can also apply what they’ve learned in class through international internships. The various study abroad opportunities make Sophia special and attractive.  

Studying abroad is often seen as a means to improve your language skills. However, it offers a wealth of opportunities for learn more and discover new things about yourself. Immersing oneself in a different environment, meeting people from diverse cultural backgrounds and values, and confronting challenges independently are all experiences, that would can help a person grow and enrich their life. In my own case, the lessons and experiences I gained through studying abroad have had a profound impact on my current work and research. I met friends from around the world during that time. They are still important and supportive people in my life.

However, some students may feel nervous about studying abroad or may not yet understand why it is appealing. Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus is home to many international students. During breaks, conversations in multiple languages can be heard throughout our campus. This creates a vibrant and globally minded atmosphere. I hope to foster a welcoming environment where students who might be unsure about studying abroad can feel the international energy on campus and develop an interest in exploring opportunities abroad.