This hands-on learning environment provides opportunities to encounter diverse values outside the regular curriculum and to nurture personal growth through interaction with others. It allows for the connection of learning to practical application by engaging in community-based activities and on-site collaboration.

The exchange program with Yakumo Town was initiated and is supported by our alumni. By interacting with the people of Yakumo Town, students can learn about the town’s industries, culture, and history through hands-on experiences. This allows students to study Yakumo Town while gaining insights into Japanese industries and contemplating the nature of Japan’s interactions with the rest of the world.

Participation is not limited to Japanese students, and many international students join. The diversity of nationalities among participants is a key feature of the program. A multifaceted examination of Japanese industries is enabled by the exchange of opinions from various perspectives.

The town of Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture was severely damaged during the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through interactions with local residents and educational activities, this program allows participants to trace the memories of the disaster, while also experiencing the natural beauty of Minamisanriku through hands-on forestry and fishery activities in this town rich in natural resources.

Participants can grasp the future potential of Minamisanriku by learning about the past through the lens of education centered on natural disasters.

This program involves interacting with junior high school students in Iitate Village and providing them with academic, career, and extracurricular guidance. The career support component helps students gain a clearer understanding of their own traits and broadens their horizons by exposing them to diverse values and encouraging discussion about their future dreams. Programs exploring recovery initiatives following the Great East Japan Earthquake are also available.

For activity reports on extracurricular education programs, please visit the FIND SOPHIA “Sophia and Volunteering” page.