Tohoku University Program
The Tohoku University exchange is a two-week program for undergraduate students from Japan’s Tohoku University. The program’s goals are to immerse students in the English language and U.S. culture, to learn about and experience the natural beauty of Western Montana and the Rocky Mountains through hands-on learning experiences related to nature, the environment, and climate, and to help students reach their leadership potential as members of the global community.
This exchange explores multicultural themes through the lens of Global Environmental Issues while promoting cultural diversity and international engagement with University of Montana students. Both the Tohoku students and University of Montana students gain the unique experience of learning about each other’s countries and cultures through direct interaction and shared experiences.
Throughout the program, Tohoku students learn from University of Montana faculty and community leaders about Indigenous environmental issues, shared environmental concerns, and effective presentation and communication skills. The two-week exchange encourages direct engagement between students through classroom activities, collaborative discussions, cultural experiences, and focused projects that culminate in student presentations.
Japanese students also have the opportunity to engage with a Cultural Partner. Cultural Partners are University of Montana students who are interested in learning about Japanese student life and culture. They share their experiences from a U.S. student perspective, discuss shared environmental concerns, and connect through conversations about common hobbies, interests, and cultural traditions.
This exchange is partially supported by the generosity of the Japanese government through the Mansfield Chair in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs endowment.
Contact
For more information, contact program manager Chandali Vinyard at chandali.vinyard@mso.umt.edu.