The SAF Annual Meeting, which had previously been held in Tokyo, was held in Kansai for the first time. This provided a valuable opportunity to interact with new participants and to exchange opinions on the issues facing each region.
This in person meeting included 30 participants from 16 universities across the country (11 of which were SAF member universities).
Agenda:
- Opening Remarks
- SAF 2024 Activity Report
- Sharing the results of the preliminary survey
- Trends in sending and accepting students abroad
- Changes in student trends toward studying abroad
- Issues (English ability, costs, lack of accommodation, etc.)
- Student support: recent trends
- Visa and securing accommodation information updates
- Strengthening emergency responses
- Presentation of student support case studies
- Student experiences
- Discussions and information exchange
- Notices from SAF
- Closing Remarks
Campus tour
On the campus tour, the group first visited the International Affairs Department/Study Abroad Information Room (second floor, building 4), the home of the Kyoto branch of SAF’s Japan Office. Here, the group was given an explanation of the activities that take place during the semester, as well as how events and local staff provide support to create an environment where students can feel comfortable asking for advice.
The next stop was the library, where the group was introduced to a valuable collection of books, including crepe paper books (Japanese Folk Tales) that were published in foreign languages during the Meiji period and that are rarely circulated in Japan, the works of William Shakespeare, first published in 1623, as well as research on his works. The participants received a detailed explanation on the historical value and cultural background of such works, providing a valuable learning opportunity.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting began with a message from Professor Atsuhito Kurozumi of the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, who spoke about the importance of supporting study abroad and its future prospects, during which he also commented on his own experiences. He appreciated that the meeting was being held in Kansai for the first time, and hoped that it would be an opportunity to deepen collaboration with even more universities and students.
SAF 2024 Activity Report
Next, Brett Rumminger, Director of SAF’s Japan Office, reported on the performance of 2024 activities and the strengthening of collaboration with member universities.
New partner universities and new programs
Rumminger first introduced the five universities that joined SAF as new partners in 2024:
- Takushoku University
- Sapporo City University
- Chiba University of Commerce
- Sophia University
- ZEN University
He expressed his gratitude for the new cooperative relationships and expressed his hope for the further strengthening of relationships in the future.
New universities and programs that have been added as study abroad destinations were also announced.
- Dalhousie University (Canada)
- Language Standalone Program
- Language + Concurrent Program
- Dublin City University (Ireland)
- Language Standalone Program
- Academic (language courses included)
- Language + Academic (language courses included)
- Academic Program
- Hanyang University (South Korea)
- Academic Program
- Internship Program
- Faculty + Internship Program
He emphasized that through these new study abroad destinations and programs, he hoped to cater to a greater variety of study abroad needs and to provide students with opportunities to deepen their learning in specialized fields.
In 2024, 489 students studied abroad through the SAF program, exceeding the number in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Development of New Programs
Next, a presentation was given on new programs that will provide more practical and diverse learning opportunities for 2025.
- Exchange + Internship Model (starting in 2025)
- An internship program with a study abroad model that is targeted at students who have completed an exchange program and that allows students to gain international work experience.
- Support students in taking the “next step” toward building an international career by putting the language proficiency they have acquired during their exchange program into practical use. This will allow them to gain practical experience that will give them an important advantage when job hunting after returning to Japan.
- There are two types of internship programs: a program in collaboration with the internship department of IES and an academic internship program in which students study at the host university while taking academic courses.
- Short-term Specialized Training Program (Study Tours) (Click here for program details)
- Unlike traditional language training study abroad programs, short-term training programs specialized in specific fields of expertise have been developed.
- Programs on cutting-edge and socially important themes such as nanotechnology, AI, sustainability, and international relations are offered.
- The “Learning Community Development in Cape Town, South Africa” training program has been announced as a new program for 2025. The program will provide practical knowledge about the development of local communities and is expected to include content involving activities that will make contributions to society.
Sharing the results of the preliminary survey
Next, Natsuko Kamibayashi, Assistant Director of SAF’s Japan Office, announced the results of a survey that was conducted on the status of study abroad dispatch and acceptance.
According to a survey that was conducted among member universities and faculties, as well as non-member universities attending the Annual Meeting, the following trends were observed in the number of students going on exchange and study abroad programs in 2024.
- Number of mid to long-term (one semester to one year) students sent abroad → Almost the same as the previous year
- Number of short-term students sent abroad → Increased from the previous year
In addition, an analysis of the number of students sent abroad by country showed that the number of students hoping to study abroad in the United States decreased, while the number of students hoping to go to Europe (the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Belgium), where they can study in English, increased. It was also found that the number of students hoping to study abroad in Asia, including South Korea, increased.
In addition, the survey revealed the following changes in students:
- An increased number of students giving up on exchange programs due to their inability to meet English language requirements. Rather than a decline in English proficiency itself, there appears to be a trend toward an increasing number of students who “do not set ambitious goals” and “find it difficult to continue making efforts.”
- The soaring cost of studying abroad is a major issue. The cost burden is increasing, and there is a demand for more scholarships and grants.
- More students are prioritizing “studying abroad that leads to a career”. There is a growing trend to choose short-term programs and study abroad programs that include internships.
Based on the results of this survey, SAF would like to continue offering a variety of study abroad programs that meet the needs of students.
Recent trends in student support
Next, Rie Ooba, Senior Manager, Program Advising at SAF Japan's Office, reported on the challenges students face while studying abroad and the efforts being made to support them.
Ooba first gave a presentation on the crisis management system AlertMedia, which was introduced in 2024. It was used to warn students during demonstrations that took place at the time of the US presidential election, the West Coast earthquake, and the Los Angeles wildfires.
Next, an introduction was given to some examples of the support that was provided in 2024.
- Admission to the ICU due to worsening COVID-19 infection
- A major water leak in the student dormitory made it impossible to stay there
- Suspected COVID-19 infection just before returning home from a short-term program
During the second half of the Annual Meeting, a fourth-year student at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies who studied abroad at the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom in 2024 presented their experiences.
They reported on their active daily life as an “Excited Hunter” in London, accompanied by many wonderful photos, and received the loudest applause of the day from the participants.
Discussions and information exchange
After the break, a discussion was held about how to support study abroad in the future.
This year, participants were divided into groups based on topics of interest collected beforehand, allowing for more in-depth discussions. In previous years, there were complaints of insufficient time being allocated to this part, so this year the discussion time was set to a longer period of 80 minutes, which allowed for a lively debate.
Reception
To conclude the Annual Meeting, a reception was held to encourage networking among participants.
The reception started with a dance by Maiko Katsuwaka. The participants responded with warm applause to this typical show of Kyoto hospitality, and the socializing began in a gorgeous setting.
Participants enjoyed conversation in a relaxed atmosphere and actively exchanged information with international exchange officers from each university and SAF staff members.
The food served, along with the beautiful dance, was well received, and it was a valuable opportunity to deepen friendships while exchanging opinions about the future of support for studying abroad.
Holding the SAF Annual Meeting in Kansai for the first time provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the future of study abroad support from a new perspective. SAF will continue to support more students so that they can take off into the world.
Next year’s SAF Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held at Chuo University Tama Campus, with the cooperation of everyone at Chuo University. Please keep an eye on SAF’s future activities!
