Earlier this fall, President Greg Cant, Angela Cant and Kimberly Niezgoda, EdD, director of the English Language Center and program coordinator for the master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), traveled to Japan to visit three study abroad partner universities: Tamagawa University, International Christian University and Kanagawa University.
It was the Cants’ first time in Japan, and they marveled at both the culture and its beautiful landscapes and scenery. Meeting with the different universities was an eye-opening experience, and solidified the partnerships to continue growing study abroad opportunities for Japanese and Wilkes students.
“I credit Kimberly [Niezgoda] and Cathy Lee [Arcuino] for initially forging and maintaining these relationships. By continuing these visits, we are helping to cement the permanency in these relationships and nurture opportunities that can grow,” said President Cant.
Whether in Tokyo or in the countryside, President Cant described Japan as an amazing mix of modernity with a palpable ancient connection. At each institution, the Cants and Niezgoda took part in ceremonies and rituals that are deeply respected and honored in Japanese culture.
“Every object, every step in the process, and every precise movement holds deep meaning. Traditions and rituals, like the tea ceremonies we were privileged to participate in and observe, are beautiful ways of expressing appreciation, respect and honor for one another. In these moments, everything has a purpose and rich significance,” said President Cant.
There is a strong belief and understanding that Japan is a relationship-based culture, and it is imperative to work on these relationships, particularly as Wilkes pursues new partnerships.
“I lived in Japan for four years, teaching English at universities. In Japan, forming partnerships or conducting business requires a foundation of trust and a strong, committed relationship. Building and maintaining these relationships takes time, which is why I make it a priority to visit every year,” said Niezgoda.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Niezgoda was introduced to potential partners by a fellow colleague in the University and Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). From those introductions, Niezgoda began a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experience with Tamagawa University in Tokyo. COIL is a virtual exchange program that allows students and faculty to collaborate with international peers. During Wilkes’ visit with Tamagawa, the university provided royal treatment by bringing in a special chef to prepare the same meal they had served to the crowned prince of Japan, Crown Prince Fumihito.
International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo is another partner with Wilkes. ICU is comparable to Ivy League institutions in the United States, and students and faculty are fully bilingual. ICU has summer programs and sends students abroad, a requirement for first-year students. Students have the choice to select one out of five institutions to attend, and Wilkes is their only partner currently in the United States. In 2020, Niezgoda was introduced to ICU by another colleague, and she created an entire summer program that ran virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic. It consisted of teaching six hours a day for six weeks via Zoom and was so successful that ICU decided to send their students in-person to Wilkes in 2022, 2023 and 2024. For the third year in a row, ICU has ranked Wilkes University a number one partner for their Studying English in America program for first-year students, which is a tremendous achievement considering ICU’s other partnerships with prominent institutions.
“Few universities offer ESL [English as a Second Language] programs, and those that do often lack the depth and breadth needed to fully support students. At Wilkes, we are proud to provide an exceptional ESL program for an institution of our size, one that has profoundly benefitted the many international students who have chosen to be part of our community,” said President Cant.
With Kanagawa University in Yokohama, the partnership with Wilkes began with a presentation. The US State Department promoted Wilkes’ COIL program in Japan through JAFSA (Japan Association for Foreign Student Affairs), which is composed of universities, individuals and other entities that work to promote international education in Japan and around the world. From that introduction alone, Kanagawa University contacted Wilkes to further the conversation. Now, three years later, two of their students joined campus this past fall semester to experience the United States for the first time.
Mao Takai, from Niigata, is majoring in cross culture and Japanese studies and hopes to work in the tourism industry. Towa Sasaki, from Yokohama, is working towards her engineering degree in applied physics. Takai studied in the University Preparatory Program (UPP) and First-Year Foundations (FYF 101) at Wilkes. Sasaki took courses in fluid mechanics, physics, music and English.
“I want to stay here,” said Takai, who returned to Japan in December. “Living in Japan can be hard. People are so very different. In Japan, people care, but here, people can express themselves more freely and are more independent. I feel more free here.”
Sasaki credits Cathy Lee Arcuino, executive director of global engagement, with immersing them into the culture and taking them to restaurants to experience American cuisine. “I was happy to eat a lot of American food,” said Sasaki.
Takai and Sasaki also engaged in many different activities and events on and off campus, including visiting Reaper’s Revenge, Knoebels, the Bloomsburg Fair, hiking in the region and traveling to New York. They agree that this experience at Wilkes has been transformative.
“I am more confident in myself. My professors here care about me,” said Takai. “My friends here are also confident, so I get inspired. I am inspired by them because they are always trying something new and I really respect them. So I am trying new things more often.”
As for Sasaki, she has a deeper appreciation for her educational experience. “Not only could I improve my English, but I could also study specialized subjects such as physics and fluid mechanics. I believe this will help me in the future,” said Sasaki.
They also acknowledged the difficulty in studying abroad and visiting a foreign country for the first time, but agree that it has been an incredibly fruitful challenge.
“I would definitely recommend studying abroad, especially at Wilkes University. I think it is small in size and they communicate often. They have a good culture and many activities. Wilkes has so many international students, and despite their differences, they all respect each other regardless of their nationality,” said Takai.
Of course, study abroad is not just for international students to come to the Wilkes campus. It is also for Wilkes students to explore the world in return.
“Learning new languages, embracing different cultures and connecting deeply with diverse people are transformative experiences that not only drive change but also change us in return,” said President Cant. “Moreover, we are not an insular institution—we take pride in our commitment to diversity and in cultivating meaningful connections across cultures.”
Niezgoda is thrilled for the increased exposure of the University’s undergraduate programs in Japanese culture and society, and would like to see more Wilkes students venture to Asia.
“In my 18 years at Wilkes, I’m finally starting to see the impact of our internationally-focused events. For the first time, I’m witnessing people from across campus coming together to experience the richness of different countries and watch our international students proudly share the unique aspects of their cultures,” she said.
Niezgoda agrees that the next steps are to simply keep fostering and keep growing. Following her deep passion for travel, learning and personal growth, she intends to provide students with the same study abroad opportunities that helped to shape who she is, further saying, “I’m all about transforming lives, and this is one amazing way I get to do that.”
The visits between Wilkes and its partners in Japan will continue, ensuring an investment in the personal relationships built through partnership while exploring more beneficial opportunities for students.
“Each student possesses a unique and invaluable perspective. Immersing oneself in another culture, particularly as part of a minority, offers an unparalleled opportunity for personal growth and profound learning. We encourage all students to explore studying abroad, and we are committed to expanding access to these opportunities,” said President Cant.
Are you a current Wilkes student interested in studying abroad? Learn more details and information here.
Are you an international student interested in studying at Wilkes? Learn about the Office of Global Engagement for more information and resources.
