The Contribution of “Study Abroad” Programs to Japanese Internationalization

“Study abroad” needs promoting, as it is an effective alternative for many Japanese university students to enhance their international experience and cross-cultural understanding, thus contributing to the internationalization of Japanese universities. To consider what has to be done to promote “study abroad” programs, this research attempts to ascertain (a) the characteristics of the “study abroad” program of Japanese university students, (b) what Japanese university students think about the “study abroad” program, (c) the factors discouraging them from studying abroad, and (d) suggestions made by university staff to promote “study abroad” programs. Online survey results of 173 Japanese university students, interview answers and monthly reports of 20 Japanese university exchange students, opinions of 15 JAFSA members, and the JASSO symposium reports from 2005 to 2007 were used as data for this study. Suggestions are made to enable Japanese university staff to further promote “study abroad” programs among their students.