Internationalization of the School of Educationinternationalization

Kyushu University, Faculty of Education established an International Course in 2019 to promote the internationalization of undergraduate education.

Conducting Lecture and Seminar Subjects in English

The School of Education offers lecture and seminar subjects in English, led by Professor Edward Vickers and Associate Professor Chen. Professor Edward Vickers’s course, Education and Modern State Formation in Asia and Europe, focuses on the history of the formation of mass education systems in Europe, Asia, and North America. The course aims to encourage students to think critically about the purpose of education in modern society. Citizenship Education in Contemporary Asia, conducted by Associate Professor Chen, discusses the concept of citizenship, the educational field of citizenship education, and the characteristics, challenges, and ideals of citizenship education in contemporary Asia.

Introduction to Overseas Fieldwork and Overseas Internships

In recent years, the demand for “Japanese-style education” has been increasing overseas, as the world has been paying closer attention to its quality. There are various academic perspectives through which to explore this phenomenon, such as whether the education being developed there is “Japanese-style education,” what is required of “Japanese-style education” in the educational culture of another country, and how “Japanese-style education” is being localized.
The Kyushu University School of Education has formed agreements with various overseas educational institutions, which are difficult for individual students to visit, in order to provide opportunities for students to experience not only Japanese school sites but also overseas educational sites.
Currently, the Faculty of Education conducts overseas fieldwork in Southeast Asia (Thailand and Vietnam) in September and East Asia (China and Taiwan) in March (8 days and 7 nights). In these short-term study-abroad program, students will have various experiences such as visiting local schools, assisting Japanese language classes, interacting with students, and attending pedagogical lectures at local universities. In September, we have an internship at the Mongolia–Japan Center for Human Resource Development (an office affiliated with JICA and the Japan Foundation), where we will spend two weeks negotiating with local companies and assisting with Japanese language education.
Such short-term study-abroad experiences are expected to lead to more long-term study-abroad stays, ranging between one and six months.

China

Day 1 Travel day (Fukuoka to Shanghai).
Day 2 Assist with a mock lecture at Shanghai Wenlai High School.
Day 3 Visit a special needs school in Shanghai.
Day 4 Attend a pedagogy lecture at East China Normal University and interact with students in English.
Day 5 Travel day (Shanghai to Nanjing).
Day 6 Presentation on pedagogy in English at Nanjing Normal University.
Day 7 Tour of schools in Nanjing and visit to the Museum of Chinese History.
Day 8 Travel Day (Nanjing- Fukuoka).

Thailand / Vietnam

Day 1 Travel Day (Fukuoka to Bangkok).
Day 2 Interact with university students in Bangkok.
Day 3 Travel Day (Bangkok to Nakhon si Thammarat).
Day 4 Assist with Japanese class at Thai Junior High School attached to Yanagawa High School.
Day 5 Travel Day (Nakhon si Thammarat to Hanoi).
Day 6 Class observation at Japan International School.
Day 7 Class observation and interaction with students at the School for Gifted and Talented Foreign Languages attached to Hanoi National University and visit the Vietnam Ethnic Museum.
Day 8 Travel Day (Hanoi to Fukuoka).

Taiwan

Day 1 Travel Day (Fukuoka to Taipei)
Day 2 Travel to Taitung to visit museums and educational facilities.
Day 3 Visit cultural facilities and learn about indigenous culture.
Day 4 Travel to Taipei to visit a museum and study session on politics and remembrance.
Day 5 Pedagogy lecture at Taiwan Normal University, visit to memorial museum in Taipei.
Day 6 Continue to visit education-related organizations and museums in Taipei.
Day 7 Interaction with students from National Taiwan University, Duanjiang University, and the Japan–Taiwan Student Conference.
Day 8 Travel Day (Matsuyama to Fukuoka).

Overseas High School-University Connection Education and Research Center

The Kyushu University School of Education has concluded agreements with four educational facilities to establish overseas centers for education and research that are connected to high schools and universities. At these bases established by the School of Education, students will have the opportunity to gain overseas educational training, providing assistance in Japanese language education, and class tours. These bases cooperate as a place to practice the Overseas Fieldworks and Overseas Internship, which is a class subject at the School of Education.

Xinnan High School Shanghai Wenlai Senior High School(Equivalent to Japanese high school)

Xinnan High School Shenzhen No.3 Senior High School(Equivalent to Japanese high school)

Yanagawa High School Thai Junior High School attached to Yanagawa High School

Mongolian Japanese Material Development Center

About the Study-Abroad Partner Schools

The Kyushu University School of Education has seven partner universities around the world, and students can apply to study abroad programs based on the inter-departmental exchange agreements.

In addition to the above, Kyushu University has partnered with a number of universities from all over the world, and students can study abroad in various countries if they get selected by one of these universities. Many students from the School of Education go abroad to study every year, and many international students come to the School of Education and the Graduate School to study. Laboratories with visiting foreign researchers conduct seminars in English, and an international research environment is provided. For more information on international study-abroad opportunities at Kyushu University, please visit the university website or consult with the list of countries listed below.

International Study-Abroad Division Website.

http;//www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/intlweb/

Study-abroad destinations for undergraduate Education students (since 2008)

Study-Abroad Support that is Unique to the School of Education

In cooperation with the International Student Centre, the School of Education provides support for students who wish to study abroad, which ranges from assisting with the procedures to applying for various scholarships. In particular, we provide detailed support for students applying for the MEXT’s “TOBITATE Japan!” study-abroad program, from application form support to interview practice. We also support students’ overseas experience by providing a variety of scholarships such as Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), Kyushu University Foundation (short-term study-abroad support), and the Faculty’s own scholarship (Faculty of Education Student Short-Term Overseas Activity Support Program).

Comments from the Faculty Members in Charge of Study-Abroad

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience for students. We listen to students’ concerns and worries about studying abroad, and provide detailed advice to make it the best study-abroad experience for them. In addition, for scholarships that require an interview, we help students prepare. If students wish, we can also introduce them to researchers in the overseas research network of the faculty of the School of Education, and make arrangements so that they can receive education in pedagogy and educational psychology overseas.