2016 | Study abroad program for international communication in Asia (Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS)

Course description and aims

Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS is an approximately 5-month program that includes preparatory studies (June-July), an 11-day study visit to one of the Southeast Asian countries, a final report and a final presentation session.
During the 11-day study abroad program, Tokyo Tech students visit an overseas partner university, several local and Japanese companies, governmental institution and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project with students who participate from partner universities in Southeast Asia. At the end of each day, students have group discussions about what they learn during the visits, and give a presentation based on those discussions on the last day.
This is a one of the study abroad programs in the Global Scientists and Engineers Course.
The aim is to cultivate international literacy, positivity, coordination and communication skills through preparatory studies, site visit and final presentation session.

Student learning outcomes

By observing sites of factories, governmental institution and JICA project in one of the emerging Southeast Asian countries, this program fosters a better understanding of social and industrial problems of the local area. Moreover, it aims to promote mutual understanding among students through discussions and cultivate global human resources with the abilities to cooperate with others from different countries and cultures.

Keywords

Intercultural communication, Global leader, Group discussion, Southeast Asian countries, Short study visit, Sites of factories, Governmental institution, JICA project

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills

✔ Intercultural skills

✔ Communication skills

✔ Critical thinking skills

✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS is an approximately 5-month program that includes preparatory studies (June-July), an 11-day study visit to one of the Southeast Asian countries, a final report and a final presentation session.
During the 11-day study abroad program, Tokyo Tech students visit an overseas partner university, several local and Japanese companies, governmental institution and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project with students who participate from partner universities in Southeast Asia. At the end of each day, students have group discussions about what they learn during the visits, and give a presentation based on those discussions on the last day.

Course schedule/Required learning

	Course schedule	Required learning
Class 1	01. Preparatory studies (June-July) - Lectures by professors in English, - Factory tour in Japan - Lecture on local language and culture of the country where students visit - Safety lecture - Preparatory research about factories and institutions where students visit - Pre-trip presentation 02. Study visit (the end of August or the beginning of September) - Visits to a host university, local and Japanese companies, governmental institution and JICA project - Group discussion with foreign students from partner universities in Southeastern countries - Final presentation session on the last day of the program - Cultural exchange session, visit to world heritage site, etc. 03. Final report (approximately a week after coming back to Japan) Students write a report in English about activities in the preparatory studies and study visit. 04. Final presentation session Students review their presentations that they made in the study visit and give a presentation again about what they have learned through the whole program.	01. Preparatory studies Learn how to discuss together through lectures by professors, factory tour in Japan and preparatory research about factories and institution where students visit. 02. Study visit Improve skills of international communication and logical explanation through visits to a host university, local and Japanese companies, governmental instittution and JICA project and though group disussion with foreign students from partner universities in Southeastern countries. 03.04. Final report and Final presentation Acquire potential of brief writing for the final report and potential of appropriate expression for the final presentation about what students have learned through the whole program.

Textbook(s)

None

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Reference materials are distributed as necessary

Assessment criteria and methods

Academic score is evaluated by enthusiasm, teamwork, contents of presentation, etc. in preparatory studies, study abroad program, final report and final presentation session.

Related courses

NCL.U506 ： English in a Global World

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Participants are selected by document screening (500-word essay in English) and group discussion in English. Undergraduate students are required to register for the Global Scientists and Engineers Course (Except for graduate students). If the first and second grade students of undergraduate participate in this program, it is not admitted as basic course requirement. Therefore they need to apply for another study abroad program in third or fourth grade.

Other

All the participants are required to join specified overseas travel insurance before study abroad program.

TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY