Let's study abroad
(From The Japan Times May 20 issue)

海外留学を振興せよ

    Spending time in a foreign situation is part of becoming aware of and sympathetic with international and intercultural issues. Knowing the world through direct experience is part of maturing as an individual. This cannot always be accomplished within the walls of the classroom, even with an Internet connection. Students need to spend time learning languages, honing communicative skills, and understanding other societies and ways of life in person.

    Learned attitudes and real experiences are especially important since the future will be increasingly international, like it or not. Not only large companies but even small businesses will compete directly with foreign firms. What will be needed is not so much high-level business training as a cross-cultural sense. The future competitiveness of a nation in seclusion is dubious.

    Business, though, is only one reason to expand overseas studies. Japan is already engaged with foreign cultures. Whether by films or food, a thorough and sensitive understanding helps focus on positive elements of foreign cultures and filter out negative attitudes and destructive habits that make their way around the globe. A nation whose citizens have little experience abroad lacks this intercultural perspective.

    In contrast to business and government, students import experiences at a human level and can be trusted to bring in what is most beneficial. The overseas experience of individuals counterbalances the decisions of other potentially monopolizing sectors of society. Sending students abroad one by one is the most democratic way to ensure that Japan does not become dependent on business or government as the only source for new ideas, and that international politics works at a personal level.

    Not every student in Japan must study abroad, but steps should be taken to give a gentle push to make it easier for those who want to. Already, at many universities with exchange programs, the imbalance has become a serious concern. Foreign students are coming, but Japanese are not going. It may be that the only students who tend to go nowadays are already mature, strong and open-minded. The gentle push for those who want to go should take the form of government assistance, both logistic and economic, as well as broader choices in exchange programs. High schools and universities need to make it easier for students to delay graduation and then fit back into the system. Afraid of simply being out of step with their peers, or graduating a semester late, many students decide to stay home.

    Companies need to reconsider their hiring systems and place more value on students with international experiences. The job search process has already become part of college students' third year just when most students could be going abroad. Because of the pressure of job hunting, most students take the safe and sure route and remain in Japan for job interviews rather than challenge themselves abroad.

    The argument that something is missed while one is out of Japan rings false. Studies on students returning from abroad reveal that they learn more about Japan while overseas than at home. Students report they are not only more motivated to learn after going abroad but learn valuable lessons that complement, rather than conflict, with their education in Japan. Ironically, rather than force slavish mimicking of Western ways, study abroad helps reaffirm the essential qualities of Japan.

    The warning signs of an inward-looking nationalism are obvious. Study abroad is one way to reverse that trend and turn outward toward communication and understanding. In this regard, Japan has as much to learn from nearby Southeast and East Asian countries as from the West.

    Most importantly, studying abroad implants an active and open approach to learning, and to life. Maturity, thoughtfulness and ability to make decisions are just several of the many qualities that students can acquire abroad. They have the potential to change the nature of Japan's future national character, for the better.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 26, 2007
(C) All rights reserved

    世界を知ることは、個人として成熟することにつながる。自分で言語を学び、コミュニケーション能力を磨き、異文化を理解する必要がある。

    大企業ばかりでなく、中小企業も海外企業と競争している。必要なのは高度の実務的訓練というよりも、異文化間の交流だ。

    日本は、外国と経済交流ばかりでなく、映画、ファッション、食文化などで文化交流をしている。外国文化の理解を深めることにより、外国についての排他的態度をなくすことができる。留学生は、政府、企業関係者と異なり、人間的交流から利する部分が大きい。

    外国の大学と交流計画を採用している多くの大学では、外国人留学生が増加する一方、日本人の外国留学生は減少している。学友と同じ歩調を取らないこと、卒業が遅れることを恐れ、留学を回避する学生が多い。

    学生全員が留学せねばならないわけではないが、希望者の留学を容易にする方策を取るべきである。企業も新入社員採用方針を改め、学生の海外経験を重視すべきだ。最近は留学どころか、大学3年から始める求職活動に忙しい学生が多い。

    帰国留学生を対象にした調査によれば、国内よりも海外で日本について学ぶことが多いという。留学は欧米文化の模倣よりも、日本の良さを確認する機会になることが多い。

    さらに、海外留学は学生に成熟した思想、思慮深さ、決断力を身につけさせ、日本人の国民性を良いほうへ変える可能性がある。