On April 11, 2026 at the Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus, the Center for International Education and Cooperation (CIEC) conducted the Exchange Student Fair, which allows students to learn about making study abroad plans, as well as opportunities for international exchange on-campus. Including the individual consultation sessions conducted on April 13 and 14, a total of more than 560 students participated in the event over the course of three days. At the Exchange Student Fair, which is held twice a year, students can learn about each study abroad program, as well as on-campus international exchange programs, and experience the latter firsthand.
Kwansei Gakuin University actively engages in fostering opportunities for international exchange, as shown by its three-time ranking as the top university in Japan in terms of the number of students dispatched abroad according to an annual survey conducted by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). At present, KGU has partnerships with over 320 universities and international organizations in 60 countries and regions, and offers a diverse array of international programs suited to each student’s own needs.
At the “Making Your Study Abroad Plan” seminar conducted at the start of the Fair, CIEC study abroad advisors gave explanations about how to prepare for an exchange, how to find an exchange program that suits you, financial support systems offered by KGU for international education programs, and gathering information going forward. After that, students who had previously participated in elementary-level and intermediate-advanced-level exchange programs took the stage to lead information sessions on their programs. The speakers introduced their own experiences and discussed how to balance study abroad with club activities and job hunting, how to choose a program, and what to prepare going forward in anticipation of study abroad.
One speaker, who joined a medium-term study abroad program in English while on the American football team, discussed how he was able to balance team activities and study abroad. Another student, who participated in an international exchange program, told an anecdote about how something their host family said when they joined a short-term program in their first year was the catalyst that led to their participation. A Cross-Cultural College (CCC) participant talked to an attentive audience about their history as a returnee, and their experience of choosing to do the Career Seminar and Internship program in Japan instead of going overseas.
The “Global Table” program, where KGU students could interact with exchange students from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North/Central/South America, was also held at the Fair. Over 50 exchange students from 21 countries and regions participated, and introduced attendees to their own cultures and home universities. In addition, a new event was held this year, with undergraduate Schools giving information sessions on the international programs they offer. Faculty and staff members in charge of such programs at the School of Humanities, the School of Sociology, the School of Economics, and the School of International Studies–which conduct programs available to students from all Schools–took the stage to promote the appeal of unique programs that are based in School expertise.
After the Fair, a student who attended the panel discussion for medium-term study abroad programs said, “I only had a vague idea about what each exchange program entailed, but thanks to the stories of other students who have actually participated, I was able to develop a clear understanding.”
Another student who joined the Global Table said, “I spoke to an American exchange student who showed me videos from of they actually live, and was able to get a sense of the vibe. They taught me about some American trends and we became friendly.”
