Sakura Scholars Program Fosters US-Japan Connection

Many students study abroad during their college experience, but not many international programs offer a dual degree at the end of the program. The Sakura Scholars program at SIS is a one-of-a-kind, undergraduate, dual degree program that allows students to study at Ritsumeikan University (RU) in Kyoto, Japan, and at American University (AU) in Washington, DC. Sakura Scholars offers students countless cultural, educational, and practical experiences and opens doors for careers in both countries upon graduation.

Students, staff, and faculty members associated with the Sakura Scholars program recently had the opportunity to attend two special events focusing on US-Japan cooperation and education: the arrival ceremony for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House and a meeting with the Japanese Minister for Education, Sports, Science, and Technology, Masahito Moriyama, on AU's campus. To learn more about the program and these exciting opportunities, we caught up with Study Abroad Advisor Jessica Meagher and two students in the program, Keika Kurokawa, SIS/BA '25, RU/BA '25, and Nodoka Katsura, SIS/BA '25, RU/BA '25.

Creating the program and connecting students

AU and RU have a three-decade-long relationship and have been exchanging students since the 1990s. There are multiple programs between the two schools, including undergraduate and graduate semester-long programs, dual-degree programs, and even a faculty exchange program. The Sakura Scholars undergraduate dual-degree program is the most recent addition to the portfolio, with the first class beginning in 2018 and graduating in 2022. Since its inception, 22 students have graduated from the program, and 121 students have been admitted from both AU and RU. Students who complete the program receive a BA in Global International Relations from both institutions.

"Ritsumeikan is designated as a top global university by the Japanese government, and they're also the only APSIA (Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs) school in Japan. Academics-wise, they're the best possible fit for a partnership and for being able to support students while they are there," said AU program advisor Jessica Meagher.

The Sakura Scholars program is highly selective, only admitting a maximum of 25 students each year. Students apply to the program while still in high school and must meet admission requirements for both schools, including English exams for students who are native Japanese speakers. All program classes at both AU and RU are taught in English; however, students who are non-native Japanese speakers are required to take Japanese language classes during the program and must reach an intermediate level by the time of graduation. Students are designated as either "AU or RU home" students based on the institution at which they begin the program. The academic year in Japan begins in the spring, so students beginning the program in Japan spend three consecutive semesters at RU, four consecutive semesters at AU, and then one final semester at RU before graduating. Students who begin the program at AU spend three semesters at AU, four semesters at RU, and then return for a final semester at AU.

Life as a Sakura Scholar

Studying abroad for two years can be an intimidating prospect, but for students in the Sakura Scholars program, the educational foundation and preparation for life abroad helps make the transition easier. Beyond just preparing students for their academic ventures, the program also provides resources and opportunities for networking, internships, and other development activities.

"Studying abroad for two years is tough; however, I got a lot of support in prepping for the study abroad experience. We were introduced to a lot of opportunities, including internship openings and networking events, which helped me spread my experiences beyond campus," said current Sakura Scholar Nodoka Katsura.

The Sakura Scholars program offers students the unique opportunity to not only study abroad for an extended time but also to experience a new culture and learn from new perspectives.

"I knew I wanted to do this program because it allows enough time to really integrate into the culture of a new country," said fellow Sakura Scholar Keika Kurokawa.

Building global perspectives and gaining valuable experience in an international setting is key to helping students find the best career path for them. Thanks to the Sakura Scholars program and the opportunities it provides, both Nodoka and Keika are considering future careers related to international relations and communications. After graduating, Nodoka hopes to become an international journalist or reporter to "help bridge the US and Japan through international news," while Keika hopes to become a diplomat for Japan to "further the mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Japan."

Furthering US-Japan connections

Two recent events gave Sakura Scholars at AU the remarkable opportunity to witness the US-Japanese relationship firsthand and provide feedback on US-Japan educational programs. Select students and staff were invited to the White House on April 10, 2024, to attend the arrival ceremony for Japan's prime minister. At this ceremony, both President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida gave remarks on US-Japan cooperation.

"It was really cool to see the ceremony, and I was surprised at how many people and groups were there who had Japanese connections," said Kurokawa. "It felt a little bit like being home in Japan for me at that moment."

While the Japanese delegation was in town, select students, faculty, and staff were invited to meet with Moriyama Masahito, the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), and staff from the Japanese Embassy to discuss US-Japan education programs. The group met on AU's campus on April 9, 2024, and heard remarks from the minister and students before participating in a Q&A session. Nodoka Katsura was selected to give a speech to discuss her experience with the Sakura Scholar program and was able to have a one-on-one conversation with the minister.

"I spoke about how the Sakura Scholars program made me realize the importance of listening to many people's opinions and forming my own ideas. Especially in the field of IR [international relations], the perspectives from the West and East are very different, but by learning in two nations, you can find your own way to objectively criticize after learning opinions from two perspectives," said Katsura. "I was also glad that I was able to speak about the differences between Japanese and American university education and the importance of these programs."

Opportunities like these are incredibly special and valuable for students, faculty, and staff alike involved in study abroad programs, as it's not only a unique experience, but it allows for feedback that can be helpful for the programs and future developments. Meagher had the opportunity to give the MEXT minister and the group a tour of campus, and following the conversations and experience, she believes the future of further US-Japan education cooperation is bright: "During the discussions, we had a lot of different topics, but we were able to really focus on the goals and challenges of building more exchange programs between our countries."

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