Exploring the long-term impact of study
abroad: A case study of Japanese people
Hiroshi Ota, Ph.D.,

Yuki Watabe, Ph.D., Yukiko Shimmi, Ph.D., Hiroko Akiba, Ph.D.,

Hitotsubashi University

P.I. : Masahiro Yokota, Ph.D., Meiji University
G7 International Higher Education Summit“International Higher Education-Challenges for a Greater Impact
on Global Academic Mobility-“
JASSO Tokyo International Exchange CenterMay 19, 20161

Large-scale retrospective online survey
Survey period and respondents

Selection Criteria
1.

1.

People with study abroad
experience
Period: January-May, 2015
Number of respondents: 4,489

2.

People without study abroad
2.
experience
Period: August-September, 2015
Number of respondents: 1,298

People with study abroad experience• At the least, lived primarily in Japan during elementary and juniorhigh school; studied abroad for three months or more after
graduation from a Japanese senior high school.
• The aim of study abroad was to learn a language, obtain a degree,or earn credits.

People without study abroad experience• No experiences of studying or living abroad for longer than 3months, did not live overseas as a child• Had not acquired foreign language proficiency, did not use a
foreign language at home, had not studied at an international
school in Japan prior to entering a Japanese university• Graduated from a Japanese university• Working for a company located in Japan, housewife or
unemployed2

Survey Questions
Categories
Abilities

Questions

Scales# of
Items

As a result of study abroad [graduation from a Japanese university], which of
the following abilities do you consider improved?

(４) Strongly Agree －(１) Strongly
disagree

１８

How do you define the level of the language(s) you currently use other thanJapanese?
How often do you use the language(s) other than Japanese in which you arecompetent [the foreign language in which you are most competent] in yourcurrent job?

Foreign Language Proficiency(１) Native Proficiency(２) Professional working proficiency(３) Limited working proficiency(４) Daily conversation proficiency
Foreign Language Use(１) Often－ (４) Never２

To what extent do you consider that study abroad [your experiences at
Japanese university] influenced your career?

(４) Strongly Agree － (１) Strongly
disagree６

To what extent do you consider that the following aspects of your study
abroad [Japanese university] experiences were valued by recruiters?

(４) Strongly Agree － (１) Strongly
disagree４

What differences do you perceive regarding career development andtreatment, compared with coworkers of your age without study abroad
experience？<only for people with study abroad experience>(５) Very high － (１) Very low

７

Perceptions/
ValuesTo what extent do you feel that your awareness of the following increased asa result of study abroad [graduation from a Japanese university]?

(４) Strongly Agree － (１) Strongly
disagreeBehavior

To what degree do you consider that your involvement with the following
types of activity has increased as a result of study abroad [graduation from aJapanese university]?

(４) Frequently participate － (１) Neverparticipate

８

Attitudes

Please select one from the following choices (A or B) which apply to you
regarding the following items.

(４) Close to A － (１) Close to B

８

Satisfaction withlife and work

How satisfied are you with each of the following items?

(４) Strongly Agree － (１) Strongly
disagree

Career

１６

3

６

Research Problems and Data
4

Presentation Objective and Research
Problems

Objective:
To present the comparative analysis of the Study Abroad Groupand Non-Study Abroad Group on the undergraduate andgraduate levels.
Research Problems:• Are there differences in subsequent life experience of Japaneseindividuals who did and did not study abroad?
• Are there differences in the impact of study abroad among thethree groups of study abroad participants: 1) UG degree abroad,2) UG credit-bearing abroad, and 3) Graduate degree abroad? 5

Respondent Groups
Academic Level
and Type
People with study
abroad experience(SA Group)

Length of Study
AbroadResponses
Number

Percentage

UG degree abroad

More than 3
years

416

27.3%

UG credit-bearing/otherstudy abroad

3-12 months

757

49.6%

1,173

76.9%

353

23.1%

1,526

100.0%

710

57.4%

528
1,238

42.6%
100.0%

Sub-total
Masters/PhD abroad
Total
People without study
UG degree in Japanabroad experience(Non-SA Group)
Masters/PhD in Japan
Total

More than 1
year

6Respondent Profiles: Gender

Non-SA GroupSA Group
Categories

Male

FemaleTotal #UG degree abroad

52.4%

47.6%

416

UG credit-bearing/other study abroad

50.3%

49.7%

757

Sub-Total

51.1%

48.9%

1,173

Masters/PhD
abroad

58.9%

41.1%

353

Total

52.9%

47.1%

1,526

Categories

Male

FemaleTotal #UG degree in
Japan

47.0%

53.0%

710

Masters/PhD in
Japan

54.5%

45.5%

528

Total

50.2%

49.8%

1,238
7

Respondent Profiles: Field of Study
Non-SA Group:

SA Group:
Science &Engineering

Humanities& Social
Science

HealthScienceUG degreeabroad

13.2%

72.6%

UG creditbearing/other study
abroad

8.2%

87.7%

Science &Engineering

Humanities& Social
Science

15.6%

84.4%

Type

Type

Masters/PhD
abroadOthers

Total
#

Type

3.4%

10.8%

416

UG degree in
Japan

0.8%

3.3%

757

Total #

353

Type

Masters/PhD
in Japan

Science &Engineering

Humanities& Social
Science

HealthScience

Others

Total
#

22.0%

60.7%

6.1%

11.3%

710

Science &Engineering

Humanities& Social
Science

Total #

60.6%

39.4%

528

8

Respondent Profiles: Age
50’s orolder

SA Group
UG degree abroad
UG credit-bearing/otherstudy abroad

20’s oryounger

Total #

37

99

69

13

218

Female

19

76

76

27

198

71

115

109

86

381

18

93

155

110

376

12.4%

32.7%

34.9%

20.1%

1,173

40’s

30’s

20’s oryounger

Total #

Male
Female50’s or
older

Non-SA Group

Total

30’s

Male

Total

UG degree in Japan

40’s

Male
Female

100

114

100

20

334

44

130

127

75

376

17.0%

34.4%

34.2%

14.4%

710
9

Respondent Profiles: Age
SA Group
Masters/PhD abroad
Non-SA Group
Masters/PhD in Japan

50’s orolder
27.8%
50’s or
older
12.5%

40’s

30’s

37.7%

28.3%

40’s

30’s

34.5%

37.3%

20’s oryounger

Total #

6.2%

353

20’s oryounger

Total #

15.7%

528

10

SA Group Profiles: Study Abroad Destination

UG degreeabroadUG creditbearing/other study
abroadMasters/PhD
abroad
Total

U.S.A

UK &
IrelandEU
countries(except
UK &Ireland)

Male

83.9%

5.0%

2.8%

Female

71.7%

7.1%

Male

55.4%

FemaleEast
Asia

Oceania

Canada

Other

Total

2.8%

2.3%

1.4%

1.9%

218

3.5%

5.1%

5.1%

7.1%

0.5%

198

9.7%

10.5%

8.7%

6.0%

3.4%

6.3%

381

44.9%

10.4%

10.9%

15.2%

8.0%

7.2%

3.5%

376

Science &Engineering

60.0%

10.9%

14.5%

0.0%

7.3%

1.8%

5.5%

55

Humanities &Social Science

56.7%

23.5%

6.4%

3.0%

4.7%

2.7%

3.0%

298

59.4%

11.6%

7.9%

7.5%

5.6%

4.3%

3.5%

1,526
11

Results
12Page 14 ofSummary Report13Page 15 ofSummary Report14

Analysis

1) The weighted averages of responses were computed and shown inradar charts by the 6 categories:(1) Abilities, (2) Perceptions, (3) Behaviors, (4) Career, (5) Hiring
Process, and (6) Satisfaction with life and work
4 = strongly agree; I frequently participate
3 = tend to agree; I sometimes participate
2 = relatively disagree; I seldom participate
1 = strongly disagree; I never participate2) Two sample t-tests (assuming equal variances) to compare means• p < 0.05 (two tailed distribution)3) Compared the results by 3 sets of segments• UG level (3 segments): UG degree abroad, UG credit-bearing/other study abroad, and UG
degree in Japan• Graduate level (2 segments): Graduate degree abroad, Graduate degree in Japan• Degree abroad (2 segments): UG degree abroad, Graduate degree abroad15

Improvement in Abilities“As a result of your study abroad [graduation from a Japanese university],
which of the following abilities do you consider improved?”*Question in square brackets was those for respondents without study abroad experience.
16

Improvement in Abilities
UG level (3 segments)

weighted averages

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagreeSpecialized knowledge/skills
Basic academic ability /4.0
Logical thinking
general education & culture
3.5
Foreign Language Proficiency
Critical thinking
3.0
2.5

Problem-solving

2.0

Communicative ability

1.5
1.0

Perseverance

0.5

UG degree abroad (416) 3.2
UG credit-bearing/other 3.0
study abroad (757)
UG degree in Japan (710) 2.3

Knowledge of society / customs /culture of destination [of foreign country]

0.0

Leadership

Creativity

Positive attitude /ability to take action

Social Skills
Teamwork

Ability to deal with other cultures

Flexibility
Resilience to stress
Ability to attain goals
17

Improvement in Abilities

weighted averages

Graduate level (2 segments)

Specialized knowledge/skills
Basic academic ability /4.0
Logical thinking
general education & culture
3.5
Foreign Language Proficiency
Critical thinking
3.0
2.5

Problem-solving

2.0

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Communicative ability

1.5
1.0

Perseverance

0.5

Knowledge of society / customs /culture of destination [of foreign country]

0.0

Leadership

Creativity
Masters/PhD abroad 3.2(353)
Masters/PhD in Japan 2.6(528)

Positive attitude /ability to take action

Social Skills
Teamwork

Ability to deal with other cultures

Flexibility
Resilience to stress
Ability to attain goals
18

weighted averages

Improvement in Abilities

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Degree abroad (2 segments)

Specialized knowledge/skills
Basic academic ability /4.0
Logical thinking
general education & culture
3.5
Foreign Language Proficiency
Critical thinking
3.0
2.5

Problem-solving

2.0

Communicative ability

1.5
1.0

Perseverance

0.5

Knowledge of society / customs /culture of destination [of foreign country]

0.0

Leadership

Creativity
UG degree abroad
3.2
(416)
Masters/PhD abroad 3.2(353)

Positive attitude /ability to take action

Social Skills
Teamwork

Ability to deal with other cultures

Flexibility
Resilience to stress
Ability to attain goals
19Improvement in Abilities

weighted averages

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

5 segments

Specialized knowledge/skills
Basic academic ability /4.0
Logical thinking
general education & culture
3.5
Critical thinking
Foreign Language Proficiency
3.0
2.5

Problem-solving

2.0

Communicative ability

1.5
1.0

Perseverance

0.5

UG degree abroad (416) 3.2
UG credit-bearing/other study
abroad (757) 3.0
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 3.2
UG degree in Japan (710) 2.3
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.6

Knowledge of society / customs /culture of destination [of foreign country]

0.0

Creativity

Leadership
Positive attitude /ability to take action

Social Skills
Teamwork

Ability to deal with other cultures

Flexibility
Resilience to stress
Ability to attain goals
20Changes in Perceptions andValuesTo what extent do you feel that your awareness of the following increased asa result of your study abroad [graduation from a Japanese university]?
*Question in square brackets was those for respondents without study abroad experience.
21

Change in Perceptions and Values: UG level (3 segments)

weighted averages

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Greater awareness of being JapaneseGreater feeling of usefulness
4.00
Greater awareness of being Asian(awareness that one is needed by society)3.50
Greater self-efficacy
3.00
Greater awareness of being a global citizen(awareness of the ability to do the thing one should do)
2.50
Greater self-esteem(self-confidence)
Became able to withhold value judgments andthink about the reasons for a situation
Greater awareness of taking risks/
taking on challenges
UG degree abroad (415)2.97

UG credit-bearing/otherstudy abroad (757) 2.88

2.00
1.50

Greater interest in political / social issues

1.00
0.50
0.00

Greater interest in diplomacy/international relations
Greater awareness of global issues
such as the environment, poverty etc.

Greater awareness of peace
Grater religious tolerance
Greater awareness of coexisting with
Greater awareness ofpeople who have diverse values/
taking on work in the household,cultural backgrounds
regardless of genderGreater awareness ofgender equality in society

UG degree in Japan (710)
2.01

22

Change in Perceptions and Values: Graduate level (2weighted averages

segments)

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Greater awareness of being JapaneseGreater feeling of usefulness
4.00
Greater awareness of being Asian(awareness that one is needed by society)3.50
Greater self-efficacy
3.00
Greater awareness of being a global citizen(awareness of the ability to do the thing one should do)
2.50
Greater self-esteem(self-confidence)
Became able to withhold value judgments andthink about the reasons for a situation
Greater awareness of taking risks/
taking on challenges
Masters/PhD
abroad (353) 3.05
Masters/PhD in
Japan (528) 2.07

2.00
1.50

Greater interest in political / social issues

1.00
0.50
0.00

Greater interest in diplomacy/international relations
Greater awareness of global issues
such as the environment, poverty etc.

Greater awareness of peace
Grater religious tolerance
Greater awareness of coexisting with
Greater awareness ofpeople who have diverse values/
taking on work in the household,cultural backgrounds
regardless of genderGreater awareness ofgender equality in society
23Change in Perceptions and Values: Degree abroad

weighted averages

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Greater awareness of being JapaneseGreater feeling of usefulness
4.00
Greater awareness of being Asian(awareness that one is needed by society)3.50
Greater self-efficacy
3.00
Greater awareness of being a global citizen(awareness of the ability to do the thing one should do)
2.50
Greater self-esteem(self-confidence)
Became able to withhold value judgments andthink about the reasons for a situation
Greater awareness of taking risks/
taking on challenges
UG degreeabroad (415) 2.97
Masters/PhD
abroad (353) 3.05

2.00
1.50

Greater interest in political / social issues

1.00
0.50
0.00

Greater interest in diplomacy/international relations
Greater awareness of global issues
such as the environment, poverty etc.

Greater awareness of peace
Grater religious tolerance
Greater awareness of coexisting with
Greater awareness ofpeople who have diverse values/
taking on work in the household,cultural backgrounds
regardless of genderGreater awareness ofgender equality in society

24Change in Perceptions and Values: 5 segments

weighted averages

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

Greater awareness of being JapaneseGreater feeling of usefulness
4.00
Greater awareness of being Asian(awareness that one is needed by…
3.50
Greater awareness of being a global
Greater self-efficacy
3.00
citizen(awareness of the ability to do the…
2.50

Greater self-esteem(self-confidence)

2.00
1.50

Greater interest in political / social
issues1.00

Became able to withhold value
judgments and…
UG degree abroad (415) 2.97
Greater awareness of taking risks/UG credit-bearing/other taking on challenges
study abroad (757) 2.88
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 3.05
Grater religious tolerance
UG degree in Japan (710) 2.01
Masters/PhD in Japan 2.07
(528)

0.50
0.00

Greater interest in diplomacy/international relations
Greater awareness of global issues
such as the environment, poverty etc.
Greater awareness of peace

Greater awareness of coexisting with
Greater awareness ofpeople who have diverse values/…
taking on work in the household,…
Greater awareness ofgender equality in society
25Changes in Behavior

To what degree do you consider that your involvement with the following
types of activity has increased as a result of study abroad [graduation from aJapanese university]?
*Question in square brackets was those for respondents without study abroad experience.
26

Changes in Behaviors
UG level (3 segments)

weighted averages 4 = I frequently participate
3 = I sometimes participate
Activities which contribute to
2 = I rarely participate
the local community
4.00

Exchange activities withpeople active in diverse fields

3.50
3.00
2.50

1 = I never participate

Arts and cultural development/ educational support
activities

2.00
1.50
1.00

Exchange activities withpeople of diverse ages /generations

0.50
0.00

UG degree abroad (415) 2.14
UG credit-bearing/otherstudy abroad (757) 2.35
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.64

Local environmental activities

Support activities for people
with diverse values andcultural backgrounds

Political activities
Exchange activities withpeople with diverse values
and cultural backgrounds

27Changes in Behaviors
Graduate level (2 segments)

weighted averages
Activities which contribute to the
local community

4 = I frequently participate
3 = I sometimes participate
2 = I rarely participate
1 = I never participate

4.00

Exchange activities with people
active in diverse fields

3.50
3.00
2.50

Arts and cultural development /educational support activities

2.00
1.50
1.00

Exchange activities with people ofdiverse ages / generations

0.50
0.00

Support activities for people withdiverse values and cultural
backgrounds

Political activities
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.35
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 1.69

Local environmental activities

Exchange activities with people
with diverse values and cultural
backgrounds

28Changes in Behaviors
Degree abroad(2 segments)

weighted averages
Activities which contribute to the
local community

4 = I frequently participate
3 = I sometimes participate
2 = I rarely participate
1 = I never participate

4.00

Exchange activities with people
active in diverse fields

3.50
3.00
2.50

Arts and cultural development /educational support activities

2.00
1.50
1.00

Exchange activities with people ofdiverse ages / generations

0.50
0.00

Support activities for people withdiverse values and cultural
backgrounds

Political activities
UG degree abroad (415) 2.14
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.35

Local environmental activities

Exchange activities with people
with diverse values and cultural
backgrounds

29Changes in Behaviors
5 segments

weighted averages
Activities which contribute to
the local community

4 = I frequently participate
3 = I sometimes participate
2 = I rarely participate
1 = I never participate

4.00

Exchange activities withpeople active in diverse fields

3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00

Arts and culturaldevelopment / educational
support activities

1.50

Exchange activities withpeople of diverse ages /generations

1.00
0.50
0.00

Local environmental activities

UG degree abroad (415) 2.14
UG credit-bearing/otherstudy abroad (757) 2.35
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.35
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.64
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 1.69

Support activities for people
with diverse values andcultural backgrounds

Political activities
Exchange activities withpeople with diverse values
and cultural backgrounds

30

The impacts of study abroad experiences
on career and life31

Current Job Position0%

UG degree abroad (394)UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (693)

20%

14.2%

7.6%

Masters/PhD abroad (348)

13.2%

UG degree in Japan (670) 0.3%

16.9%

Masters/PhD in Japan (526)

18.6%

40%

18.3%

60%

42.2%

27.9%

68.5%

71.3%

80%

100%

15.0%

43.4%

54.3%

20.1%

Percentage (%) in
management roles*
9.1%

32.5

12.4%

5.6%

27.7

9.5%

7.2%

41.1

14.0% 0.3%

17.2

10.1%

18.6

Executive / board
memberManagerial classincluding heads ofdepartments / sections,managers, professors etc.
General staff classincluding assistantprofessors, etc.
Part-time / contract staff

Other*The percentage in management roles is the total proportion of those in “the executive/board member class” and in
the “managerial class.”
32

Current Annual Income
UG degree abroad (416)
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (757)
Masters/PhD abroad (353)

Masters/PhD in Japan (484)

27.2%

20.2%

7.4%

UG degree in Japan (652)

33.3%

10.0%

20.0%

28.1%

30.0%

15.6%

27.8%

40.0%

50.0%

70.0%

3.0%
.9%
.9%

479.3 (4.79m)

80.0%

2～4 million yen

4～6 million yen

6 ～8 million yen

8～10 million yen

10～15 million yen

15～20 million yen

over 20 million yen

792.9 (7.92m)

0.3%
0.3%
5.5% 2.8%

449.1 (4.49m)

6.8%0.4%

553.0 (5.53m)

12.0%

0～2 million yen*PPP for GDP: US$1 = JPY106 (OECD 2015)
1 million yen = US$9,433

547.0 (5.47m)

5.4% 5.4%

11.8%

15.5%

60.0%

5.0%1.9%
1.9%

8.9%

15.5%

14.2%

16.5%

40.2%

3.9%

10.1%

14.2%

23.4%

19.0%

16.5%

11.3%

0.0%

25.0%

27.4%

14.4%

Average annual income(Unit: 10,000 yen)

90.0%

100.0%

33

Career

To what extent do you consider that your study abroad [Japanese university]
experiences influenced your career?
*Question in square brackets was those for respondents without study abroad experience.
34

weighted averages

CareerUG level (3 segments)

Helpful in planning my career
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00

I gained motivation to workwith an NPO/in social action

2.50
2.00
1.50

Helpful in gaining my current
job

1.00
0.50
0.00

I gained motivation to start a
venture(both for-profit and not-forprofit)
UG degree abroad (394) 2.72
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (693) 2.49
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.96

Helpful in obtaininga higher current
salaryI use knowledge and skills
gained while studying abroad[at Japanese universities]
in my current job
35

weighted averages

CareerGraduate level (2 segments)
Helpful in planning my career

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

4.00
3.50
3.00

I gained motivation to workwith an NPO/in social action

2.50
2.00
1.50

Helpful in gaining my current
job

1.00
0.50
0.00

I gained motivation to start a
venture(both for-profit and not-forprofit)
Masters/PhD abroad (348) 2.91
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.24

Helpful in obtaininga higher current
salaryI use knowledge and skills
gained while studying abroad[at Japanese universities]
in my current job
36weighted averages

CareerDegree abroad(2 segments)

Helpful in planning my career
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00

I gained motivation to workwith an NPO/in social action

2.50
2.00
1.50

Helpful in gaining my current
job

1.00
0.50
0.00

I gained motivation to start a
venture(both for-profit and not-forprofit)
UG degree abroad (394) 2.72
Masters/PhD abroad (348) 2.91

Helpful in obtaininga higher current
salaryI use knowledge and skills
gained while studying abroad[at Japanese universities]
in my current job
37weighted averages

Career5 segments

Helpful in planning my career
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00

I gained motivation to workwith an NPO/in social action

2.50
2.00
1.50

Helpful in gaining my current
job

1.00
0.50
0.00

I gained motivation to start a
venture(both for-profit and not-forprofit)

Helpful in obtaininga higher current
salaryUG degree abroad (394) 2.72
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (693) 2.49
Masters/PhD abroad (348) 2.91
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.96
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.24

I use knowledge and skills
gained while studying abroad[at Japanese universities]
in my current job

38

Hiring Process

To what extent do you consider that the following aspects of your study
abroad [Japanese university] experiences were valued by recruiters?
*Question in square brackets was those for respondents without study abroad experience.
39

Survey period: March 17, 2014 – June 27, 2014
Survey respondents: 423 HR managers at companies in Japan which were clients of DISCO Inc.

Page 12 of
Summary
40 Reportweighted averages

My study abroad experience
was valued[My undergraduate or graduate degree
was valued per se]

Hiring Process

UG level (3 segments)

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00

My experience of communicatingwith foreigners was valued

0.50
0.00

The language skills I gained through study
abroad were valued[My foreign language competencies werevalued]UG degree abroad (415) 2.87
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (757) 2.60
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.88

The specialized knowledge and skills I
gained through study abroad were valued

41

weighted averages

My study abroad experience
was valued[My undergraduate or graduate degree
was valued per se]

Hiring Process

Graduate level (2 segments)

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00

My experience of communicatingwith foreigners was valued

0.50
0.00

The language skills I gained through study
abroad were valued[My foreign language competencies werevalued]Masters/PhD abroad (353) 3.09
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.05

The specialized knowledge and skills I
gained through study abroad were valued

42

weighted averages

My study abroad experience
was valued[My undergraduate or graduate degree
was valued per se]

Hiring Process
Degree abroad(2 segments)

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00

My experience of communicatingwith foreigners was valued

0.50
0.00

The language skills I gained through study
abroad were valued[My foreign language competencies werevalued]UG degree abroad (415) 2.87
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 3.09

The specialized knowledge and skills I
gained through study abroad were valued

43

weighted averages

My study abroad experience
was valued[My undergraduate or graduate degree
was valued per se]

Hiring Process
5 segments

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00

My experience of communicatingwith foreigners was valued

0.50
0.00

The language skills I gained through study
abroad were valued[My foreign language competencies werevalued]UG degree abroad (415) 2.87
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (757) 2.60
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 3.09
UG degree in Japan (710) 1.88
Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.05

The specialized knowledge and skills I
gained through study abroad were valued

44

Satisfaction with Life and Work
How satisfied are you with each of the following items?

45

Satisfaction withLife and WorkUG level (3 segments)

Are you satisfied with life?

weighted averages
Are you satisfied with your current
job?
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50

Are you satisfied with your current
income?

1.00
0.50
0.00

Are you satisfied with your study
abroad [Japanese university]
experience?

Are you satisfied with yourfriendships?

UG degree abroad (416) 2.72

Are you satisfied with your life
outside work?

UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (757) 2.74
UG degree in Japan (710) 2.45
46

Satisfaction withLife and Work

Graduate level (2 segments)
Are you satisfied with life?

weighted averages
Are you satisfied with your current
job?
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50

Are you satisfied with your current
income?

1.00
0.50
0.00

Are you satisfied with your study
abroad [Japanese university]
experience?

Are you satisfied with yourfriendships?

Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.91

Are you satisfied with your life
outside work?

Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.58
47

Satisfaction withLife and Work
Degree abroad(2 segments)

weighted averages
Are you satisfied with your current
job?
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00

Are you satisfied with life?

2.50
2.00
1.50

Are you satisfied with your current
income?

1.00
0.50
0.00

Are you satisfied with your study
abroad [Japanese university]
experience?

Are you satisfied with yourfriendships?

UG degree abroad (416) 2.72

Are you satisfied with your life
outside work?

Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.91
48

Satisfaction withLife and Work
5 segments

weighted averages
Are you satisfied with your current
job?
4.00

4 = strongly agree
3 = tend to agree
2 = relatively disagree
1 = strongly disagree

3.50
3.00

Are you satisfied with life?

2.50
2.00
1.50

Are you satisfied with your current
income?

1.00
0.50
0.00

Are you satisfied with your study
abroad [Japanese university]
experience?

Are you satisfied with yourfriendships?
UG degree abroad (416) 2.72
UG credit-bearing/other study abroad (757) 2.74
Masters/PhD abroad (353) 2.91
UG degree in Japan (710) 2.45

Masters/PhD in Japan (528) 2.58

Are you satisfied with your life
outside work?

Discussion
50

Average of Weighted Averages
6 Categories

Abilities
4.00
3.50
3.00

UG degree abroad

Satisfaction with Life
and Work

2.50
2.00

Perceptions

1.50
1.00

UG credit-bearing/other study abroad

0.50

Masters/PhD abroad

0.00

UG degree in Japan
Masters/PhD in Japan
Behaviors

Hiring-process• SA participants: impact on improvement in abilities andchanges in perceptions & values were higher• SA for a degree, esp. a graduate degree: impact on careerand hiring-process were higher

Career51

Further Study
Global Personnel Development and Long-term Impact of Study Abroad
Academic
Discipline

Gender and Age

SkillsPurpose of
Study Abroad
ValuesDuration of
Study Abroad

Language
Ability

Mid- andLong-term
ImpactWebsiteActivities

Type of
Institution
Satisfaction

Type ofStudy Abroad
CareerAttitudes

Destination
Country

Employer Survey

Perceptions

Activities andExperiences

http://recsie.or.jp/project/gj5000/
Download the summary of the survey results: http://recsie.or.jp/gj5000en

Interview People
with Study Abroad
ExperiencePolicy Development53

54

Vigorous Promotion of “Outbound” Mobility• Double # of Japanese study abroad students to 120,000 by 2020:
Japan Revitalization Strategy (2013)• Go Global Japan: Project for Promotion of Global Human
Resource Development (from 2012, for 5 years)- Increase # of Japanese study-abroad students- Improve students’ foreign language proficiency, esp. English- Enhance credit transfer system- Increase double degree programs- Type A: comprehensive, university-wide projects ⇒ 11 univs., 36,500
outbound students in total (est.)- Type B: specific, department (faculty)-level projects ⇒ 31 univs’
faculties (schools), 22,000 outbound students in total (est.)- Total: 58,500 outbound students in 5 years (est.)

55

Increasing Study Abroad (outbound)
Scholarships• Long-term (degree-seeking, graduate program)- 2.5M. yen (US$20,800)/year and 148,000 yen (US$1,233)/month(max.)- 270 recipients in 2015 (50 in 2009)• Short-term (from 8 days up to 1 year, inter-university
collaboration)- 100,000 yen (US$833) per month (max.)- 22,000 recipients in 2015 (740 in 2009)

Short-term Inbound: 7,000 recipients, 80,000 yen (US$666)/month in2015
56

Increasing Study Abroad (outbound)
Scholarships• Young Ambassador Program-Tobitate: Leap for
Tomorrow-– Public-private scholarship initiative for study abroad– Private sector’s contribution: Aim to collect 20B. yen(US$166M.)– Goal is to support 10,000 study abroad students including
high school students by 2020

• Double # of high school study abroad students to 60,000 by 2020

– # of awarded scholarships: 323 (2014), 660 (2015)

57

MEXT’s Scholarship Budgets forJapanese Study Abroad Students

Source: MEXT

58

59

60

Implications• Economic-driven policy change: for Japanese graduates to work
for Japanese companies that will do business around the worldand become more successful• Competitive funding programs have driven domestic competition
among Japanese univs. However, it’s not certain that they haveincreased Japan’s int’l competitiveness of H.Ed as a whole.
• Gap between a university’s ideal and students’ reality (capacity)
regarding study abroad programs: English proficiency is still amajor problem…
What a university wants to do for funding programs
What students can do (learn)Challenges and Opportunities• How can we make students go for the heights of success after
their first, short-term study experiences? (return/efficiency ofinvestment)

a. Expand the range of study abroad participants with the government
scholarships
b. Lead aspired students to go for a top…, but how?

• How can universities foster a globally minded workforce throughfunded study abroad programs and scholarships?

62

Challenges and Opportunities• Historically underfunded H.Ed. system as a whole v. Sudden
gov’t’s generous funds to support outbound mobility: Is this asustainable policy?

Looming fiscal crisis (Japan’s public debt reaching 250% of GDP) and
rapidly aging society (many other priories such as social welfare services).

• Too much relying on gov’t funds: Tend to lose the sight of HEI’s
mission of internationalization and its strategy ⇒ How can wecreate a self-sustainable model to support int’l student mobility?

63Thank you for your attention!
Professor Hiroshi Ota, Ph.D.
Center for Global Education
Hitotsubashi University
Email: h.ota@r.hit-u.ac.jp
http://www.hit-u.ac.jp/eng/