(For International Students from Our Partner Institutions in the Pacific Island Region)

University of the Ryukyus Inter-University Exchange Projectin partnership withOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)“Engaging with a Sustainable Island Future: Nurturing Global Leadershipfor Sustainability of the Pacific Island Region”
Intensive Study Program in Okinawa, Japan for AY2022-23

Program Description
The Intensive Study Program (“Program”) provides students with the opportunity toparticipate in an in-person cultural and study abroad experience centered on the theme ofsustainability, with the aim of fostering global leadership to build a regional network forpreservation and sustainability of island communities, cultures and environments in thePacific Island Region. The program invites all student participants to explore the significanceof the 17 SDGs within the Pacific Island Region. It encourages development of skills
necessary to identify common issues concerning sustainability, while leveraging knowledge
and nurturing leadership to design and undertake unique and effective solutions to resolvepressing problems facing the region. The program features guest lectures, joint programmingwith OIST, field trips as well as opportunities for interaction and collaboration with Japaneseand international students studying at the University of the Ryukyus.
All program contents will be conducted in English. Students are encouraged to take initiativeby preparing for class interaction in advance and actively participating in all components ofthe program. Students must also take part in pre- and post-program components utilizing
COIL that will familiarize participants on the main themes of interest in this program.
In consideration of the program’s focus on fostering multicultural understanding andcommunication, the Intensive Study Program is also open to students from the University ofthe Ryukyus.

Program Period (Main Program in Okinawa)
March 11 to March 19, 2023 (9 days, 8 nights)*Pre- and post-programs not included

1Eligibility（for official registrants）
University and college undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in theUniversity’s partner institutions in the Pacific Island Region.
Partner institutions in the Pacific Island Region: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, University ofHawai‘i at Hilo, Maui College, Kaua‘i Community College, Kapi‘olani Community College,
Hawai‘i Community College, Honolulu Community College, Leeward Community College,
Windward Community College, University of Guam, Palau Community College, College ofMicronesia-FSM, College of Marshall Islands

Number of Participants
Up to 7 undergraduate students from our partner colleges/universities in the Pacific Islands
will be selected to participate in the program.
Financial support covering expenses for return airfare and accommodation is available.
(Applications from privately funded students who intend to participate in this program without
receiving financial support from the University will be considered separately.)
Application Conditions
Participants must fulfill the following conditions.
(1) Students must be currently enrolled in undergraduate/associate or graduate programs at
the University’s partner universities/colleges.
(2) Students must participate in all program components including pre- and post-programs.
*Students unable to complete program components due to unavoidable circumstances suchas health issues must receive instructions from program coordinators on alternative learning.
(3) Students must display keen interest in learning about Okinawa and the Pacific Island
Region as well as in active communication and interaction with Japanese students.
(Japanese language skills are not required for participation in this program).
(4) All students must possess valid travel documents (passport of at least 6 months validity).
* Students from the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of theMarshall Islands must obtain a Temporary Visitor visa (90-day stay). For more on visa
information, consult the Japan Consulate or visit https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000121327.pdf(5) Participants must be students who expect to continue their studies and graduate fromtheir home institutions after program participation. Students who plan to terminate theirstudies before or after program participation, or are currently on temporary leave of absencefrom their home institutions will not be eligible to apply.

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(6) Upon completion of the program, participants will be requested to render assistance tothe University’s Inter-University Exchange Project by promoting it at their home institutions,such as through requests for cooperation in advising and assisting future study abroad
applicants from one’s home institution.
* Students may be asked to allow the University to use their photographed images for future
promotional efforts.

Course Credits
Those who successfully complete the program in full (including pre-and post-program
components) will receive TWO credits (“Special Lectures on Inter-Disciplinary Sciences”).
These credits may be transferred upon review and approval by participants’ home institutions.
Curriculum Structure
The program is comprised of in-person lecturers, field trips and collaborative group work.
There are 30 study hours in the main program (pre- and post-program components andgroup/individual assignment work not included).

Languages Used
The main language of instruction is English. Japanese language proficiency is not requiredfor participation in this program. (English interpretation will be provided for lectures conductedin Japanese. All program materials in Japanese will be supplemented with Englishtranslations.)******************************************************************************************************Program OutlineThis program has three components: pre-program synchronous COIL, and the main program
to be held in Okinawa, as well as in-person post-program reflection and review.

<Pre-Program>Participants are required to participate in two pre-program sessions prior to the main program.
The pre-program COIL will prepare students for the main program, allowing them to become
well acquainted with their program buddies and learning expectations regarding the program.
Pre-Program Synchronous COIL session (1)(1) Students must take the BEVI1assessment

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The Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory (BEVI) is an online survey tool widely used for assessment

3(2) Upload a 2-minute self-introduction video on the video-sharing platform, Flip
(3) Icebreakers(4) “What are the 17 SDGs?” – Learning about SDGs and group discussion
Pre-Program Synchronous COIL session (2)(1) Individual Presentation
Students are expected to conduct research on one to three SDGs and explain how thesegoals relate to their home country/territory, paying particular attention to problem
areas/issues of concern, as well as the impact caused to natural and social environments.
Existing or potential action to address such problems and issues should also be included.
Findings must be presented in a visual presentation containing 3-5 presentation slides.
All student presentations will be peer evaluated.

<Main Program>
All lectures will be conducted face-to-face and include time for group work and intercultural
discussion. Collaborative work sessions are required for the final group presentation.
Required assignments from lectures and field trips should be submitted within one week ofthe program’s conclusion. All participants will be required to take the second BEVI
assessment and submit a program evaluation survey immediately after the completion of theprogram.
<Post-Program>(1) All participants must submit a reflection report within one week of completing the mainprogram (A4 1-2 pages, 1,000 words, double-spaced).
(2) All participants are required to take their third BEVI* assessment within 2 months afterthe main program.

of educational programs.

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Main Program Schedule (Subject to Change without Prior Notice)
ScheduleContents(in JST)
Pre-program
1: 2/18 (Sat)First pre-program synchronous COIL and 1st BEVI assessment (90mins)

2: 2/25 (Sat)Second pre-program synchronous COIL – individual presentation (90mins)

3/11（Sat）

Arrival in Okinawa

3/12 (Sun)Program Introduction and Orientation (30 mins)
BEVI Assessment (60 mins)
Team Building (30 mins)

3/13 (Mon)

Lecture 1: Toward Sustainable Food Production: Integrative LandOcean Cultivation Project, Fumihiro HAGA, Global Education Institute,
Univ. of the Ryukyus (90 mins)
Field trip to the University’s aquaculture facility (NAICe) (120 mins)

3/14 (Tue)Joint Programming with OIST (9:00-17:00, 8 hours)
Coral Reef Conservation and Transplanting Experience with Onna
Village Fishery Cooperative
Visit to OIST, lunch with OIST faculty and researchers
Lectures at OIST

3/15 (Wed)

Lecture 2: Nature’s Resilience – Soil Erosion in Hawaii, Guam andOkinawa (90 mins) (joint lecture with Kauai CC and University of Guam)
Lecture 3: SDGs, the Hult Prize and Journeys in Discovering Paths toStudent Leadership - Ryuji ISHIKAWA, Faculty of Global and Regional
Studies, Univ. of the Ryukyus, with alumnus Ryoma MEKARU andChinen ANJU (90 mins)
University of the Ryukyus Ecological Campus “Plogging” Tour
(120 mins)

3/16 (Thu)(Overnight stay in Yomitan Village)(AM) Collaborative group work(PM) Homestay and cultural immersion experience53/17 (Fri)(AM) Collaborative group work(PM) Half-day tour of Yomitan Village

3/18 (Sat)

Final Group Presentation, Closing ceremony (90 mins)
Second BEVI Assessment and Program Evaluation Survey (GoogleForms) (60 mins)

3/19 (Sun)Post-Program Reflection, 2nd BEVI Assessment
Departure from Okinawa*Participants are also required to submit a reflection report (A4 1-2 pages, 1,000 words,
double-spaces) to be submitted within one week after the completion of the main programand complete a third BEVI assessment (within 2 months after the end of the main program)(60 mins)
Grading and Evaluation
Participants will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Pre-program assignments

30%

Participation and assignments from main program lectures, fieldtrips

20%

Final group presentation on SDGs

40%

Final Report and BEVI assessments（#1,2）

10%

Total

100%

Program Costs
All selected participants are required pay 30,000 JPY (in cash only) upon arrival in Okinawa.
This will be used to cover expenses for program activities, admission fees to places ofinterest and field trips.
Funding is available for the following:-Round trip airfare (between the nearest domestic/ international airport and Naha
International/Domestic Airport)-

Accommodation during the program

Please note that funding does NOT cover the following:-Meals (about 2,000JPY per day=16,000JPY for 8 days)-

Passport, visa application fees, international travel insurance, and medical costs
incurred during the program-

Additional costs incurred from flight delays and/or excess luggage-

Fees for official documents issued by one’s home institution

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-

Ground transportation to and from Naha Airport and transportation fees incurred
during free and personal time during the program.

Application Process
Applicants must submit all documents listed below to r-sekaten@acs.u-ryukyu.ac.jp(1) Program application form
(2) Certificate of enrollment from participant’s home institution(3) A copy of participant’s most recent academic transcript(4) Permission and indemnity form
All application documents can be downloaded from the following URL:
https://ged.skr.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/sekaten/en/news/
Application Deadline
November 30, 2022 (Mon) at 5:00 PM (Japan Time)
Notice of Application Outcomes
Applicants will be notified of selection outcomes by early December 2022.
For inquiries please contact: Satoko KUDEKEN (Ms.), Serinah TAN (Ms.)
Institute for Global Education, the University of the Ryukyus
1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, JAPAN
TEL：+81-98-895-8092/

FAX：+81-98-895-8850

E-mail：r-sekaten@acs.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Website: https://ged.skr.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/sekaten/en/

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