As a university devoted to the promotion of international education, we recognize the essential roles that human creativity, intelligence, and initiative play in the development of increased intercultural understanding. All of these elements are encouraged in an atmosphere of free intellectual inquiry at Kansai Gaidai. We believe that a knowledge of traditions and cultures different from our own draws us closer to the human family of which we are all a part, while at the same time making us more aware of both the possibilities and the limitations of our own heritage. We live in a world of diverse cultures, each of which, in its own way, is trying to cope with ever more rapid technological and scientific advances and competing ideologies. Such a world offers awesome challenges as well as great opportunities for cooperation and interdependence, but only to those who are willing to work diligently at distinguishing and thereby ultimately understanding those cultural and ideological differences that otherwise separate the peoples of the world.
International understanding is developed in many ways.
It is our intention that this program provides you with the foundation necessary to begin your own exploration into this exciting realm of intercultural awareness. It was in pursuit of this goal that we established the Asian Studies Program. Through our academic and other related programs, we encourage students to develop such qualities as knowledge of self, self-acceptance, a restless curiosity, and a mature concern for others. We have found that those students successful in developing these qualities are better able to understand and interact with cultures very different from their own, while enjoying the experiences and challenges that are a vital part of their development as international and intercultural people. This challenge awaits you at Kansai Gaidai.