Transcript International Exchange

International Communication and
Collaboration
Masayasu AOTANI
The International Center
Kyoto University
2015/7/20
International Exchange
and
Internationalization
Ideas for Today and Tomorrow
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An Overview of This Lecture
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International Exchange
Internationalization of Japan
Japan and the United States
Studying Abroad and Internships
World’s Center of Scientific Research
Discussion Topics
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Why do we need international
exchange?
• Seeing is believing. – There is no substitute
for a firsthand observation or experience.
• One can never understand people in an
entirely different situation without making a
conscious effort to do so.
• International exchange is international
comparison to establish a reference frame.
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Why do we need international
exchange?
• It happens in today’s shrinking world
anyway. Why do we not do it right?
• Local standards vs. global standards or even
universal standards – But, note that there
may not be such a thing as a universal
standard. Standard = Coordinates here
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Types of International Exchange
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Academic exchange
Cultural exchange
Collaborative projects
Overseas assistance
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Internationalization of Japan - 1
• Become more used to dealing with
differences (foreigners included)
• Create an environment where English alone
is sufficient to live and thrive
• Allow controlled immigration
• Accept more quality students and younger
workers from overseas (internships)
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Internationalization of Japan - 2
• Send more students and young workers
overseas (internships, exchange programs)
• Hire quality foreign workers for permanent
positions
• Do not lose sight of Asia
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Internationalization of Japan - 3
Build a country that does not have to make a
conscious effort to internationalize any
more.
The problem is precisely the fact that we have
to make a conscious effort to
internationalize and/or to engage in an
international exchange.
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The Situation in the United States
• The difference between “domestic” and
“foreign” is blurred. Hence, there is far less
discrimination against foreigners.
• Universities in the United States tend to be
more sensitive to the needs of students and
society. This is regardless of the citizenship.
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Two Diametrically Different
Societies and Cultures - one
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USA
Value differences
Verbal communication
Immigrants
Multi-racial
Competition
Specialists
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Japan
Avoid differences
Nonverbal communication
Generations in Japan
Mono-racial
Cooperation and harmony
Generalists (education,
employment)
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Two Diametrically Different
Societies and Cultures - two
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USA
Winner takes all. (has
to be in the first place)
Individuals
More resources
Dislike authority
Localized politics
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Japan
Shared (shared merit
payment, diligence bonus)
Groups
More resourceful
Respects authority
Centralized politics
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What Could Japan Do?
• Would the same model work?
• What modifications are in order?
• What should Japan not do?
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Studying Abroad and Internships
A similar environment - Unlike attending a
language school, attending a college as a
regular student gives you a chance to
compare your life and activities as a student
in Japan with those in a foreign country.
A different environment - Internships give you
a chance to experience intercultural
communication in an unfamiliar setting.
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Merits
• Can do what one can never do at home gaining experience
• Ability to make own judgment
• Enhanced problem solving ability
• Improved adaptability
• Time and job management
• Building confidence
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Exchange Programs
Student and scholar exchange programs are
great ways to promote international
communication.
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Foreign Students in the United
States
More than 400,000 in comparison to 60,000 in
Japan
– 60s Canadians
– 70s Iranians with oil dollars
– 80s Taiwanese
Taiwan > Malaysia > China > Korea
Made In Taiwan = Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
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Remark
Unlike Japan where many foreign students are
being brought in by governmental policies,
the United States needs foreign talents to
sustain its growth. However, the distinction
between “foreign” and “domestic” is
blurred considerably by a large number of
immigrants the United States already has
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and gets every year.
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World’s Center of Scientific
Research
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17th Century: England
18th Century: France
19th Century: Germany
20th Century: The United States
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In the 21st Century?
Historically, foreign students tended to go
back to their home countries after studying
abroad.
For the first time in the history, foreign
students are staying after they complete
their education. The United States is very
accomodating to foreign nationals and
immigrants.
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Concluding Remark - one
Including those from the third-world
countries, whether Japan can keep and
attract foreign Ph.D.s is one measure of
internationalization. As it stands now, it
looks as though the United States is
absorbing all the talents in the world.
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Concluding Remark - two
There may be an academic and/or
technological World War III in which Japan
faces all surrounding Asian nations in the
form of leading scientists and engineers in
the United States.
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What College Students Can Do at
Home
The first step to international collaboration and
communication can be taken at home. It does not
make sense to advocate international exchange on
one hand and ignore other schools and groups inside
Japan on the other. Japanese are overly sensitive to
differences and coming in contact with alien factors.
For example, it is most difficult for the Japanese to
cooperate without compromising different views
first.
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Think About This - one
• Why is volunteerism thriving in the United
States? Is it not a country of individualism?
• Is it not best to leave developing countries alone?
Isn’t free competition at the core of capitalism? It
looks like communism to me. Is it not democratic
after all to let them achieve things for themselves?
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Think About This - two
• Some countries allow dual citizenship. Should
Japan join the club? Isn’t it a great way to
internationalize?
• In the United States, it seems old people tend to
wish to be on their own. In Japan old folks used to
take it for granted to depend on younger
generation. It seems that is changing now. What is
causing this? Is it good or bad?
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Think About This - three
• Why are the Californians more environmentally
conscious than the Japanese? Are they not
supposed to care about only themselves and their
immediate surroundings?
• In Germany there are many signs along major
highways that remind people of the atrocities
committed by the Nazis. In Japan such atrocities
are all but hidden from public eye. Why the 25
difference?
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Think About This - four
• Sexual harassment is one of the biggest social
issues in the United States. But, some men feel
they were provoked because, for example, of the
way the women were dressing. Does this argument
merit any discussion?
• Is it not true that we need some material richness
to lead a comfortable life? Do we already have
enough? Are we spoiled yet? What really is
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causing all those juvenile crimes?
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Friends
Ryugakusei center of Kyoto University
supports a mailing list called “Friends”
for international residents and the
Japanese with an interest in international
exchange.
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IAESTE
The International Association for the Exchange
of Students for Technical Experience
Contact Information:
IAESTE Tokyo Office Tel 03-3498-4581, Fax 03-3498-4582
Email [email protected]
Homepage http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~iaeste/
IAESTE Osaka Office Tel and Fax 06-376-2450
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Contact Information
Masayasu AOTANI
Associate Professor
Ryugakusei Center
Kyoto University
Yoshida-Honmachi Sakyo-Ku
Kyoto 606-8501 JAPAN
[email protected]
http://cfse.ryugaku.kyoto-u.ac.jp
TEL (+81)-(0)75-753-2568
FAX (+81)-(0)75-753-2562
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