In 2009, Mikoto was a support group created by Japanese international students living in Los Angeles that used social networking sites as a means to help Japanese international students adjust to living abroad. Due to the lack of communication and professional backing, the program ended.
In late 2011, the Agency of Education teamed up with some of the original members of Mikoto to revive the support group. Now under the partial leadership of the Agency for Education, Mikoto has a new direction.
Being a former international college student from Japan in the U.S., Mr. Koyamada understands the difficulties in studying abroad where one faces multicultural diversity, language miscommunication and different societies, things that make life difficult to handle in a foreign country. Thus, it is very important that students are able to gain access to the right resources and support from individuals who have experienced living and studying abroad, places where they were surrounded by new environments different from their home.
Through events, social networking and under the leadership of the Agency, Mikoto’s new direction is dedicated to educating Japanese students who live and study abroad on how to deal with lifestyle changes, multicultural diversities, and differences in language and societies. Students can also learn how foreign local communities and governments function differently from Japan and thereby can increase a students understanding of themselves and their country. When students gain confidence, it can reduce some of the fears and stress that comes from daily life abroad. In turn, they’ll be able to reduce their risk of veering away from their studies as well as helping them to focus more on successfully completing their college education abroad.
Mikoto also supports Japanese residents who are interested in studying abroad by giving them an opportunity to connect with active and former international Japanese students who can instill positive motivation by sharing their real experiences of studying overseas. |
