The Center for Cross-cultural Exchange

In 1994 the Sapientia International Language Education Center (SILEC) was founded to support the teaching and study of foreign languages as well as study abroad. SILEC grew into an active center offering a wide range of classes and activities open to all STU students. In April, 2008, in conjunction with changes in the curriculum, SILEC reopened as The Center for Cross-cultural Exchange (CCE). Throughout the school year we help students improve their English and Japanese language skills through a variety of activities including speech contests, extra-curricular conversation classes and self-study in our CALL classrooms. The TOEIC test is offered on our campus four times per year, as well. For the benefit of our foreign language faculty, we hold workshops and lectures. In recent years these have included such things as presentations on the use of Moodle and incorporating global themes in language teaching.

CCE has also been coordinating short- and long-term programs with our partner schools around the globe for over 25 years. Some of the programs focus on sharpening foreign language skills. Our short-term Cultural Experience Programs, the first of which was held on our campus in February, 2008, serve as an opportunity to bring together students from partner schools worldwide. Additionally, programs are offered to give our students opportunities for internships abroad, for which they are granted STU credit. We hope that every STU student will make the Center for Cross-cultural Exchange a part of their college experience.

For more detailed information about the Center for Cross-cultural Exchange, see:
　 http://www.st.thomas.ac.jp/campuslife/language.html

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Partner Schools

St. Thomas University has been involved in international student exchange for over 25 years. The Center for Cross-cultural Exchange arranges a variety of programs with the following sister schools and other official affiliates:

• Loras College (Iowa, U.S.A.)
• Washington State University - Pullman campus (U.S.A.)
• Salamanca National University (Spain)
• Aquinas University (Philippines)

In addition, in April 2007, St. Thomas University, Japan, became an official member of the International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas (IC-USTA), a worldwide network of Catholic universities aspiring to the ideals of the 13th century saint and scholar, who has become the patron saint of schools and education. Current members include over 40 universities, spanning the globe. Partnerships are encouraged in such areas as faculty and student exchange, library exchange, and the creation of online courses.

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Cultural Experience Programs

St. Thomas University organizes short programs for students from partner schools to visit Japan and experience Japanese culture. The aim is to give students from overseas a taste of both traditional Japanese arts and of life as it is lived in contemporary Japan. Elements of the programs include:

• a short homestay with a Japanese family
• excursions to local places of interest (temples, anime museum, factory visits)
• chances to interact socially with Japanese students
• lectures on Japanese culture
• basic-level Japanese language lessons
• hands-on experience of traditional arts (tea ceremony, flower arranging)

The core program (described above) can be combined with a longer stay in Japan for sightseeing or relaxation.

Japan Experience Program for Aquinas Students

For further information: <stujmail@st.thomas.ac.jp>.