College of Asia Pacific implements first COIL–based program with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The College of Asia Pacific, a short-term overseas study and student exchange program organized by the International Student Center in Kyushu University, conducted the first collaborative online international learning (COIL) program between the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Kyushu University as a part of its program this year.

The program, which was offered as a Kikan Education General Course, was held online from March to June 2022 with students majoring in Japanese study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Associate Professor Hiroko Kinoshita at Kyushu University and Associate Professor Helena Grinshpun of the Faculty of Literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem were in charge of the program, and it provided an opportunity for the students to learn from each other and engage in intellectual exchange through lectures, group work, and discussions focusing on the differences in social structure and culture between Israel and Japan.

In the lectures, the students learned about case studies from both Japan and Israel on topics such as communication among young people, urban and regional communities, military service and university admission, immigrant acceptance, and marriage and childbirth, followed by group discussions.

After the program, students participating from Israel expressed interest in studying abroad at Kyushu University and commented that they want to meet in person with Kyushu University students who attended the lectures with them. Also, Kyushu University students remarked that it was challenging to take the lectures and discussion in English but good to improve their English and that they would like to learn more about their home country and society. 

The COIL program provided an extremely valuable opportunity for Kyushu University students to exchange opinions every week with Israeli students of the same generation but with different social and cultural backgrounds. The International Student Center will continue to contribute to improving Kyushu U students’ motivation to learn through programs like this, which provide a place to study with students from other countries while remaining in Japan.

<College of Asia Pacific>

The College of Asia Pacific (CAP) is a short-term study abroad and international education collaborative program for Japanese and international students.

Participants study with university students from the Asia Pacific region to learn about common issues in the wider Asia region through collaborative learning in the form of problem-based learning (PBL) and team-based learning (TBL). Participants learn firsthand differences in the way in which people perceive and solve problems as the program promotes intellectual exchanges among students with different cultural and social backgrounds.

With a view to studying abroad for a longer period of time in the future, students have the opportunity to join the international community and take a first step toward becoming global citizens.

College of Asia Pacific Overview: https://isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/capisc/en/

<COIL program (Collaborative Online International Learning)>

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is a new international education method that connects students in Japan and overseas using online collaboration in interactive classes, also known as COIL-form education. It is planned and conducted in cooperation with overseas universities and is conducted as online classes with student participation (discussions, group work, presentations, etc.). Since it is conducted as part of a class at both our university and the partner university, participating students will receive credit for the class from their home university.

Since this program in Kyushu University was held with HUJ as a regular course at both universities, there were no additional tuition fees, and the students from Kyushu University received 2 credits for the Kikan Education General Course, which is open to all undergraduate students.

Contact

Kyushu University College of Asia Pacific (International Affairs Department, International student exchange division)

Mail: cap-isc★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please change ★ to @ in the e-mail address.