TOKYO—University of Texas at Arlington students participating in a summer study abroad program met with peers from Tokyo Eisei Gakuen (Tokyo Health College) and Kamakura Women’s University, forging new friendships and developing a global perspective.

Despite a language barrier, the student groups quickly found common ground, learning that smiles and laughter are universal.

“Meeting the Japanese students was a very interesting experience that gave me a lot of insight into how similar students here are compared to us as students in the USA,” UTA interpersonal communications rising junior Andrew Norton said. “I really enjoyed how the students were interested in the United States, just how I was interested in Japan. They gave me a lot of insight on Japan’s culture, activities, snacks, and many other aspects of their daily lives.”

Kamakura Women’s University associate professor David Chapman said the Japanese students found the interaction rewarding, too.

“Our students enjoyed communicating with their peers from the United States,” Chapman said. “While they sometimes meet foreigners in Yokohama and Kamakura, this program offered a unique chance for in-depth, personal conversations with American peers. This experience could lead to new opportunities for them in the future.”

Perhaps even more importantly, Chapman said, is that the exchange sparked students’ desire to improve their English-speaking skills.

“They said they had a purpose to study English and were enthusiastic about continuing to study English in the future so they can talk even more next time,” Chapman said. “Some even mentioned that even though they would be graduating in April, they wanted to come back to take part in this program again.”

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UTA students visiting with students at Kamakura Women's University.

Chapman’s Kamakura Women’s University colleague Takashi Obara said the student visit helped the students understand the value of learning English.

“I always love to see my students find the why they want to communicate, while we, the school, tend to teach only the how,” Obara said. “They are already talking about re-starting their English studies.”

UTA students also expressed a desire to develop their Japanese-language skills so they can communicate even more deeply with their new friends.

Norton said the experience is one he’ll never forget, adding that he was touched by the warmth and authenticity of the exchanges.

“It really felt that their interest in us was genuine, and I respect their enthusiasm that they had with us,” Norton said. “It meant a lot to me that they were as excited about meeting us as we were with meeting them.”

The UTA students are spending a month in Japan, with stays in Tokyo and Kyoto. Students are also scheduled to take day trips to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Nara and Osaka.

The UTA students are learning to communicate with media technology and will be working on a series of articles for Arlington Sentinel under the Postcards from Japan banner.