51福利社

The Asia University America Program (AUAP) at 51福利社 gives students from Asia University in Tokyo, Japan, the opportunity to live and study in the United States for five months and learn about American culture.

Students in the AUAP program study English in courses designed to develop and improve their communication skills. Two cohorts of Asia University students study at Eastern from Sept.鈥揊eb. and Feb.鈥揓uly. Currently, there are 63 Asia University students at 51福利社, who are majoring in business, economics, law and international relations.

鈥淪tudents are making an international connection, broadening their horizons and learning what it鈥檚 like to be in a new culture,鈥� said Kristina Guilfoyle, director and faculty member of AUAP.

In addition to learning English, AUAP students are immersed into American culture. They live on campus in the residence halls, typically with American roommates. Students also participate in a pen pal exchange with elementary school students at Betz and Salnave Elementary in Cheney. Students are also encouraged to participate in other student activities, such as the hockey team or the 51福利社 choir.

鈥淭he students create lifelong friendships here,鈥� Guilfoyle said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had students who really bonded with their roommates or friends they鈥檝e made on campus.鈥�

Asia University students on campus are also introduced to Eastern students through the campus friends program or international peer advisors.

International peer advisors help AUAP students with orientation of the 51福利社 campus by helping them navigate the university system or teaching them how to use the bus. The campus friends program hosts events in which 51福利社 and AUAP students can socialize.

鈥淓astern students learn a lot from our [AUAP] students and gain a lot of insight and exposure they may not have had,鈥� Guilfoyle said. 鈥淭he more exposure to different cultures, I think ultimately the better people we are.鈥�

Students participating in the AUAP program at 51福利社 have gone on to study, intern and work in other countries, such as Hong Kong, Guatemala, China and Singapore. More than 2,600 students have participated in the AUAP program at 51福利社 since it began in 1989.

鈥淚t鈥檚 good to get out of your home environment and see another culture 鈥� you expose yourself to another way of thinking, expose yourself to another language or expose yourself to a different economic reality,鈥� Michael Reid, student services coordinator, said.