3. Expansion of International Learning and Multicultural Collaborative Learning

Since AY 2022, Ritsumeikan University’s globalization efforts have shifted from the stage of launching new systems and initiatives to the stage of integrating them into the learning and daily lives of each and every student. With travel and international exchange — which had been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic — now back to normal, many students are now able to study abroad and participate in learning experiences in multicultural environments.

During this time, the university has advanced initiatives such as study abroad programs, overseas internships, PBL, fieldwork, and multicultural joint courses. In addition to long-term study abroad and exchange programs, a wide range of options, including short-term programs, is now available, creating an environment where students can experience studying abroad in a way that suits them, depending on the duration and content of the program.

There is also a growing range of international learning opportunities on campus. Centered around Beyond Borders Plaza (BBP), a global commons, we have organized events and other activities that provide opportunities for multicultural learning, thereby increasing the chances for Japanese and international students to meet, interact, and learn together on a daily basis. In this way, we are steadily creating an environment where students can learn while engaging with different cultures and values, both inside and outside the classroom. These everyday interactions not only deepen mutual understanding but also provide opportunities for learning that encourage students to reflect on their own ideas and explore questions more deeply.

In addition, as part of our framework to support students in pursuing opportunities abroad, we have been developing overseas bases and working to create an environment where students can deepen multicultural exchange, including international dormitories on campus. As a result, the campus has become steadily more international, with greater opportunities to study abroad and to engage with the global community right on campus.

In this way, the university’s globalization is evolving from “international experiences as special opportunities” to “experiences of engaging with the world as part of everyday learning.” However, questions such as how to effectively integrate opportunities like study abroad, classes, exchanges through the BBP program, international dormitories, and multicultural joint study into students’ own learning and personal growth remain issues requiring further consideration.