The friendly campus environment offers endless opportunities
for socializing with Japanese students
for socializing with Japanese students
Exchange programs with Konan students
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Tomodachi Program
The Tomodachi Program matches 1 or 2 Konan student volunteers with students who have been accepted to the YiJ Program or the Summer Intensive Program. The tomodachi from Konan will email international students before they arrive to introduce themselves and provide pre-departure support. Students will meet their Konan tomodachi during orientation week.
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Clubs and Circles
There are many student-organized clubs focused on sports and cultural themes as well as student activity circles on campus. Joining a club or circle is a good way to make friends with Japanese students. Belonging to a group and becoming involved in the student community enriches the overall study abroad experience.
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Language Partner
The Language Partner program is an ideal opportunity for students to meet one-to-one and help each other practice the language they are studying while learning about each other’s culture. KIEC matches participants of the YiJ Program with a Konan student, and the partners meet at their own convenience.
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Ajisai Events
Experiential cultural activities such as Tanabata (the Star Festival), shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and sado (Japanese tea ceremony) are periodically held throughout the year for Japanese and international students to participate in and enjoy together.
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Ajitomo Program
The Ajitomo Program focuses on exchange students from Asian countries. Konan students provide campus tours after arrival in Japan along with ongoing support while adjusting to daily life in Japan.
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Manatomo Program
In our Manatomo Program, Konan students join Japanese language classes as assistants. These Manatomo volunteers participate in classes for international students in order to help with their Japanese language studies. They mainly act as conversation practice partners and help guide discussions.
Global Zone Porte
Global Zone “Porte”, the university’s main facility for intercultural exchange, is a meeting place for globally-minded students from inside and outside of Japan. This facility combines three distinct areas that complement each other and promote international exchange.
The “Ajisai Room” area is a place where international students gather and enjoy the company of other students between and after classes. Konan students are encouraged to communicate in Japanese while they are in the Ajisai Room in order to help our international students to continuously improve their target language ability in everyday situations.
An adjacent area known as “KOMAN language LOFT” is where Konan students go to improve their English and cross-cultural communication skills. Students who want to experience an intercultural atmosphere and be part of our global community on campus are always welcome to take part in activities and events that offer opportunities for meeting and making friends with peers from around the world.
The third area, our Global Learning Commons, is an open space with an inviting outdoor terrace where students gather to study, chat, or just soak in the atmosphere of our international hub on campus.
A great motivator for language improvement, the friendships made through experiences at our Global Zone add to the overall study abroad experience for our international students by providing unique and unforgettable memories as well as invaluable insights into the Japanese lifestyle.
iCommons
One of the most prominent buildings on the main campus is known as Konan Infinity Commons (commonly referred to as iCommons), and it serves as the true center of student activity at Konan. Students gather here in order to participate in all sorts of student-led organizations, as iCommons houses everything from self-government facilities to the offices from which our broad range of student clubs are managed. The main entrance of iCommons opens onto a large and welcoming atrium space in which special cultural and educational events are frequently held. Many dining options are available in iCommons as well, as it hosts the university’s main cafeteria, a convenience store where a quick bite is always available, and a more subdued café.
Other facilities for students include a fitness room, project rooms, a kitchen studio, a ceramic art studio, and a number of other multipurpose spaces which collectively cater to the potential growth of each individual enrolled at Konan. Student-centered services, such as Konan’s Career Center, Student Support Center, and Health Center are also housed in iCommons. Finally, plenty of study areas and lounge spaces scattered about the upper floors of iCommons offer inspiring views overlooking the campus, the nearby sea, the mountains directly behind the university, and downtown Kobe in the distance.
