The 2024-25 Year-in-Japan Program students successfully completed the program, and each had a memorable and valuable experience at Konan University.

We received a message from Dr. Hasegawa, the Resident Director of this year's program.

“As the AY24-25 Resident Director for the YiJ Program, I extend my warmest greetings to our entire YiJ community.

To Our Recently Completed Students: It’s been a pleasure watching you experience life in Kobe for the past year. Navigating daily life—from shopping at a konbini to chatting with friends in Kansai-ben, and even embracing the challenge of missing the last train (been there, done that!)—truly highlights the profound academic and personal development you have undergone. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Please remember to stay in touch; Konan will always be your alma mater.

To Our Host Families: I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your generosity and invaluable role in our students' study-abroad journey. Your willingness to open your homes and share your daily lives provided the authentic cultural immersion that makes the YiJ program so special. Thank you for being such an integral part of our community.

To Our Future Students: The YiJ program offers a unique experience for those eager to deepen their understanding of Japanese language, culture, and society. Our dedicated faculty and staff ensure a high-quality academic experience through Japanese language and Japan studies courses. This program is more than just a study; it's an opportunity to build lifelong friendships with globally-minded people, develop strong cross-cultural skills, and create lasting memories. We encourage you to explore our website and imagine yourself thriving in Japan.

This program truly brings people together, building an amazing community. We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you and to welcoming new members!”

Atsushi Hasegawa, Ph.D.
Resident Director, AY24-25
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa