Lake County Gazette

Culture, communication and college credits filled the itineraries of nine students who traveled from Matsuyama, Japan’s Ehime University to visit the College of Lake County for a three-week educational tour recently for a continuing student-exchange program.

A quick course in English skills complemented the group’s audit of faculty presentations on politics and history, psychology and economics, the arts and the environment.

Led by biology professor Jason Cashmore, the students experienced a forest preserve, while sustainability leader David Husemoller took the group on a tour of an organic farm. Additionally, the visitors toured several Chicago landmarks, including the city’s botanical garden, Willis Tower and the Art Institute.

Ehime University and CLC have created a strong connection over the years, this group being the fifth to come stateside. CLC, in turn, has deployed representatives to Ehime since 2012. Most students were first-time visitors to the U.S. and expressed appreciation for the experience.

“I have found that Americans are kind-hearted,” humanities major Sakiho Tanioka, who plans to become a tour guide, said. “I’m excited to visit the U.S. and have an opportunity to make new friends at CLC.”

The nine guests made presentations at the end of their stay, sharing aspects of Japanese culture with their American counterparts, followed by a farewell dinner. Adjunct adult education teacher Betsy Kubota, who coordinated the expedition, highlighted the value of cultural exchange, pointing out that the U.S. and Japan share a certain geographical isolation less prevalent in other nations.

“(Having) an opportunity to visit a foreign country, see how people live, experience a college campus and visit a host family go a long way to building good international relations,” Kubota said.

Each student received two college credits for participation.