Kansai Gaidai University, through its extensive international network with 54 countries and regions and its unique educational programs, offers a style of learning which ushers in a new era of studying in a foreign language.
Kansai Gaidai University was founded in 1945. Noboru and Takako Tanimoto founded Tanimoto English School in Higashi-Sumiyoshi Ward in Osaka City. With the scars of defeat in the war still glaringly obvious, the co-founders took the first step in foreign language education with a strong determination to eliminate war.
Two founding principles were proudly set forth. One is to Nurturing individuals with a well-rounded education who can contribute to the international community. The second focuses on practical learning to meet the changing social needs and view the world from a fair-minded perspective.
The founder's ideas and beliefs must always underlie the principle of behavior and be respected throughout the ages while responding to the changing times.
Advanced technology has made international communications much faster and easier, making the world borderless and interdependent. Yet, many issues must be addressed and resolved on a global basis. Thus, the 21st century is the time when human intelligence will be truly tested.
It is the role of educational organizations to bring this awareness to their students and allow them to make positive contributions in this endeavor. Kansai Gaidai University, a diverse institution of higher education, is firmly committed to playing this role in fostering educational opportunities to learn about the world.
Collaborating with over 383 foreign universities in 54 countries and regions, Kansai Gaidai provides its students with many diversified educational programs to create the necessary foundation to pursue intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, and concern for others.
Discover how Kansai Gaidai University can help you prepare to meet the challenges of the 21st century and how you, in turn, can share in the Kansai Gaidai international community and contribute to building bridges to a better future for us all.
Taking part in extracurricular activities will be a good source of interaction with Japanese students. The clubs and circles at Kansai Gaidai warmly welcome the participation of international students. To name a few, athletically inclined students may join soccer, basketball, or cheerleading club. There is also a wide range of Japanese martial arts clubs such as Judo, Kendo, Karate, or Shorinji-Kempo. Surprisingly enough, some international students have even been able to speedily improve skills and earn advanced ranks within those activities' hierarchies.
Students who wish to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture may find it very attractive to explore clubs such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, flower arrangement, or Koto (the Japanese harp). An on-campus community volunteer club named "Himawari Club" may also interest you since the club organizes activities in which international students are exposed to local Japanese children/people in the university's vicinity.
In many ways, clubs in Japan play a unique role in college life, for relationships established during membership could be instrumental to success after graduation. Therefore, some clubs may take membership seriously and insist on regular attendance. Since meetings or practice sessions may be held six times a week, it is not advisable to join more than one club.
Circles, on the other hand, are different from "Clubs" in many ways. Circles are less strict and less hierarchical. Their rationale seems to be "Let's-get-together-to-have-fun." Information on clubs and circles is available at the Center for International Education. Students should be aware that clubs/circles are not usually active in February and March because of the Japanese Academic Calendar.
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