Cornell Student Ambassadors Program
Aoyama Gakuin Women’s Junior College - Tokyo, Japan
November 2016-2017- Term 3
We are very pleased to announce that Aoyama Gakuin has invited five female Cornell students to
visit its campus during Term 3 of the 2016-17 academic year for a 9 or 10-day cultural exchange.
Aoyama Gakuin is a historic women’s junior college located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan.
Students there typically take courses in the humanities, fine arts, languages, and social sciences.
You can find more information about Aoyama Gakuin at: http://www.luce.aoyama.ac.jp/english/
• Housing, cultural events, and food will be provided by Aoyama Gakuin.
• Cornell students will live in an Aoyama Gakuin dormitory with Japanese students and
must be willing to abide by set curfews and cultural traditions.
• Participants will pay the cost of their airline ticket. In addition, Cornell students will be
responsible for personal expenses (including snacks, passport fees, and souvenirs) and
some meals. Cornell Professor Aparna Thomas will be traveling with the group.
Cornell students will register for an independent study project that term (with a Cornell professor
as their supervisor, following standard procedures for approval of an individual project contract).
We expect all participants to take part in pre-departure activities, to study selected articles related
to Japan over the summer, and to demonstrate a willingness to engage in a different culture, an
excitement for learning, and the ability to represent Cornell College and the values of a liberal arts
education with poise, warmth, and accuracy.
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
1. Knowledge of or significant interest in Japanese culture
2. Active involvement in campus life
3. A research interest in multicultural issues or some particular aspect of the host country
4. A willingness to provide a presentation to the Cornell community sometime during the
year following the visit
5. Sophomore or junior standing (in 2016-17)
6. A strong record of academic performance (a GPA of at least 3.3)
7. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
To apply to participate in this cultural exchange opportunity, a letter of application and a faculty
recommendation letter must be received by April 1st, 2016.
• Letters of application should address criteria 1-4 above in a clear and thoughtful manner.
Please also note any courses you have taken that may be relevant.
• Please send your letter of application and arrange for the faculty recommendation to be
sent to Stephanie Nomura (snomura@cornellcollege.edu), Second Floor of Old Sem.
After your application has been submitted, you will be contacted regarding an interview time with
Professor Aparna Thomas, Professor Ben Greenstein, and Ms. Stephanie Nomura. Interviews will
be conducted in early April and selection of student participants will be made during Term 8.
Last Revised: March 1, 2016