English Language and American Studies Program

• Students enroll in English language and liberal arts courses, with college credits transferable back to their home universities.
• The program includes diverse subjects such as sociology, politics, economics, environmental studies, and history.
• Participants gain cross-cultural awareness and skills valued in global careers.

Language Proficiency

• Rigorous coursework to enhance English fluency, including listening comprehension, group discussions, presentations, reading, and academic writing.
• Support from computer labs, the Kaneko Learning Center, and personal tutoring sessions.

Elective Courses

• Students take elective courses in specific disciplines, coordinated with Applied English courses to improve both language skills and subject matter understanding.
• Eligible students can enroll in regular Willamette University courses for credit.

Personalized Learning

• Individual attention from qualified faculty to enhance learning in a cross-cultural environment.
• Engagement in co-curricular activities to apply academic skills in practical settings.

Integration with Willamette University

• ASP students are fully integrated into the Willamette community, accessing all university facilities and services.
• Participation in Student Scholarship Recognition Day (SSRD) to showcase their learning and research.

Peer Support

• The Academic Peer Tutor Program provides Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) who assist ASP students with assignments and offer guidance.
• Tutors work closely with faculty to create a supportive learning environment.

Life in Salem

• Salem, Oregon, offers a vibrant community with easy access to outdoor activities like camping, skiing, and hiking.
• Students live on campus and can engage in community programs like Tomodachi Bearcat Connect and various service-learning activities.

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Access to Willamette's athletic facilities, including gymnasiums, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and sports fields.
• Opportunities for travel during vacation periods to explore the United States.

• In 1965, Japanese educator Taizo Kaneko wrote to 50 U.S. colleges and universities, offering to send students from his newly founded university to study in America.
• Of the 35 responses he received, only Willamette University's President G. Herbert Smith offered an unconditional and immediate acceptance.
• This led to the birth of a mutually enriching relationship between Tokyo International University (TIU) and Willamette University (WU).
• After more than two decades of successful exchange programs, the partnership was further strengthened by the establishment of Tokyo International University of America and the American Studies Program (ASP) in Salem, Oregon.
• In 2020, the ASP was indefinitely suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In Spring 2023, Willamette University welcomed ASP students from TIU back onto campus.
• The American Studies Program showcases the strong commitment of TIU and Willamette University to their partnership and to encouraging their students to explore and question the world around them.

Revised June 2023

The American Studies Program (ASP) at Willamette University is dedicated to providing a transformative international educational experience for students from our official partner university in Japan. Our mission is to foster cultural exchange, promote language proficiency, and deepen students’ understanding of American society and its diverse cultural heritage.

To achieve our mission, ASP offers immersive academic coursework, engaging co-curricular activities, and meaningful interactions with faculty, staff, and the broader campus and local communities. We believe in empowering students to be active global citizens with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to navigate the complexities of our modern world. 

Our mission is guided by the following five core values:

• Academic Excellence: We offer rigorous academic courses that promote critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning through a curriculum that provides a broad foundation of American history, literature, society, and culture. We value and encourage intellectual curiosity, creativity, and active student engagement. 
• Cultural Immersion: Our students are immersed in intercultural experiential learning that allows them to fully engage in American campus life. Through living in campus housing, participating in extracurricular activities, and interacting with domestic students, ASP participants develop a deep appreciation for American culture while sharing their own unique perspectives.
• Language Proficiency: We prioritize the development of English language proficiency by providing opportunities to practice the language in both academic and social contexts. We seek to advance students' linguistic abilities by enabling effective communication and facilitating intercultural exchange through data-driven instructional approaches and pedagogical strategies for teaching English as a second language.
• Intercultural Competence: We foster intercultural understanding, respect, and empathy through dialogue, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage students to embrace cultural differences, challenge preconceptions, and cultivate the skills needed to navigate diverse global environments.
• Personal Growth and Global Citizenship: In line with the University’s mission to turn knowledge into action and lead lives of achievement, contribution, and meaning, we support students' personal growth, leadership development, and global citizenship. ASP encourages participants to explore their own identities, engage in community service, and become active contributors to society, equipped with the knowledge and skills to address local and global challenges.