With the goal of eventually welcoming more University of Illinois students to its campus in Japan, a delegation from Kyushu University visited the Urbana-Champaign campus in late March. 

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Office of International Programs hosted three faculty from Kyushu and organized a robust schedule for the delegates to tour campus facilities and meet with colleagues who share their research interests.

The Kyushu delegation also hosted an informational session for students. Study abroad programs in Kyushu are an affordable option which offer complementary programs to ACES coursework, such as experience with Japanese culture and aquaculture.

“In light of this recent visit and the opportunities presented, we hope to increase our ties to Kyushu, including summer quarter opportunities and shorter-term exchange programs, for example two weeks. Our office is working with ACES Education Abroad and other campus international staff to see if this could happen,” said Lauren Karplus, assistant director of international programs in ACES.

Kyushu University, one of Japan’s seven national universities, is located in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu—the most southwestern of Japan’s four main islands. Kyushu University’s multiple campuses—home to around 19,000 students and 8000 faculty and staff—are located around Fukuoka City, a coastal metropolis that is frequently ranked among the world's most livable cities and historically known as Japan's gateway to Asia.