Oklahoma Christian University and Ibaraki Christian University explore new depths with a new dual degree program that allows students to attain an undergraduate degree across the ocean at both institutions.
Oklahoma Christian and Ibaraki Christian celebrated their 40th year of continued mutual exchange of students and faculty this past November. This partnership is one of the longest lasting programs between any two universities in the United Sates and Japan.
“I believe God wants us to live in the world but not be of the world,” President John deSteiguer said. “That’s one of the reasons why for decades Oklahoma Christian has wanted our students to go throughout the world and has wanted students from around the world to come here… Lives have been changed and 40 years is just the beginning.”
The relationship between Oklahoma Christian and Ibaraki Christian began in 1974, when former Oklahoma Christian administrator Howard Norton and former Oklahoma Christian President James Baird had the idea to send Oklahoma Christian students as exchange students to Japan to study the Japanese language and culture.
“We are indebted to the founders of the program for their vision and for their hard work to make it a reality,” John Osborne, Oklahoma Christian director of international programs, said to the Tuesday chapel audience. “May this 21st century be one of greater understanding and cooperation, and may peace and understanding be fostered between all peoples and nations of the world.”
Some students, who have previously visited Japan, said they can already see the benefits of the new dual degree program.
“You learn so much from being in another culture,” senior Rachel Allen said. “You grow so much when you are anywhere that is not in your comfort zone. You are going to learn more about yourself and you will also grow closer with God when you are over there. It’s just an amazing experience.”
Ibaraki Christian brought a delegation with them on this trip to Oklahoma Christian, including President Hiroshi Shoji, Chancellor Jim Batten, Dean of International Programs Toshikatsu Yamanaka and Director of Administration Takako Tetsuka. They also arrived with five Ibaraki Christian students who will be living at Oklahoma Christian for a month as a short-term exchange program.
“I think the month that the IC students are here really is not enough time [to create relationships],” sophomore Jacky Shan said. “Two years [for the degree program] is a really good amount of time to really get your feet planted.”
Administration and faculty said the dual degree program will be the best option for both schools to benefit from each other.
“It is a great next step in our 40 year relationship,” Greg Gillham, Oklahoma Christian international admissions counselor, said. “This is strengthening the relationship even more by providing students a way to get a degree from both universities… It is a great achievement and an opportunity for [students] to learn cross-cultural communication and other skills that they may have not had if they just went to school in [their home country].”
The dual degree program creates more opportunities for students’ future plans, according to Yamanaka.
“We have been working for so many years to start this program,” Yamanaka said. “It will be mutual for us to send students who want to learn English and study the American culture in the United States. Also, getting two degrees from two universities is a wonderful opportunity for students to help in future careers.”
Since the first exchange between schools, there have been numerous lives changed through the program.
“Both Oklahoma Christian and Ibaraki Christian are based on the education principle of Christianity,” Shoji said. “Love your neighbor is one of the most precious principles. Even though there is the Pacific Ocean between us and it takes nearly one day for one of us to visit the other, I am 100 percent sure we have been neighbors for 40 years and it will not change forever.”
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