On Monday, February 3, 93 students from Tokyo International University (Kawagoe, Japan) arrived on the campus of Willamette University and Tokyo International University of America. They will be here for 10-1/2 months, participating in the American Studies Program (ASP) at Willamette University. Over 3,000 students have joined this program since 1989. 

After a week of opening days and orientation sessions, classes began Monday, Feb. 10. 

Community members can get involved with the students through the TIUA Tomodachi "friendship" Program. Through the program, participants are matched with a student or two and ask that they meet at least once per month. It's a fun to share American culture and learn about other cultures. It is not a homestay program. Learn more about it here.

The American Studies Program (ASP) begins February 3 with the arrival of 93 students.  One of the primary activities that about 50% of the students are most interested in doing is participating in the Tomodachi ("friendship") Program.  Students want to connect and befriend people in the community and share their cultures with them, as well as learning about American culture.  They will be signing up for the program in March and the need for community participants is high.

Whether you are young or old, married or single, have children or not, you have something to offer!  The students live on the Willamette University campus and they are busy with classes and campus life, so all we ask of program participants is once a month contact with your student(s) on your schedule.  It could be for dinner, an athletic event, shopping, movie night, etc. Many of the students say it takes a little of the homesickness away to spend time off campus with you!

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We are now partnering with the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation (SKEF) to hold our annual day camp about Japan and Japanese culture.