Keio Study Abroad Fair 2017 Postscript

The Keio Study Abroad Fair 2017 hosted by the Keio International Center was held at the Hiyoshi Communication Lounge located on the first basement floor of the Fourth Building Independence Wing on Hiyoshi Campus from June 6 (Tue.) to June 9 (Fri.), 2017.

This annual fair plays an important role in encouraging students to study abroad by providing information about the many opportunities available. The fair familiarizes students with the idea of studying overseas and allows them to start making plans early on in their university careers. In the past, this event has proven to be a great opportunity for students to get first-hand information about studying abroad.

Approximately 1,800 students came to the Hiyoshi Communication Lounge over the four days. They embraced the opportunity to visit the various exhibition booths, which featured foreign embassies and external study abroad agents, as well as the Individual Consultation Corner to seek advice from people at the International Center and other faculty and staff members. Seminar sessions were also held by representatives of the participating booths. Here, students could obtain specific information about the opportunities that are available in various countries, the Keio University Student Exchange Program, other study abroad programs, language tests (TOEFL, IELTS), financial aid, and scholarships.

Every year, we also invite our partner universities from overseas to attend the fair, and this time HEC Paris and École Centrale de Nantes (ECN) came to promote their respective study abroad programs. For those planning to study at HEC Paris and ECN, it was an excellent opportunity to obtain information on both universities, as well as to learn more about the education system and recent study environment in France. At the Conversation Corner, study abroad returnees were available to answer questions on the study abroad and exchange programs, as well as to discuss their personal experiences. There were also international students from partner universities currently studying at Keio. They chatted with Keio students eager to communicate in English and to learn more about other countries and cultures. The fair attracted many visitors in addition to students, including parents, faculty members, and Keio high school students, and ended on a highly successful note.

In conjunction with the fair, the Global Career Forum was held in room D202 of the Fourth Building Independence Wing on June 7th. In the first session, a representative of the human resources department of a global corporation gave a lecture entitled “The Current State of Study Abroad and Employment.” The second session, “Career Guidance—Work in United Nations,” was led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This included a lecture by a representative of the Ministry's Recruitment Center for International Organizations, who gave a talk on a roadmap for seeking a position in an international organization, and a United Nations (UN) staff member, Ms. Tomoko Ishihara, who gave a lecture on the UNCHR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) program she is currently engaged in as an Associate Regional Protection Officer. This career guidance session was aimed at students interested in working for the UN and many questions were asked by the 200 attendees at the end, demonstrating the high level of interest.

See Study Abroad Fair 2017 site Here!