GREENEVILLE – Japanese students could be a part of everyday campus life at Tusculum University, as plans are underway starting with the development of an annual three-week study program designed to improve Japanese high school English skills as well as well gain an understanding of the collegiate experience as potential future undergraduate students.
Guests from Japan and Tusculum representatives pose for a photo at the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. Left to right are Dr. Scott Hummel, Dr. David Cook, Carrie Maggert, Zack Kassebaum, Daryoosh Matsudaira, Kimberly Cordial, Shinichiro Yamamoto, Jill Oberfeitinger, Kim Collins and Chuck Sutton.
Daryoosh Matsudaira, the principal, and Shinichiro Yamamoto, the director of the English course, at Kanto International Senior High School in Tokyo, Japan, recently visited the campus to learn more about Tusculum and to finalize the program.
“We were delighted to host Shinichiro and Daryoosh on our historic and beautiful campus,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “We are excited about the partnership enriching the lives of Japanese students as well as our own students by helping them to learn more about each other, our region and our nations. This partnership will provide an excellent active and experiential learning opportunity.”
Tusculum University and Kanto are crafting an arrangement for this cultural and linguistic program that would bring 30-50 students at a time from the high school to Tusculum. The university and high school envision the first group coming to Tusculum in the fall of 2026.
Tusculum expects and welcomes many of the Kanto high school students to return as full-time students at the university to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
“Our visit to Tusculum was filled with generosity, shared values and a strong sense of community,” Matsudaira said. “We are excited about walking alongside Tusculum as partners in education and helping our students grow through this meaningful opportunity.”
When the Japanese students come to Tusculum, their visit will be comprehensive. They will attend classes with Tusculum students, live in one of the residence halls and eat in the university’s cafeteria. They will experience other aspects of campus life, such as attending athletic games on campus and enjoying downtime in The Pioneer Perk, the student hangout. The high school students will also spend time in local schools.
During their visit to Tusculum, Yamamoto and Matsudaira met with many Tusculum leaders, who will make the time on campus for Japanese students as fruitful as possible.
In addition to learning all about East Tennessee, the Japanese students will be able to further refine their English speaking skills. Dr. Hummel remembers how he became much more proficient at speaking Hebrew when he studied for a year at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
The Japanese guests had an opportunity to see the Thomas J. Garland Library. Left to right are Shinichiro Yamamoto, Dr. Scott Hummel, Carrie Maggert, Chad Grindstaff, Dr. David Cook and Daryoosh Matsudaira.
Tusculum leaders gave their Japanese guests a tour of campus. Left to right are Robert Williams, Tusculum’s track and field head coach; Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Hummel; Daryoosh Matsudaira, principal of Kanto International Senior High School; and Shinichiro Yamamoto, director of the English course at Kanto.
“Nothing improves language like being immersed in it,” Dr. Hummel said. “We are thrilled to provide the avenue for these students to grow in their ability to speak English and for us to learn more about the Japanese way of life.”
Dr. Hummel believes the program will pair Tusculum students with some of the Japanese students to facilitate cultural growth on both sides.
Many Japanese students have enrolled at Tusculum, as have others from additional countries around the world, over the years. Dr. Hummel said that should enhance the comfort level for Japanese students.
“I am proud that students from more than 30 countries have chosen to study at Tusculum University,” Dr. Hummel said. “They strengthen our Tusculum experience and equip all of our students to be more culturally competent.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.