Hundreds of students and staff gathered during the lunch hour today to help clean up the NIU campus and surrounding area. Held once per semester, the event helps make our beautiful campus even nicer. Thanks to everyone who volunteered!
November 2015 | Celebrating 70 Years of Kyushu Bunka Gakuen
Nagasaki International University's parent company, Kyushu Bunka Gakuen, celebrated its 70th anniversary this past week. The event was commemorated at Arkas, the main concert hall in Sasebo.
We were joined by dignitaries including the mayors of Sasebo and local townships, the governor of Nagasaki as well as members of the national assembly and the Ministry of Education, Technology and Sport. A special guest lecture was given by Satoshi Kusano, a Nagaski native who has had a decorated career as a national newscaster and television personality.
Founded in 1945 by Yoshio Abe, Kyushu Bunka Gakuen began as a women's vocational college. Since then, it has grown to encompass Nagasaki International University, Nagasaki Junior College, and Kyushu Bunka Gakuen High School among several other schools and institutions.
November 2015 | NIU 6th Annual Foreign Language Recitation Contest
Nagasaki International University held its 6th annual Foreign Language Recitation Contest for senior high school students on November 1, 2015. A total of 31 students competed in categories for English, Chinese and Korean.
Congratulations to the students who worked so hard to compete, as well as to the many teachers and parents who supported them. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.
Fall 2015 | NIU and Princeton Begin Virtual Exchange Project
Students in the Global Tourism course at Nagasaki International University will begin a virtual exchange project with students studying Japanese at Princeton University during the fall semester.
Students from both universities will be put in groups and share their ideas in both English and Japanese via online forums and videos. Much of the focus will be on learning from each other, sharing ideas, and critical thinking.
September 2015 | Welcome Home English Summer Students
Welcome home GT students from your 1 month summer English program at St. Dominic College of Asia in the Philippines!
NIU GT students were accompanied on their return trip by the President and Vice-president of St. Dominic College. NIU was proud to welcome these esteemed guests to our campus on the following day during which time they met with President Naoki Abe and the Head of the International Center Dr. Katsuhiko Kimura.
July 28, 2015 | Welcome Arkansas Tech University
We were delighted to welcome to our campus Mr. Yasu Onodera from Arkansas Tech University on July 28, 2015. Mr. Onodera and NIU Global Tourism Students
NIU and Arkansas Tech became exchange partners last year and completed final preparations for our initial exchange of students to commence in a mere two weeks. NIU students will study in Arkansas for one semester this fall. NIU is also eagerly awaiting students from Arkansas to study with us in the near future;
Mr. Onodera was gracious enough to conduct a pre-departure orientation with the five NIU students who will go on exchange. Staff from both universities also discussed ways to further deepen cooperation between both universities.
July 2015 | GT Students Heading for Study Abroad
2nd year GT students are eagerly awaiting their study abroad to the USA, UK, and Philippines for one semester.
What better way to wish our students luck than with a pizza party!
After returning from their semester abroad, students will begin taking tourism classes in English at NIU, such as hotel management and tourism marketing.
First year GT students are also getting ready for their 1 month English study abroad in the Philippines at St. Dominic College of Asia. While there, students will take a mix of English classes and have a chance to integrate with classes in the Hospitality program. In their free time, students will have a chance to relax at the swimming pool of their guest house. Weekends will include field trips to locations around the Philippines to experience the history and culture of the country.
June 17, 2015 | Welcome KCC Hawaii
The Global Tourism Course welcomed special guests from
, Hawaii to our campus on June 17, 2015.
Dr. Leon Richards
Chancellor, Kapi'olani Community College
We were joined by Chancellor Dr. Leon Richards and Mr. Takashi Brandon Miyaki of the Honda International Center.
A longtime friend of NIU, Dr. Richards began with a brief lesson in Hawaiian and Hawaiian culture. Following this, Mr. Miyaki explained the study abroad options open to NIU students in Hawaii. Students with EIKEN level Pre-2 can take the English language program, while students with level 2 can enrol in the Hospitality program.
May 2015 | GT Teachers Earn NIU Best Teacher Awards
Congratulations to John Patrick Owatari-Dorgan and Thom W. Rawson for winning the Nagasaki International University Best Teacher awards for the 2014 school year.
Pat won the award for the spring semester while Thom won the award for the fall semester in the Practical Class Category. The award is based on student course evaluations across all four departments at NIU.
23 May 2015 | Reach for the Stars - Go Global | Gina Whittle
Gina Whittle joined us from the Gina & Partners to present at the 2015 Global Leadership Forum.
Gina is the Managing Director (President) of Gina & Partners. The title of Gina's speech was “Reach For the Stars.”
She began by asking students to imagine themselves in 5 years. "In my future, I want to…" students made sentences.
She talked about her upbringing and her background. She gave key points about her country.
Abundant nature
English speaking
Multi-cultural
Clean environment
Friendly people
A great role model for GT students
She continued her background story. She did modeling in Aukland. She showed us some of her photos and previous experiences in Japan.
A key point of her talk: one language is not enough. She came to Japan 3 times, once for a year, the second time for a year, and 16 years in the last visit. She described her experiences as a language teacher in Japan moving from a big city to a small town.
She explained her inspiration to become a company owner - she read “Rich Dad/Poor Dad.” She has started two companies - "New Zealand Life Tours" and "Gina & Partners”
She described the declining travel industry and the increase in online self-managed travel planning trends. She also described the experience of forming her own business.
She talked about setting a goal and making a flexible plan to achieve that goal. She used a combination of English and Japanese to encourage the students.
She covered and old Chinese saying:
I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand
Then she covered some main things to do to increase your Global Abilities
Do something practical - be active in your efforts.
Challenge yourself - go out of your comfort zone.
Communication skills - the importance of the skills.
Influence - If you are a good communicator, you influence people. However, without that your idea will wither
Use technology - let it help simplify your life.
Invest in yourself - get skills and education.
Balance yourself
Eat healthy
She recommends the book “Miracle Morning” for guidance on how to start your day. Spend the first hour of the morning on you.
The forum concluded with an engaging Q & A, with students discussing the points that stood out to them most and asking follow up questions for Gina.
May 2015 | GT Students Average 155 TOEIC Increase in 13 Months
This month, the first cohort of Global Tourism students took the
test for the 4th time since joining the program in April 2014. Students' average TOEIC score, as measured by the CASEC, has increased 155 points after two semesters. We are proud of the hard work our students have invested in themselves and the results they are achieving.
GT Students Continue to Improve
The Global Tourism course at Nagasaki International University has a stated aim of increasing students' TOEIC scores by 50 points per semester.
2015 January 24 | Becoming a Global Citizen | Luc Roberge
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| Luc Roberge Presenting on how to be a Global Citizen |
He covered topics popularized by H. Jackson Brown Jr. from his work Life's Little Instruction Book. Using excerpts from Brown's philosophies, he helped the students find important things for the betterment of themselves and for their growth in becoming Global Citizens.
Students worked in pairs to discuss each of Brown's philosophical viewpoints and came up with the topic which they felt was the most important to them.
Some of Brown's philosophies (credit, H. Jackson Brown Jr.):
1) Compliment three people every day.
2) Have a firm handshake.
3) Look people in the eye.
4) Say "Thank you" a lot.
5) Say "Please" a lot.
6) Learn to play a musical instrument.
7) Be the first to say, "Hello."
8) Be forgiving of yourself and others.
9) If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
10) Return all things you borrow.
11) Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
12) Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
13) Keep secrets.
14) Write "thank you" notes promptly.
15) Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.
16) Show respect for teachers.
17) Keep a tight rein on your temper.
18) Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19) Admit your mistakes.
20) Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
21) Hug children after you discipline them.
22) Forget the Joneses.
23) Don't smoke.
24) Make it a habit to do nice things for people who'll never find out.
25) Refrain from envy. It is the source of much happiness.
26) Never cheat.
27) Smile a lot. It costs nothing and is beyond price.
28) Remember people's name.
29) Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.
30) Keep your watch five minutes fast.
31) Be tough minded but tenderhearted.
32) Avoid negative people.
33) Never take action when you're angry.
34) Set short-term and long-term goals.
35) When complimented, a sincere "thank you" is the only response required.
36) Be a good loser. (winner)
37) Don't major minor things.
38) Keep your promises.
39) Seek out the good in people.
40) Evaluate yourself by your own standards, not someone else's.
41) Never overestimate your power to change others.
42) Keep expectations high.
43) Take care of your reputations. It is your most valuable asset.
44) Be there when people need you.
45) Don't expect life to be fair.
46) Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
47) Be a self-starter.
48) When attending meetings, sit down front.
49) Be enthusiastic about the success of others.
50) Laugh a lot. A good sense of humor cures almost all life's ills.
51) Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know."
52) Don't be afraid to say, "I need help. I'm sorry."
53) Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities.
54) Don't make the same mistake twice.
55) Save ten percent of what you earn.
56) Be open to new ideas.
57) Remain open, flexible, curious.
58) Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness or misery.
59) Send your loved one flowers. Think of a reason later.
60) Become someone's hero.
61) Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
62) Patronize local merchants even if it costs a bit more.
63) Arrive at work early and stay beyond quitting time.