AIU Global Communication Practices - GCP 国際教養大学 専門職大学院 発信力実践領域

02/04/2025

Student (soon to be alumnus) Focus: Sydney Huang (Taiwan)

Hello, I am Sydney. During my time in the GCP program, I explored various aspects of communication, including journalism, marketing, and hands-on projects. It was not just about learning theories in the classroom but also about gaining practical experience through real-world applications. Being in a diverse, multicultural environment allowed me to engage with classmates from different backgrounds, enriching both my academic and personal growth.

Moving forward, I will be joining an advertising company in Okinawa as a Digital Marketing Planner for the Taiwan market. With the increasing number of Taiwanese travelers visiting Okinawa, my work will focus on creating informative and engaging travel content tailored specifically for Taiwanese audiences. By leveraging my cultural background, sharpened through my graduate education, I aim to bridge the gap between Okinawa and Taiwan.

24/03/2025

Following up on our previous post on the student presentation (based on a business communication course), so why do nearly 100% of the college students find a job upon graduation in Japan?

The most immediate reason is that the young population is shrinking and Japanese corporations cannot find enough people to hire. Next, a deeply engrained Japanese corporate culture, reflecting the structure of the employment market, calls for the employers to hire people in massive numbers straight from university, train them and turn them into productive workforce. Midcareer hiring has historically been less common (though it has become more prevalent in recent years).

College students are hired without any specific qualifications. Instead, they are typically hired based on their potential and communication skills. It also helps if you graduated from a top-ranked university in Japan. The job placement rate for college students has rarely dipped below 90%, even during economic recessions.

With the added factor of a labor shortage and a limited pool of Japanese youth, even prestigious employers like Toyota Motors are increasingly reaching out to international students for recruitment. However, once you enter a Japanese university or graduate school to pursue a career in Japan, you must have strong Japanese language skills, familiarity with Japanese etiquette & culture and communication style.

At GCP, we maintain a strong career-oriented approach. To the right (below) photos capture the on campus event where GCP students provide a training session to undergraduate students on how to do job search, Japanese style, teaching what they practice.

02/03/2025

GCP students held their annual Shukatsu (college job hunting) seminar and presentation for international students interested in pursuing careers at Japan Inc. Focusing on “communicative activities,” the students delivered presentations on topics such as what to wear, how to bow, and tips for excelling in job interviews. (Hint: bowing might not be what you think!) The session also covered the recruiting schedule—which starts early—as well as guidance on writing your “entry sheet.” By demystifying the process, we aim to support non-Japanese students in navigating the Japanese job market, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented boom. (Did you know? 98% of Japanese university students secure full-time jobs in Japan.) GCPers are engaged in a job search themselves.

国際教養大学 AIUの公式サイト。学部・大学院や図書館等の総合案内、また入試情報・学生生活・就職支援・地域貢献などの情報を掲載しています。

04/01/2025

Student Focus: Michael Wolfe (USA) Photo by Sydney Huang

Hello, my name is Michael Wolfe and I am a first-year student in the GCP program. I originally studied abroad at AIU during my undergrad at Mississippi State University in 2022 and loved the school so much I wanted to enroll in the GCP program. I love interacting with my fellow graduate students, as I get to grow deeper connections but also develop a stronger perspective of the world around me and learn about their cultures. Through the program so far, I have been able to learn about a multitude of career paths as well as building the skills needed to be prepared and succeed in my future career goals.

At GCP, we maintain a strong career-oriented approach. To the right (below) photos capture the on campus event where GCP students provide a training session to undergraduate students on how to do job search, Japanese style, teaching what they practice.

30/12/2024

Sayaka Suzuki (Yamanashi, Japan) Photo by Sydney Huang

Hello, I’m Sayaka Suzuki, a second-year student in the GCP program. I am originally from Yamanashi Prefecture and grew up surrounded by its rich nature and vibrant local culture. While cherishing the uniqueness of my hometown, I have also aspired to contribute globally by addressing challenges beyond my community. This ambition inspired me to develop an interest in international public relations and digital marketing, which ultimately led me to join the GCP program.

In GCP, I have gained fresh perspectives and inspiration by interacting with classmates from diverse cultural backgrounds. The classes not only deepen my expertise but also connect theory to real-world issues, sharpening my awareness of social trends. Moreover, working on presentations and assignments in English has further enhanced both my language proficiency and my ability to communicate effectively across cultures.

Currently, I am job hunting, with the aim of utilizing the skills I’ve cultivated in GCP to contribute as a bridge between my local community in Yamanashi and the world. GCP has provided me with a solid foundation to pursue and realize this goal.

29/12/2024

Student Focus: Phyu Thant Khant (Myanmar)

Hello, my name is Phyu Thant Khant. I am a first-year student in the GCP program. My studies focus on organizational communication, public relations, and interpreting- fields I chose because of my deep interest in communication and its impact in multicultural settings.

I chose GCP for its exceptional multicultural environment and practical approach to learning. GCP allows me to interact with peers and faculty from diverse cultural backgrounds. These interactions have broadened my worldview, sharpened my communication skills, and taught me the value of empathy and collaboration.

Being the only Burmese student on campus, I navigate daily life using English in the classroom and Japanese outside, which has significantly strengthened my language skills and cultural adaptability. I am currently job hunting and look forward to applying the skills I have learned in the GCP program. My goal is to leverage the knowledge and experience I have gained to contribute to Japanese companies in a meaningful way.

26/08/2024

Featured Alumnus: Clarence Rowan (The Philippines)

During my time as a GCP student, I gained a deeper understanding of the different aspects of communication through classroom discussions that explored theories and their application in real-life situations, along with the interactions I've had with my peers in the program. The fact that we come from various cultural backgrounds with different perspectives (and opinions) has further enriched our discussions and deepened our knowledge of various subjects. After graduating last March, I started working as a Marketing Officer for Setsu Niseko, a luxury hotel in one of Japan's best ski resorts, Niseko. The versatile skill set I acquired during my time in GCP has not only helped me thrive in my professional life but also navigate smoothly through the intricacies of being a part of Niseko's diverse international community - very much like AIU's.

01/08/2024

Student Focus: Guillermo Navajas (Spain)

Hello, I am Guillermo Navajas, second-year student in the GCP graduate program. I joined GCP to gain a deeper understanding of the communication field and develop skills useful in a professional environment, such as Public Relations practices, intercultural communication and/or Japanese business culture. Moreover, I was able to learn about the intricacies of the Japanese job-hunting system, something totally unknown to a foreigner like me. Thanks to the support of both teachers and classmates, I managed to get a job offer from JR Shikoku, where I aim to use the communication skills that I earned through GCP and hope to help promote the company overseas. Photos – Sydney Huang

At GCP, we maintain a strong career-oriented approach. To the right (below) photos capture the on campus event where GCP students provide a training session to undergraduate students on how to do job search, Japanese style, teaching what they practice.

13/07/2024

Student Focus: Masayuki Kusumoto.

I am Masayuki Kusumoto, a 2nd-year student in the GCP program. have been engaged in communication studies and learning from professors who possess both scholarly insights and practical experiences in the communication field. I joined the GCP program because I wanted to develop the ability to facilitate decision-making about environmental sustainability through communication with various stakeholders in international settings. This program offers the best environment to achieve this goal in Japan. Our professors bring a wealth of international and practical experience, and my classmates from diverse countries consistently provide thought-provoking insights. Starting in April next year, I will be working for Japan Airlines, where I aim to promote sustainability from both environmental and financial perspectives. I plan to leverage the knowledge I have gained through the GCP program in the line of work I will be involved in. Photo by Sydney Huang

10/07/2024

Student Focus: Artemis Chan Photo by Sydney Huang