Reflections and Memories
In 2023, Chubu University and Ohio University are celebrating 50 years of collaboration and friendship. Students, faculty and staff have had opportunities to visit each other’s campuses and interact with individuals from both institutions.
To capture the flavor and importance of these intercultural experiences, we invite our community to share reflection essays through the lens of these dynamic engagements.
Explore these accounts, memories, photos, and reflections below.
Learn how to submit an essay and photo memories for inclusion!
Guidelines and Format
- Submit responses in Essay format (500-1000 words).
- Answer in paragraphs (not bullet points).
- Prompts are meant to provide a guide for you, not required to answer the specific questions only.
- Not intended to be travelogues or testimonials- we seek thoughtful, personal answers based on the four themes provided.
- Choose to focus on as many of the questions as you like!
- Focus on your experiences affiliated with Chubu (either in Japan or interacting with Chubu faculty, staff, or students in Athens).
- Pictures welcome!
- Submit up to 4 for consideration
- Recommended file size up to 2 MB
- JPEG JPG GIF PNG all accepted
- If you would like to see what some students from Chubu University have written as examples, you can visit this website: https://ohio-chubu.jp/news/messages.html and translate the page in English.
How will OHIO use these Essays?
Your responses may be featured on www.ohio.edu/oga/chubu/50th or in other commemorative initiatives that OHIO will produce to honor the Chubu-Ohio relationship. By choosing to answer these questions, you grant us permission to do so.
Deadline and Submission Link- DEALINE EXTENDED!
Please submit your responses by December 15, 2023. If you require more time, please let us know.
Submit your Essay and Photos at this link: Chubu-OHIO 50th Reflection Essay Submissions
Questions?
If you have questions, contact Gerry Krzic ( krzic@ohio.edu ) or John Miller ( millerj4@ohio.edu ) at Ohio University or Tadashi Shiozawa ( shioz@isc.chubu.ac.jp ) at Chubu.
Prompts/ Questions to guide your Reflection Essay
Use One or More of these prompts to guide your Essay!
- PERSPECTIVES
- How have your experiences at Chubu or OHIO shaped your thinking and perspective?
- Can you provide specific examples of cross-cultural insights or changes in values that occurred during your time abroad? Were there any particular episodes or interactions that significantly influenced your thinking?
- BEHAVIOR
- How have your experiences at Chubu or OHIO influenced your actions and behavior?
- Can you elaborate on specific instances that affected your behavior, such as exhibiting more patience, demonstrating interest in other cultures, seeking opportunities for intercultural interaction, or improving your problem-solving skills, etc.?
- CAREER AND PERSONAL LIFE
- How have your experiences at Chubu or OHIO shaped your career and personal life?
- Please provide specific examples highlighting the impact on your personal and professional development, the expansion of your personal networks, and the growth of your global perspective.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- How have your experiences at Chubu or OHIO impacted your communication skills, including language learning and cultural awareness?
- Can you share specific episodes or experiences that were educational and transformative in terms of improving your foreign language proficiency and overall communication abilities? How have these impacts influenced your interactions with others, both personally and professionally?
Reflection Essays
Read Essays and check out personal photos from individuals who have engaged with Chubu over the years!
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November 7, 2023
On this 50th Anniversary of the Chubu-OHIO University Partnership, I reflect on all my friends, colleagues, students, and community members who have benefited from our partnership.
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November 1, 2023
In 2011, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at Chubu University, and during this time, we engaged in numerous cultural activities and excursions.
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November 1, 2023
I visited Japan and Chubu University first time in May 2014. In the same year, I was honored to be selected as the 40th Kohei Miura Visiting Professor at Chubu University.
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November 1, 2023
Every spring, wherever I am in any corner of the world, I recall the beauty and serenity of the two hundred plus Cherry trees that are lined up along the Hocking River at Ohio University, my alma mater.
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November 1, 2023
Thinking back on my experience at Ohio University, the thing that sticks out to me the most is my time getting to know the Chubu University students while working as a Special Programs Assistant through the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) from 2017-2019.
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November 1, 2023
In the summer of 2009, I was granted the opportunity to spend two months in Kasugai as the 35th Kohei Miura Visiting Professor at Chubu University.
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November 1, 2023
By my senior year of high school, I had barely ventured beyond the borders of my home state, let alone the country.
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November 1, 2023
I was the 26th Kohei Miura Visiting Professor, during the year of 1999. It was an experience that would change the direction of my research career and open my eyes to the wonderful culture of Japan. My wife, Terry Murphy, joined me for this 4-month experience.
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October 31, 2023
I won the lottery the day I started studying Japanese at Ohio University.
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October 31, 2023
To say that my experiences at Chubu University in Japan and in OHIO with the Chubu students shaped my trajectory in life is perhaps an understatement.