Learning in Diversity

Intercultural Collaborative Learning, or ICL for short, aims to foster mutual understanding among students from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. You can expect to mature as a person by acquiring a broader world view, critical thinking, and self-confidence through collaboration in ICL courses where you learn different ways to communicate and manage problems from others.

“ICL-Channels” is a project in which the participating universities develop ICL education by utilizing online materials. The project was adopted in 2021 by “The Top Global University Project” as an international education scheme specialised in online courses, entitled “Acceleration of Internationalization at Home through the Development of Intercultural Collaborative Learning Networks.” With Tohoku University as the administrator, ICL-Channels aims to construct a new ICL model through collaboration within the consortium.

The things you learn in the ICL-Channels Project will be useful in academia and beyond. For example, if you wish to study abroad, you will need multicultural awareness, the ability to understand and accept diversity, general international knowledge, and the ability to observe, analyse, and understand world issues to actively address them. Multicultural interactions in ICL classes nurture these abilities. You may find it challenging at first, but ICL courses will enable you to prepare for studying abroad and maintain your skills acquired overseas whilst living in Japan after being abroad.

Of course, ICL courses are not only for those who wish to study abroad or those who have already done so. What you learn in ICL courses will greatly influence the outcome of your job applications, entrance exams for higher education, and your success in society in general. For example, in group discussions, which many people experience in job interviews, you need awareness of your role in the group to form and make constructive arguments. You need the ability to communicate and make agreements with strangers. ICL courses are structured around group activities, which enables you to find the best way to communicate in a multicultural environment. Your experience in ICL courses can be applied on various occasions after graduation. Furthermore, broadening your views through ICL and improving your ability to understand diversity will also be beneficial if you wish to remain in academia. They can contribute to your decision making upon enrolling in the higher education abroad or to your ability to build up fair and equal relationships with researchers around the world.

In this way, ICL courses are designed to assist you with various pursuits. The global learning you experience here will be beneficial for life. Even if you are not familiar with the term, “ICL,” please come and visit us. Adventures and life-long friendships are waiting for you.