TOKYO, JAPAN—Governor Wes Moore has announced an expansion of the academic and cultural exchange program between Salisbury University and the Japan Study Abroad Foundation during his visit to Japan. The expansion aims to bolster existing study abroad programs at Salisbury University, enhancing ties with Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo and Aomori University in northern Japan.
The partnership will enable students from approximately 50 Japanese colleges and universities to study abroad at Salisbury University, marking a significant development for the institution’s international student population. As the top contributor of international students to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Salisbury University’s partnership with the Japan Study Abroad Foundation will provide a unique opportunity for students from some 50 colleges and universities in Japan to study abroad. This collaboration, the first of its kind for a Maryland university, offers Japanese students opportunities for one-semester and one-year international experiences.
Governor Moore emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Salisbury University is one of the great treasures of our state. You nurture future leaders; you arm students with the tools they need to thrive; you uplift our aspirations and our people. Today, we write the next chapter in that story and we do it in partnership with our friends overseas.” He continued, “For twenty-five years, the exchange between Salisbury and Japan has deepened the bond between the people of Japan and the people of Maryland. We are proud of the legacy this program has already established–and today’s expansion builds on that tradition.”
The program is projected to bring 10 visiting students to Salisbury University in its initial two years, contributing an estimated $258,680 annually to the local economy through tuition, fees, accommodation, and other expenses. Furthermore, student spending and travel are anticipated to generate an additional $40,000 per student, resulting in a total economic impact of approximately $4 million over the partnership’s duration.
Salisbury University President Carolyn R. Lepre expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are proud of our partnership with the Japan Study Abroad Foundation and are excited for the additional students who will benefit from this agreement.” She also expressed gratitude for Governor Moore’s leadership in facilitating these opportunities.
During his visit, Governor Moore also took the opportunity to greet servicemembers at Yokota U.S. Air Force Base, located in western Tokyo. He and Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee shared lunch with a group of enlisted personnel, including 56 Marylanders stationed at the base.
Later, Governor Moore, Secretary Lee, and Maryland Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Growth Ricardo Benn met with Ambassador Arima Yutaka of the North American Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group discussed diplomacy, economic cooperation, and fostering bilateral relations to strengthen economic development, trade, investment, and cultural and educational exchanges.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via the Maryland Governor’s Office
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