News Releases
Aug. 5, 2008
iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service and Antioch Seattle Welcome International Business Students From Japan
Over the month of August, a group of 11 international business students from Japan are in Seattle to take part in an innovative program focused on social enterprise and the American nonprofit sector.
The students will be enrolled in academic seminar courses and work in service-learning internships in nonprofit organizations and local businesses with a socially minded mission. They will visit and work with numerous local businesses, including Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Tully's Coffee, Interra, 10,000 Villages, Solid Ground, Feet First and the Northwest Center.
The program is a collaboration of iLEAP, Antioch University Seattle and Japan's Rikkyo University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Asia.
Rikkyo student Yusuke Horie says about the iLEAP program, "I am looking forward to having new perspectives toward social entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, American business culture and multicultural communication."
Naoyuki Takeda, another Rikkyo student, says nonprofits are not as popular in Japan.
"I think this experience in Seattle will be meaningful. I personally believe I will be able to have a broader knowledge of society. This knowledge will be useful in the future, for example, at a company and daily life. As the result, I can develop myself at all points in this program," Takeda says.
Britt Yamamoto, iLEAP executive director, says he's excited about this partnership with Rikkyo University.
"Social enterprise in the United States is a growing field and we are particularly fortunate in Seattle to have a number of exemplary businesses for others to learn from. I expect these students will take their experience from this program and return to Japan prepared to become the next generation of innovative leaders in business and social enterprise," Yamamoto notes.
The program is a part of iLEAP's Engaged English (E2) initiative that integrates English language conversational skills with an emphasis on civic engagement and applied learning. iLEAP is working with the State of Washington's Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to expand the number of partner organizations and universities in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Cheryl Hansen, education business development manager for CTED, says that as these students enter the workforce, they'll have benefited from unique learning opportunities available through iLEAP's Engaged English programs.
"Our Washington nonprofit sector benefits by engaging with Japanese students who better understand our organizations and who can generate positive change in their own workplaces when they return to Japan," says Hansen.
The Rikkyo students will keep a weblog of their time in Seattle, which can be accessed at http://ileap.org/rikkyoaug08/.
About iLEAP
iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service is a tax-exempt, nonprofit Washington organization that designs and delivers international training programs to inspire and catalyze efforts to affect positive social change in communities around the world. These programs are based in a systemic approach that values both the rigor in academic discourse and the necessity of practical experience. iLEAP develops these unique trainings in collaboration with colleges and universities, civil society groups and community-based organizations and they range in length from one day to nine months. Through its programs, iLEAP seeks to inspire a global network of leaders who have a creative sensibility for animating social change, a sophisticated understanding of challenges and opportunities and the courage to take risks.
About Antioch
Antioch University was founded in 1852 on principles of a rigorous liberal arts education, innovative experiential learning and socially engaged citizenship. The multiples campuses of the University nurture in their students the knowledge, skills and habits of reflection to act as lifelong learners, democratic leaders and global citizens who live lives of meaning and purpose.
About Antiochs Center for Creative Change
The Center for Creative Change is a dynamic and innovative graduate center that prepares individuals to become effective leaders. Students learn how to facilitate positive change in organizations, communities and the environment.
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