GVSU alum helps launch Japan exchange

When Yuichi Kondo first came to Grand Valley State University from Japan some 30 years ago on an exchange program, he loved it so much that he transferred to Grand Valley to complete his degree. Now, he is the associate dean of academic affairs at Reisumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU), in Beppu, Japan. He’s coming back to Grand Valley on Friday to help launch a new exchange program with his current institution.

Yuichi studied at Grand Valley as part of a student exchange agreement with International Christian University near Tokyo. He transferred to Grand Valley in Fall 1978, and earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences in 1979. He is visiting Grand Valley to sign a memorandum of understanding document between APU and Grand Valley to launch what is hoped will become a student-for-student exchange partnership.

“Dr. Kondo approached us because of his own experience with what he calls ‘Grand Valley’s charm and welcoming atmosphere,’” said Mark Schaub, executive director of the Padnos International Center at Grand Valley. “He said that atmosphere is perfect for APU’s current undergraduates. And APU would like to host GVSU students in Japan on study abroad semesters.”

PHOTO OP: Yuichi Kondo, Mark Schaub, GVSU Provost Gayle Davis, and Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies Wendy Wenner will be signing the agreement in 227 Lake Ontario Hall between 10:20 and 10:30 a.m.  on Friday, February 15. For more information, call Brian J. Bowe at (616) 331-2221.

Grand Valley State University’s Padnos International Center recently earned national recognition from the New York-based Institute of International Education. The center received an honorable mention for the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education in the study abroad category. The center was noted for its encouragement of longer-term and independent programs. Grand Valley has maintained a policy of keeping the world of study abroad as open as possible; students may apply for some 4,000 programs around the world, including direct enrollment at institutions around the globe. This policy, along with financial incentives for independent study abroad, has been the university’s way of trying to increase participation in study abroad programs by students as individuals, not as part of a group.

The award will be presented at a ceremony at the United Nations on March 13 as part of IIE's annual Best Practices Seminar. PIC executive director Schaub was invited to speak at the IIE’s Best Practices conference in New York in March — the only representative from an honorable mention school to be so honored in the conference.