The International Studies program also participates in the TECHNOS INTERNATIONAL WEEK through which we send two freshman or sophomore students to Japan cost free for two weeks each spring. The Technos International College of Tokyo sponsors the visit of groups from Bates, Carleton, Hobart and William Smith, Hope, McKendree Colleges and Illinois Wesleyan in addition to groups from New Zealand and England. The itinerary includes a four-day program at Technos International College, tours of the City of Tokyo, villages, country sides and a mountain resort. For more information contact International Studies director William Munro.

June 2007 Technos International Week participants comments:

"Through the Technos program, I was able to discover the fascinating dichotomy of a culture that is both ancient and modern, plus at least a hundered ways to eat tofu. It was hard to remember that the remote mountain villages and the crowded streets of Tokyo were part of the same country. Yet, even the secularism and hyper-modernity of the city seemed steeped in tradition. I would have liked to stay in Japan all summer, and even now, I am itching to go back!     -Kari Irwin, 2007 Technos participant

"I think that everyone should apply for Technos program. People need to go out and experience the world; it opens people up to the world, to new ideas, and to a better understanding of each other. I came away from this program with a greater understanding of Japan, its culture and people, and also of myself. It was an experience I will never forget.       -Preston Prior, 2007 Technos participant

June 2007 Technos International Week IWU Participants

Technos students and International Week participants at Midori-No-Mura.

Preston Prior, Prof. Nancy Sultan and Kari Irwin, in traditional yukatas

Kari Irwin and Dr. Tanaka, president of the Tanaka Foundation

Technos student and Kari Irwin playing paper sumo wrestling game at an activity fair

Prof. Nancy Sultan and Kari Irwin with two Technos students

Kari Irwin ritually purifying her hands before entering a shrine

Technos particpants with Japanese hikers at Kami Kochi

Re-creation of a family shrine, Kari Irwin, Anna Yalouris and Molly Smith

June 2005 Technos International Week IWU Participants' Comments

"I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Technos International Week program with IWU students Michael Feeney (2008) and Sikiru Tijani (2008). This incredible program allowed us to explore many aspects of Japanese culture and life. We enjoyed the numerous opportunities for discussion with Japanese administrators, faculty members, and students at Technos International College, and were captivated by exciting excursions in and around Tokyo.

I particularly enjoyed the chance to give a lecture to a management class and to interact with faculty and students after the lecture. The first class excursions took us to the beautiful Technos International College mountain retreat, and to some remarkable Japanese castles and temples. We experienced all manner of delicious Japanese food during the two weeks in Japan. The meals and atmosphere at a traditional Japanese inn in Takayama were particularly noteworthy.

I appreciate Dr. Kenji Tanaka's generosity in supporting the Technos International Week program. Most of the expenses of the program are covered by the Tanaka Ikueki Educational Trust. Dr. Tanaka is the Honorary Chair of this trust, and its philanthropic efforts have done much to foster cross-cultural communication and has increased our understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture."

Mike Seeborg
Chair of Economics, IWU
Faculty Leader, 2005 Technos International Week

Sikuru Tijani (2008) and Mike Feeney (2008), Technos International Week student participants

When people ask me, "So Siki, how was Japan?" I can never find the right words that do the experience justice. Being in Japan was surreal. The Technos International College student had a phrase "ichi go ichi e" which can be best phrased in English as "once in a lifetime," which after the amazing, two-week long experience, I truly believe. Being able to wake up and look out of your window on one day and see the fast changing, evolving modern word of Tokyo, and another day look out to see the natural scenery of the mountainous terrain in Nagano was mind-blowing. The food was like nothing I have had before, and what was even more amazing then scenery and food, were the people. The Technos students as well as citizens of Japan were constantly helpful and friendly. What I took away from this trip, asides from neat souvenirs, are the strong friendships established with the Technos students I met along my travels.

Sikiru Tijani (2008)
International Business and Japanese Studies Major