Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 12(6), pp. 125 - 135
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2024.120601
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Exploring the Perspectives of Online Study Abroad Programs in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Approach

Yukiyo Nishida ^1,*, Atsuko Watanabe ², Masuko Miyahara ³, Maki Ojima ⁴, Gaby Benthien ⁵, Kazuko Takano ^6
1 School of Education, University of Aberdeen, the UK
² Faculty of Language and Literature, Bunkyo University, Japan
³ English for Liberal Art Program, International Christian University, Japan
⁴ Global Education Center, Waseda University, Japan
⁵ Faculty of English, IT and Management, Shumei University, Japan
⁶ Faculty of Arts and Letters, Meiji University, Japan

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 profoundly impacted countries worldwide between early 2020 and late 2021 due to travel restrictions, lockdowns, and health risks. Many higher education institutions responded to the health threat posed by COVID-19 by moving their on-campus programs online. Study abroad programs also needed to undergo adjustments, with some universities establishing alternative arrangements. This study uses a narrative approach to examine Online In-Country Study Abroad Program (ONIC-SAPs) from the perspective of Japan-based participants, academic, and administrative staff who were involved and participated. The program was operated by a university in Japan in collaboration with a partner university in Canada and a global language school during the height of the pandemic. The findings highlight that the advantages of ONIC-SAPs are also seen as the disadvantages of the programs. Acquiring language skills and experiencing intercultural encounters with the aid of technology may become even more common in the future, yet the extent to which this kind of learning is of benefit to all concerned should be considered. The study highlights that there is a need for further research into the content and curriculum of ONIC-SAPs to find ways to improve the value of online learning for all stakeholders, especially for study abroad programs. Although the participants were recruited from the Japanese side only, the findings will resonate with study abroad stakeholders and scholars of study abroad programs worldwide.

KEYWORDS
Online In-Country Study Abroad Program (ONIC-SAP), COVID-19, Japan's Study Abroad Policies, Stakeholder and Students' Perspectives, Advantages and Disadvantages of ONIC-SAP, Teacher Certificate Course

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Yukiyo Nishida , Atsuko Watanabe , Masuko Miyahara , Maki Ojima , Gaby Benthien , Kazuko Takano , "Exploring the Perspectives of Online Study Abroad Programs in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Approach," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 125 - 135, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2024.120601.

(b). APA Format:
Yukiyo Nishida , Atsuko Watanabe , Masuko Miyahara , Maki Ojima , Gaby Benthien , Kazuko Takano (2024). Exploring the Perspectives of Online Study Abroad Programs in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Approach. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 12(6), 125 - 135. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2024.120601.