Leading a Study Abroad Program Through a Pandemic: Lessons from the Field

Abstract

This reflective essay is written based on the author’s experience as a study abroad program visiting resident director in Japan during the 2019-2020 academic year. As the resident director, the author served as the front line of communication and support for the international students on this program during an unprecedented crisis that impacted the world. The author describes the events that occurred in Japan during spring 2020, the challenges that arose as a result of the pandemic, and teaching strategies used to help students through the crisis. Based on this experience, the author makes recommendations for study abroad programs to consider as we look forward to resuming study abroad activities in a post-pandemic reality.

Abstract in Japanese

著者は、学校年度2019～2020年に日本国内で留学プログラム客員常勤ディレクターとして勤務した。この反射的エッセイはその経験を基に執筆されている。常駐ディレクターとしての著者の業務は、人類未経験のCOVID-19危機下における留学プログラム学生に対するコミュニケーションと支援の最前線業務であった。著者は、次の三つ、すなわち2020年春に日本で起こった出来事、パンデミックで生じた課題、危機下で学生を支援するために用いた教育戦略について述べる。パンデミック後の留学事業の再開を期待して、これらの経験を基に著者は留学プログラムに対する提案を行う。