Published on April 21, 2016 by Sean Flynt  
The partnership between ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ and Japan’s continues to expand international exchange options for both institutions.

Seinan Gakuin is located in the commercial center of Fukuoka City– the “Gateway to Asia”– on Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan. ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ president Andrew Westmoreland was already familiar with the university due to its partnership with Ouachita Baptist University, Westmoreland’s previous presidential post. He wanted ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ students to have a similar opportunity, and was able to provide that starting with his 2014 agreement with Seinan Gakuin president and ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ alumnus Gary Barkley ‘77.

Under the agreement, students of both universities can choose to study abroad for either one or two semesters, with full transfer of those earned credits. The courses at Seinan Gakuin focus on Japanese language, culture, history, tradition, business and politics. A minimum of 14 credits over each semester is required. For ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ students unable to spend the entire year abroad, Seinan Gakuin also offers a four-week intensive Japanese language and culture program in the summer.

 
¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.