911勛圖

After a five-year pause due to the global pandemic, the Faculty of Education���s Office of International Education at 911勛圖 proudly welcomed twenty-five student teachers from in Japan as part of its longstanding international education program.

Held from February 12 to March 5, 2025, the visit marked a joyful return to in-person global engagement and reaffirmed a partnership that has been growing since 2010.

���This program has always been about more than just a cultural exchange,��� said Dr. Steve Marshall, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and International. ���It���s about building lasting relationships and deepening our shared commitment to educational learning across borders.���

Three Weeks of Immersive Learning

Over three weeks, Tsuru students participated in a collaboratively designed program that included interactive workshops, school visits, field trips, and cultural exchanges. The experience offered a deep look into Canadian education while encouraging students to reflect on their evolving identities as future educators.

Dr. Rhonda Philpott has supported Tsuru cohorts since 2010 and has witnessed the program���s ongoing evolution. ���Each group is unique, but what���s constant is their openness and how much they grow in just three weeks,��� she said. ���It���s always an honour to be part of that journey.��� 

Highlights included:

• Visits to Suncrest and University Highlands elementary schools, where students observed classes, joined a Pink Shirt Day assembly, and shared Japanese cultural activities.
• Field trips to Science World and Grouse Mountain���s H穩wus First Nations Cultural Program, offering experiential learning and an introduction to Indigenous teachings and traditions.
• A reflective identity project, where each student created a symbolic stitched artifact inspired by, We Teach Who We Are.

Students shared how meaningful these experiences were. "Every class was interesting and informative, and the school visits were some of my most valuable experiences,��� said Miju K., one of the visiting student teachers. Mayu T., also part of the group, reflected on a key takeaway: ���I was especially interested in learning about Indigenous education. I���d like to bring some of these ideas into my teaching in Japan.���

The students��� openness to new ideas left a strong impression on facilitators and accompanying faculty.

���I truly enjoyed my experience working with the Tsuru group,��� said Sarine Sadhra, one of the facilitators. ���They were enthusiastic and thoughtful. They taught me a lot about education in Japan and asked great questions about curriculum and planning in B.C.��� 

Dr. Yukiko Bekku, a professor at Tsuru University who first visited 911勛圖 in 2020, returned this year to accompany the group. ���The lessons were stimulating and valuable, not just for the students but for me as well,��� she shared. ���Everyone at 911勛圖���teachers, staff, and students���were so kind and supportive. It made the three weeks truly special.���

Stitching Educational Identity

As a capstone to their experience, students participated in a stitched identity project facilitated by Dr. Philpott. Inspired by Parker Palmer���s , the exercise invited them to represent their values, beliefs, and evolving identities as teachers.

���The depth of reflection and creativity shown in these identity squares was remarkable,��� recalls Philpott. ���It���s a powerful way to connect lived experience with professional identity.���

Many of the themes explored in the project (community, belonging, and inclusive classrooms) were echoed throughout student reflections. 

���This program taught me how important it is to create a classroom where students feel safe,��� shared Niina. ���It reminded me how much I want to become a teacher and how essential communication is.���

Moka emphasized the importance of creating ���a classroom where everyone feels like they belong.��� She added, ���When I become a teacher, I want to prioritize building that community.���

More than just art pieces, the stitched squares became personal declarations, weaving together the lessons, relationships, and cross-cultural conversations that shaped their time at 911勛圖. 

Moving Forward, Together

The visit offered Tsuru students personal growth, educational insight, and lasting memories. It also reaffirmed the strength of 911勛圖 and Tsuru University's partnership, and a shared commitment to fostering globally minded educators. 

"Having worked with Tsuru groups over many years, it's always a joy to see how each cohort brings something new and how deeply they engage with the themes of equity, identity, and community," said Philpott. "It's a privilege to witness their growth and to be part of something so lasting.��� 

���This partnership represents exactly the kind of long-term, meaningful collaboration we aim to foster at 911勛圖,��� added Marshall. ���Bringing the program back after the pandemic was not just a return, but a recommitment to our values and our global relationships. We look forward to continuing that work for years to come."