COM-FSM Student Completes APIC Pacific Islands and West Indies 2024 Student-exchange Program
By the Office of the Vice President for Instructional Affairs
The Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC) office has supported numerous students in the Pacific region over the years. However, the program was halted for several years due to the impact of COVID-19 and was only reactivated in 2023. Mr. Ian Perman, an alumnus, who graduated from the Micronesian Studies program in Fall 2023, represented the College of Micronesia-FSM that year. This year, five students from various universities in the Pacific Islands and another five students from the University of the West Indies were selected to participate in the summer session at Sophia University, sponsored by APIC.
Ms. Brenda Saimon, a Spring 2024 graduate of the Liberal Arts program, represented the College for the exchange program. She stood out among the ten COM-FSM students who qualified for the college’s internal selection hosted by the VPIA office, becoming one of the APIC candidates. During her four weeks in Japan, Ms. Saimon enrolled in three courses at Sophia University in Tokyo: Education in Japan, Modern History of Japan, and the Perspectives in Intercultural Communication.
This one-month exchange program greatly enhanced Ms. Saimon's understanding of Japanese culture as she experienced a unique classroom environment at Sophia University. Ms. Saimon stated in her experience,
“This program offered me a rich experience of Japanese life, from exploring ancient and historic sites to making connections with the local people and studying at Sophia University. My favorite part was forming deep and meaningful relationships with friends from around the world. This program is the perfect opportunity to dive into Japanese culture, visit historic places, and make lifelong friendships while studying at a prestigious institution like Sophia University. It’s a life-changing experience that combines academic growth with fun and meaningful connections!”
We hope that this exchange program will set a significant precedent for future student-exchange collaborations between COM-FSM and Sophia University. We extend our gratitude to the Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC) for their ongoing support. The VPIA office also extends its appreciation to Professor Karen Kan-Lun Tu for coordinating the selection process and arrangements for our COM-FSM students. Congratulations to Ms. Brenda Saimon for representing COM-FSM!
