Seven students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic recently returned from a transformative two-week study abroad trip to Japan, where they forged international friendships and gained hands-on insights into Japanese engineering, education, and culture. The trip, part of a new partnership with Nagano College, marked the launch of Sask Polytech’s latest Study Abroad Program and set the stage for future international collaboration.
The exchange began in Tokyo with a formal memorandum of understanding signed between Sask Polytech and Nagano College at the Canadian embassy. “We are excited that this will be an ongoing, mutually beneficial arrangement for inter-cultural learning and exchange,” said Kiela Caudillo Ruiz, study abroad coordinator with Sask Polytech’s International Partnerships and Projects.
Immersive Campus Life and Cross-Cultural Discovery
From Tokyo, the students traveled to Nagano where they experienced Japanese college life firsthand—living in dorms, attending classes, and interacting daily with their Japanese peers. “The college experience in Japan is culturally and structurally quite different from Canada,” noted Christopher Roslinsky, head of the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology program. “It was an experience to see our similarities and differences.”
First-year student Travis Kinsella highlighted how Japanese students engage deeply in extracurricular clubs that complement their academic interests. “Some clubs, like the engineering ones, reinforce what they’re learning and help students find what they like doing,” he said.
Graduate Teegahn McFadden reflected on the enriching social and academic interactions. “We got to explore some of their learning through robotics and car projects,” he said. “And we also played dodgeball—it was awesome. We just got tossed in with them and learned their version.”
Understanding Japan’s Unique Educational and Work Culture
Nagano College follows a distinctive six-year model, beginning with two high school years, followed by two technology-focused years, and an optional two years of university-level education. This structure fosters a wide age range and a disciplined environment with strict rules and curfews.
Students and faculty also explored Japan’s professional work culture. Instructor Anthony Voykin described the strong sense of discipline and community. “Japanese employees, like students, work and study hard. At one company, employees are encouraged to spend 10–20% of their day learning from others during unstructured time,” he said. Workplaces often offer high-quality meals in well-designed cafeterias, promoting collaboration over lunch meetings.
Site Visits Highlight Advanced Engineering Applications
Throughout the trip, students visited civil engineering firms, test sites, and even a train maintenance yard where they observed electronics systems in action. A highlight was touring a miso factory equipped with automation technologies. “We got to see the different stages of production—the measuring, the sensors, and how everything interacted as a system,” said Kinsella.
McFadden noted the cleanliness and precision of Japanese factories as something he hopes to carry into his future work. The students even took home samples of miso paste—a small reminder of their hands-on learning.
Cultural Enrichment and Personal Growth
Beyond academics, students engaged in rich cultural experiences, including tea ceremonies, mochi making, and visits to historic shrines. “Seeing temples and shrines—the tranquility among all the chaos—was a highlight,” said Kinsella. “Being in Japan helped me become more mindful of my actions and routines.”
Voykin emphasized the personal growth the students experienced. “Some hadn’t traveled outside Saskatchewan before. They gained confidence navigating transit, making independent decisions, and solving language barriers. I can already see it translating back in the classroom.”
Looking Ahead to Fall 2025
The next phase of this reciprocal exchange will take place in Fall 2025, when a group of Nagano College students visits Sask Polytech’s Saskatoon campus. Faculty and international program coordinators are already planning a parallel experiential learning opportunity for the Japanese guests.
Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech President and CEO, praised the initiative: “Thank you to the National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Nagano College, for kicking off this exciting partnership. Our students gained so much insight from their visit. We are looking forward to hosting your students this fall in Saskatoon.”
This exchange serves as a model for meaningful inter-cultural collaboration and offers a compelling blueprint for future Study Abroad Guides that blend academic, professional, and cultural development.
