WCSU Opens Door For Foreign Students

DANBURY — As a result of discussions between WestConn officials and a small delegation of Japanese educators, an articulation agreement was signed that will pave the way for qualified students from the Hiroshima College of Foreign Languages (HFCL) in Japan to attend to pursue undergraduate degrees.

“We have for a very long time had in place a number of intriguing agreements for international student and faculty exchange,” said anthropology professor Dr Robert Whittemore, who runs WCSU’s International Center.

“In addition, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of students who are interest in studying abroad.

“What’s different about this agreement is that the students who will be coming here will not come as exchange students, but as regular, tuition paying students working toward a degree.”

The current agreement only allows for HCFL students to come here, though both institutions have indicated a willingness to explore a dual exchange program in the future.

For that to happen, WCSU will develop an infrastructure to support both incoming international students and WCSUstudents who wish to study abroad.

About a dozen American colleges and universities have executed agreements and accepted transfer students from HCFL in the past, but WCSU will be first  to do so on the East Coast.

“We’re a very likely place for someone from Japan to want to go,” said John Wallace, assistant to the vice president for student affairs at WCSU. “We can offer  complete immersion in English, a wide variety of programs of study, and proximity to Manhattan, Boston, and the Northeast. There’s a lot of potential.”

WCSU President Dr James W. Schmotter agreed.

“Our new partnership with Hiroshima College of Foreign Languages will bring enthusiastic Japanese students to our campus,” he said.