Student participation is central to the Okinawa Memories Initiative’s work, and we create opportunities for meaningful, experiential learning for both graduate and undergraduate students. By learning in the field, students participate in global historical understanding in ways they could never achieve in the classroom. Students also develop essential personal and professional skills—cross-cultural exchange, in-depth research, emotional intelligence, project development and execution, multimedia expertise, and digital literacies—that will serve them well beyond their time on our campus.
Every year, a cohort of students in America and Okinawa connect to discuss and learn Okinawan history, culture and contemporary issues. This cohort remains intact over two years.