The Cross-Cultural College (CCC) is a collaborative education project jointly run by the University of Toronto, Mount Allison University, Queen’s University, Western University, and Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU). The program aims to educate students to become world citizens and leaders who can contribute to the growth and sustainability of a globalizing world with cross-cultural understanding and communication skills.
The program features two core courses for students to participate in an internship, and a problem-solving activities related to business. An emphasis on student mobility and teamwork provides opportunities to develop international networks, and nurtures active young people to become world citizens and leaders. Interested in what this program can offer? Watch the highlights on CCC’s YouTube page.
The Cross-Cultural College offers two programs this summer:
Global Career Seminar in Japan (GCSJ)
The Global Career Seminar (GCS) is a forum where groups of students from Canada and Japan come together to find solutions for problems that corporations and organizations have posed. Students will gain basic knowledge of international and Japanese businesses as well as business analysis methods through watching online pre-seminar lectures.After watching the online lectures, students will gather to spend a week with their peer students, meet with representatives from companies and organizations, and receive feedback from them after giving group presentations.
Online period (June 2 – July 12, 2025)
- 7 to 8 short videos
- 6 short assignments
- Synchronous Zoom sessions
On-site period (Aug. 2 – 9, 2025)
- Location: KGU Japan
- Total of 40 students from Canada and Japan to collaborate
- Program fee: 68,000 Japanese Yen
Participant company/organizations (2025 TBD)
- Embassy of Canada to Japan (2024)
- Garuda Indonesia (2024)
- Kameda Seika (2023)
- Manulife (2024)
- RICOH Company (2024)
- Schneider Electric Ltd (2024)
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (2024)
Global Internship in Japan (GIJ)
Global Internship in Japan (GIJ) allows students to experience working at a company/organization in Japan. Working together in pairs, students will learn the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding. During coursework prior to the internship, students will learn about the Japanese economy and business trends, as well as characteristics of the industry and business they will be working for.
Online period (June 2 – July 3, 2025)
- 4 – 5 short assignments
- 2 lectures
- 9 short videos
On-site period (Aug. 15 – 31, 2025)
- Program fee: exact costs are TBC, but estimated at 215,000 – 250,000 Japanese Yen
- After preparatory study at KGU from August 15th to 16th, each pair, composed of a student from KGU and a student from a Canadian university, will work together for 10 days, gaining practical experience in a real business environment in Japan. Internship locations will be allocated before students arrive in Japan, and they may be placed not only in the Kansai area, but also in Tokyo and other regions. After completing their internship, students will make a presentation and write a report on their findings.
Participant company/organizations (2025 TBD)
- ANA All Nippon Airways (2024)
- Canadian Academy (2024)
- Elecom (2024)
- Eli Lilly Japan (2023)
- Japan Travel Bureau (2024)
- Sankei Meriyasu (2023)
- Yamaha (2024)
Students may choose to pursue one of the two programs or both programs. On your application under “Study Plan,” please indicate which program (GCSJ / GIJ / Both) you would like to take.
Students who complete one or more courses through Cross-Cultural College may be eligible for the CCC Certificate!
Credit Equivalency: 3 Credits from KGU = 0.5 UofT FCE
Housing: Housing is guaranteed, and KGU will arrange for participants to live together during the program. If you do both GCJS and GIJ you will be responsible for finding and paying for your own accommodations between August 10 – 14, 2025.
U of T Tuition: 0.5 credit summer tuition plus incidental fees for each course.
Program Fee: In addition to U of T tuition and incidental fees, there will be a program fee which will be paid directly to KGU. Please refer to the fee chart for detailed information on what is included in the program fee.
– Global Career Seminar in Japan: JPY 68,000
– Global Internship in Japan: JPY 215,000 – 250,000 (fees TBD)
– Global Career Seminar in Japan + Global Internship in Japan: JPY 278,000 – 318,000 estimated (exact amount TBC; does not include housing for 6 nights between GCSJ and GIJ)
Eligible students may apply for IE Awards, a needs-based monetary award for U of T students who wish to go on a university-sanctioned Learning Abroad Program through the Centre for International Experience (CIE).
