November 14, 2025
Ai (right) with her children and former Rits roomate, Maiko.
For Ai Nishino, the decision to study abroad through the UBC–Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Program was simple: she wanted to see the world, improve her English and experience everyday life in another culture. What she didn’t expect was that nine months in Vancouver would shape the course of her life — inspiring a lifelong career in language education and international exchange.
Now a faculty member at International Christian University in Tokyo, Ai looks back on the friendships, experiences and life lessons that began at Ritsumeikan-UBC House more than twenty years ago.
Ai waves from her dorm room at Ritsuimeikan-UBC House in 1996
What inspired you to apply for the UBC–Ritsumeikan Exchange Program?
Ever since high school, I had dreamed of studying abroad and wanted to improve my English. I was interested in Canada because my hometown, Uji in Kyoto, is a sister city of Kamloops. Like any ordinary 20-year-old girl, I just wanted to interact with local people and experience everyday life while studying at UBC. From that perspective, the idea of sharing a room with UBC students especially appealed to me — it felt like a real opportunity to live and learn in an international environment. Looking back, I realize that although I didn’t have any concrete goals at the time, this program had an incredible impact on me — one that truly changed the course of my life.
Are there particular memories of your time in Vancouver — friendships, moments or challenges — that stay with you?
What stands out most vividly is the time I spent with my roommate and friends. We explored the city together and created many lasting memories. I also remember my classes very well — especially a project-based language course that involved interviews, surveys and report writing. It was challenging because I had little experience with that kind of learning before.
I’d been a Girl Scout since childhood, and in Vancouver I became friends with a UBC student who was a Girl Guide leader. I joined some of their activities and was deeply impressed by the cultural diversity among the children in her troop. That experience became part of my project work, which was later published in the UBC-Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Programme Research Bulletin and the Rits Review — an achievement that gave me great confidence.
Another special memory was a tea ceremony demonstration I gave with the help of my roommate, Maiko Behr. It was first held in the Tatami Room at Rits House and later at the CHOI Building. The connection we built through the tea ceremony made our friendship truly special — and it later led to another story in 2025!
How did living and studying in Canada shape you as a young person?
Ai’s tea ceremony with her friends was featured in the April 1997 UBC Reports.
During those nine months, the people I met and the conversations I had changed me deeply. One question I was often asked — ‘What kind of work do you want to do after graduation?’ — made me think seriously about my future. Until then, I had only thought vaguely about ‘getting a job,’ but as I tried to answer that question, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in education and international exchange. I also learned that diversity itself can be a source of strength — an idea that has become one of my core beliefs as an educator. Travelling across Canada by train and bus taught me independence and confidence. Later, when I joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and taught in rural China, I knew those lessons from UBC had made me brave enough to take that step.
In what ways did the Rits experience influence your academic or career path?
It completely shaped my career path. Before joining the program, I didn’t even know that Japanese language education existed as a field. At UBC, I joined the language exchange program and met Japanese learners for the first time. That experience opened my eyes to the fact that people around the world were studying Japanese. After returning to Japan, I remembered that experience and decided to pursue graduate studies in second-language acquisition. I realized that what we had experienced at UBC was an advanced, research-informed approach to language education. Since then, I’ve worked in Japanese language education for many years — first at Ritsumeikan, later at the Japan Foundation, and now as a faculty member at International Christian University. Each step traces back to my time in Vancouver.
You recently returned to UBC and even visited your old dorm room. What was that like?
During my sabbatical as a Visiting Lecturer in UBC’s Faculty of Arts, I visited Rits House several times. On my final day, I unexpectedly had the chance to step inside my old dorm room — something I had never imagined would happen. I remembered everything: my roommates, the kitchen, even the little everyday moments. Each of my three roommates came from a different background — a pharmacy student, an education major and a graduate student in Asian Studies — and that diversity was the best part of all. Now, returning as a mother with my children, I feel proud to show them where my own journey began. My son studied at U-Hill Secondary School, and my daughter joined summer camps at UBC. They both say they want to study there one day — maybe even at Rits House themselves!
Why do you think the UBC-Ritsumeikan partnership has endured for 35 years?
I think there are two reasons: the program’s structure and the people who support it. Rits House is not just a dormitory — it’s a place that supports both learning and daily life. It was designed with real foresight, and even after 35 years, it still feels special. But what truly defines this program is the people — the teachers, staff and students who sustain its warm and respectful atmosphere. A program doesn’t last this long by standing still; it keeps evolving through creativity and teamwork. I also think the locations of both universities — Kyoto and Vancouver — have something to do with it. Each city represents a different side of cultural richness and international perspective, and together they create something truly unique.
If you could share one message with today’s students entering the program, what would it be?
First, treasure the people you meet. Building relationships with your teachers, staff, roommates and local friends will enrich your experience in countless ways. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone, and think about what experiences you can have only here, in this place and at this moment. There may be times when you struggle, but those moments will become part of your strength and stay with you for life.
When you think about your time at UBC now, what feelings come up for you?
Above all, I feel deep gratitude. If I hadn’t joined this program, I honestly can’t imagine where I’d be today or what I’d be doing. That’s how deeply it shaped my life. Today, as a Japanese language educator, I welcome international students to my own university. Whenever things get tough, I think back to my happy days at UBC — those memories always lift my spirits.
Ai visits Ritsumeikan-UBC House in 2025
Read more stories about the UBC-Ritsumeikan partnership:
Celebrating 35 Years of Partnership: The UBC–Ritsumeikan Story
