November 14, 2025
When the first cohort of students from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, arrived on UBC’s Vancouver campus in 1991, few could have imagined the enduring legacy this partnership would create.
What began as a bold idea between two universities has grown into UBC’s longest-running academic exchange. Thirty-five years later, the UBC–Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Program continues to exemplify what’s possible when innovation, trust and human connection form the foundation of global learning.
An Innovative Beginning
The partnership was born from a shared vision of educational innovation. At a time when few academic institutions pursued joint ventures of this scale, UBC and Ritsumeikan co-established a physical home for the program on UBC’s campus — Ritsumeikan-UBC House.
“Thirty-five years ago, it seems difficult to imagine administrators from two postsecondary institutions deciding, ‘Let’s create an opportunity for 100 students a year who might not otherwise have the chance to study at UBC,’” reflects Dr. Ryan Deschambault, Program Director at UBC. “That spirit of innovation—and the trust and respect it took to try something new—are really the foundation of this partnership.”
The Ritsumeikan-UBC House is more than a student residence; it has become a symbol of international collaboration and shared purpose where thousands of students have found community, growth and belonging.
Built on Trust and Educational Value
For Dr. Saori Hagai, Director of the Division of International Affairs at Ritsumeikan University, the program’s longevity hinges on two key factors: mutual trust and uncompromising academic quality.
“The real foundation is educational value,” she explains. “UBC has consistently delivered excellence in second-language acquisition, applied linguistics and English education at an A-class level. That quality is indispensable to us and has kept us together since 1990.”
Saori describes the partnership as one that has weathered decades of social and political change, yet never wavered in its purpose: to provide transformative educational experiences rooted in respect, transparency and cross-cultural learning.
Transformation Beyond the Classroom
Each year, roughly 60 Ritsumeikan students spend eight months immersed in UBC’s Faculty of Education — living, studying and participating fully in campus life.
For many, it’s their first time living away from home. They learn independence, resilience and confidence. These are lessons that extend far beyond language learning.
“At its core, it’s a coming-of-age experience,” Ryan says. “In addition to what they learn in classes, students learn to cook, manage their time and make decisions for themselves. Basically, they learn to ‘adult’ within a supportive, well-scaffolded environment.”
Ritsumeikan students contribute widely to campus life at UBC. They volunteer at the student-run Agora Café, join intramural teams and support UBC peers in learning Japanese. Some even volunteer through the UBC Learning Exchange in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, applying social responsibility in real-world contexts.
These experiences reflect not only academic growth but also UBC’s broader commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization (EDID) — values deeply embedded in the program’s learning environment.
A Partnership that Evolves with the Times
The UBC-Ritsumeikan Program has adapted continually over three and a half decades. When COVID-19 forced students to return home in 2020, both UBC and Ritsumeikan University were compelled to find ways to respond to the challenges caused by restricted international student mobility. The two institutions collaborated to make mutually supportive financial and educational choices, further reinforcing the program’s foundation of mutual care and respect.
As time went on, both institutions shifted their focus — moving from expanding global reach to building ethical, reciprocal connections that benefit students and communities on both sides. “The question became: how can we stay globally connected in ethical, sustainable ways that benefit both sides?” says Ryan. “We’ve intentionally kept enrollment modest at around 60 students, so that learning remains personal and meaningful.”
Saori agrees that sustainability is key. “This partnership thrives on reciprocity. We celebrate our successes and speak openly about any concerns that arise. That transparency keeps us strong.”
Rits Alumni Around the World
Over 3,000 students have taken part in the exchange since its inception. Alumni now span continents, working in diverse fields such as academia, law, business and education.
Representatives from UBC attended the 35th Anniversary celebration of the UBC-Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange in Kyoto, Japan. (L-R Michael Wilkinson, Dr. Margaret Early, Sheri Wenman, Dean Jan Hare, Dr. Reginald D’Silva, Dr. Ryan Deschambault)
Saori, herself a “Rits” alum, recently reconnected with members of her 1998 cohort. “Some of us became professors, lawyers or executives; others shifted paths entirely,” she says. “Regardless of title, everyone carries the same core strength: the ability to think critically and communicate across cultures. That came from UBC.”
Many graduates return to Vancouver years later—to visit, study again, or simply to walk the familiar paths between Rits House and Main Mall. For them, the experience was life-changing.
The People Behind the Legacy
The program’s longevity also reflects the dedication of countless staff and faculty members.
Ryan credits Rits’ original and long-serving Program Manager Sheri Wenman, who retired in 2024, with nurturing relationships that bridged generations of students and staff.
Many leaders at UBC have contributed to the program’s successes over the years. In the Faculty of Education, Drs. Anna Kindler, Ken Reeder, Sandra Zappa-Hollman and Reg D’Silva have helped shape the program’s academic direction, while countless instructors and graduate students have contributed immeasurably through teaching, mentorship and research.
“It’s a space where transformation happens for students and instructors alike,” Ryan notes. “That’s the magic of it.”
Looking Ahead
As UBC and Ritsumeikan mark 35 years of collaboration, the spirit of innovation, respect and shared humanity that launched the program remains vibrant.
“For 35 years, our institutions have walked side by side in the spirit of friendship and mutual learning,” said Dr. Jan Hare, Dean of the UBC Faculty of Education, at the anniversary ceremony in Kyoto. “What makes this partnership unique is that it goes far beyond academics. Our students study together, live together and build friendships that last long after their time in Vancouver. These personal connections embody the heart of a true study-abroad education — they create bridges of understanding that strengthen ties between Canada and Japan.”
UBC President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, calls the UBC–Ritsumeikan partnership a powerful example of the university’s commitment to purposeful global engagement.
“The UBC–Ritsumeikan partnership exemplifies UBC’s key strategic commitment to ‘partner for purpose’. It’s a long-lasting collaboration rooted in respect, reciprocity and shared learning. Together, our universities have created opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities across borders. As we look to the future, this spirit of connection and co-creation will continue to guide how UBC engages with the world.”
– Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC President and Vice-Chancellor
Looking ahead, Saori envisions students engaging even more deeply with the community through volunteerism and fieldwork. “Study abroad shouldn’t be a luxury,” she says. “It’s an opportunity that carries responsibility — to apply learning in ways that make society better.”
For Ryan, the next chapter is about staying adaptive. “Students today face uncertainty about technology and the future of their professional lives. Our goal is to keep listening closely — both to what students say and how they say it — and to try to evolve accordingly.”
A Legacy of Learning, Friendship and Trust
From a bold idea in 1991 to a living tradition that continues to shape lives today, the UBC–Ritsumeikan partnership stands as a model for what enduring international collaboration can look like: ethical, student-centred and grounded in genuine connection.
“That idea, 35 years ago, led to a physical building on campus,” Ryan says. However, he believes, it’s much more. “It’s a symbol of what’s possible when two institutions share a vision and keep nurturing it, year after year.”
Read more stories about the UBC-Ritsumeikan partnership:
Inside Ritsumeikan-UBC House – A Home Away From Home
A Journey of Friendship and Discovery: Ai’s Story
Infographic: A Historical Timeline of the UBC-Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Program
