The York University English Language Institute (YUELI) hosted eight international delegations this summer from higher education institutions in Hong Kong and Japan. Welcoming the groups to York University was Isaac Garcia-Sitton, director, International Education and YUELI in the School of Continuing Studies.
The visits align with York University’s internationalization strategy and the broader provincial and federal approaches to enhanced global outreach and diversity.
“YUELI plays a pivotal role in supporting York’s international recruitment efforts and the conversion of international students into [studies] at the University,” said Garcia-Sitton. “YUELI’s increasingly diverse student body reflects Canada’s vision for inclusion and openness and we are proud to welcome the unique experiences and viewpoints that such a multicultural demographic brings – not just to York University, but also to Toronto and Canada.”
These groups visited York in summer 2017
Education University of Hong Kong (EUHK) is ranked second in Asia for education by 2016 QS World University Rankings. Students take the BEd(EL) English Language Immersion Program (non-credit-bearing) at YUELI, which is an integral part of the five-year BEd(EL) degree at EUHK. This is the second year in a row that YUELI collaborated with EUHK for English language teacher training
Above: From left, Isaac Garcia-Sitton, director, International Education and YUELI, School of Continuing Studies; Michael Twohey, associate director, Special Programs, YUELI; Ben Collins, associate director, Academic Program, YUELI; Professor Chan Hing Yee (Letty Chan), Department of English Language Education EUHK; and Kareen Sharawy, manager, English for Academic Purposes, YUELI
Konan University is a new partnership for YUELI. The university is located in Kobe, Japan. It is renowned for its Konan International Exchange Center (KIEC), where outbound students to North America are arranged from September through May. Konan University is exploring the establishment of a long-term partnership with YUELI in the Academic Program, which is the largest program at YUELI, with nine levels that bring students from no English language proficiency (ABC’s) to highly advanced proficiency (PhD).
From left to right: Ben Collins, associate director, Academic Program, YUELI,; Isaac Garcia-Sitton, director, International Education and YUELI, School of Continuing Studies; Professor Nobuo Tsuda, Konan University; Vineeta Nathan, manager, English for Academic Purposes, YUELI; and Michael Twohey, associate director, Special Programs, YUELI
Kobe College is a small private women’s liberal arts college in Nishinomiya, Japan. The college has been a partner of YUELI in its Summer Immersion Program (SIP) since 2012. SIP is an extremely popular short-term program at YUELI, with students from Japan, China, Italy, Russia, Israel, etc. taking part in a three-week course that includes Academic English training as well as sociocultural activities and excursions to popular tourist attractions.
Above: From left, Ben Collins associate director, Academic Program, YUELI; Kareen Sharawy, manager, English for Academic Purposes; Prof. Masahito Takahashi, Kobe College; Isaac Garcia-Sitton director, International Education and YUELI, School of Continuing Studies
Osaka University of Economics (OUE) is a private university in Osaka, Japan. OUE has been a partner for YUELI’s SIP since 2014.
Kyoei University is a small private university located in Kasukabe, Japan. Kyoei University has sent students to YUELI for the Academic Program (2016-2017) and SIP (2017).
Above: From left, Professor Hirabayash, Kyoei University; Professor Li Yan, Osaka University of Economics, Kareen Sharawy, manager, English for Academic Purposes; and Michael Twohey, associate director, Special Programs, YUELI
STA Travel Japan is one of the world’s largest travel companies for students and young people, with over 200 branches across 12 countries. STA Travel Japan is the agency that works with Dokkyo University for coordinating the students’ stay for YUELI’s SBIP, a four-week, short-term program and is traditionally popular among Japanese university students and high school graduates who would like to experience Toronto during winter (February), learn Academic English and enjoy sociocultural activities.
Meiji Gakuin University (MGU) is engaged in a new partnership with YUELI. MGU is a private Christian university in Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan. MGU previously had a delegate from its Faculty of Law visit York and YUELI. MGU is considering sending students to YUELI for upcoming immersion programs.
Kyoto Tachibana University (KTU) is a private university in Kyoto, Japan. KTU is considering a long-term partnership for YUELI’s AP and possibly YUBridge, a pathway program that allows students to receive a conditional offer from York University for admission to an undergraduate degree program and take both Academic English classes at YUELI and for-credit courses in the Faculties of Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering or Health at the same time.