This past summer, Dr. Peter Shapinsky,  Department Chair and Associate Professor of History, led a group of UIS students to Japan as part of the annual exchange between the University of Illinois, Springfield and the Ashikaga Institute of Technology–UIS Global Experience: Ashikaga, Japan. During a two-and-a-half week sojourn in Ashikaga,  Japan (Springfield’s sister city), as well as Tokyo, students experienced everyday life in home stays, explored the range of Japanese history from ancient burial mounds to medieval castles to postmodern Tokyo, studied Japanese language, and engaged in traditional cultural pursuits. They then applied what they learned in Japan and integrated it with independent research projects.

In doing so, they received academic credit applicable for ECCE global awareness, engagement experience, and some major coursework. History faculty members help to give students a global perspective at UIS.