From 24 – 31 July 2026, Thi Kim Dung Nguyen (Kim), a doctoral student, and Chu Jung Jao (Joy), a master’s student in the Gender and Development Studies (GDS) program at the Faculty of Public Policy and Sustainable Development (FPSD), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), had the opportunity to participate in a one-week academic exchange program at the Institute for Gender Studies, Ochanomizu University, Japan. This exchange program was organized as part of the long-standing partnership between the AIT’s GDS Program and Ochanomizu University.
Kim’s research focuses on Vietnamese mothers pursuing doctoral education abroad, while Joy’s research explores binational same-sex families living in Taiwan. The exchange provided both students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their respective fields. Throughout the week, they participated in a series of academic activities with the support of faculty members and staff at Ochanomizu University.
Kim and Joy had the privilege of meeting and learning from distinguished professors and researchers at Ochanomizu University and Tsuda University, whose areas of expertise include migration, motherhood/mothering, gender, and studies of sexual minorities. These valuable discussions broadened their academic perspectives and offered important insights for their ongoing research.
One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to meet international student mothers who generously shared their personal experiences of pursuing higher education while raising children in Japan. Their personal stories offered meaningful perspectives that complemented the academic discussions and deepened Kim and Joy’s understanding of gender, care, and migration.
They also visited the Center for Coproduction of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at the University of Tokyo and the Inclusive City Center (IRIS) in Shibuya, where they learned about public policies related to domestic violence and LGBT partnerships. These visits provided important insights into how gender equality is institutionalised in Japan.
Reflecting on the experience, Kim shared:
“I feel incredibly grateful for the valuable knowledge and skills I gained through this program. Every day, I learned something new and felt inspired by the passion and dedication of the professors and researchers who shared their work with us. Meeting former Ochanomizu students who were also student mothers was particularly meaningful, as their experiences helped me better understand and empathise with me and with the mothers in my own research.”
Joy reflected, “The intentional workshop not only enriched my academic training but also provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen my ongoing research with greater confidence. Beyond facilitating cross-cultural exchange, it offered a platform to refine my research ideas through meaningful dialogue that will inspire my future scholarly endeavors.”
Another memorable experience for both students was indeed the opportunity to present their research to professors and students at Ochanomizu University. The insightful questions, constructive comments, and thoughtful discussions they received provided valuable feedback that will contribute to the further development of their research.
Beyond the academic activities, Kim and Joy also had the opportunity to experience Japanese culture through the warm hospitality of Ochanomizu students. Together, they explored various places around Tokyo and experienced Japanese cuisine and local traditions. These cultural experiences enriched the exchange and created unforgettable memories alongside the academic learning.
Although the exchange lasted only one week, Kim and Joy returned to AIT with much more than new academic knowledge and research skills. They also gained meaningful friendships, expanded their professional networks, and developed new possibilities for future research collaboration between AIT and scholars in Japan.
Kim and Joy expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the GDS Program at AIT, the organizing committee, and especially Professor Kyoko Kusakabe for their trust, support and providing this valuable opportunity.
They also acknowledged the dedication and continuous efforts of the GDS Program in developing and sustaining its partnership with Ochanomizu University over the decades. Through this partnership students continue to gain opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, build international networks, and grow academically and personally.
