Global Link is a selective summer program for International Christian University (ICU) students in New York City. Centered on the theme of “Service & Sustainability,” the one-month long program will expose ICU students to some of the key factors concerning economic, environmental and social sustainability, as well as the importance of service within our increasingly globalized world.

The Japan ICU Foundation has custom designed Global Link to expose ICU students to a variety of organizations and thought-leaders working in the field of sustainability. A strong service component has also been incorporated. The six student participants from ICU will be actively engaged in a diverse range of activities that will be complimented by a set of readings and a group project. The program will run from July 6-31.

GLOBAL LINK STUDENTS 2015

NAME: Kazuko Fukuda
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2018

“My dream is to become a specialist in International Law and work for the United Nations and other international organizations so I can help people in unjust situations. If I have the opportunity to participate in the Global Link Program in N.Y. it would contribute substantially to my future in many ways. “

NAME: Gaku Ichikawa
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2018

“I want to broaden my view throughout the program. The term “sustainability” peaked my interest when I was traveling in Ho-Chi-Minh and Châu-Đốc, Vietnam. I could feel the differences between the urban areas and rural areas. I want to learn more about both the theory and practical reality of sustainability practices. I am going to study the former one in ICU this spring, and I hope to learn more about real life examples this summer.”

NAME: Ando Kazutaka
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2017

“The reason why I entered ICU was because I wanted to pursue my dream to become a politician. To do so, I continued to take the courses that are connected to Political Science. Political Science generally deals with the concepts and practices of politics, but is also connected to a wide variety of fields, including “economic, environmental and social sustainability”. My plan for taking classes at ICU symbolizes the parts of a tree. Politics is the trunk, and International Relations, Philosophy, and Economics extend out from the trunk like branches. So, I think that the activities of Global Link would be a good addition to my tree.”
NAME: Atsuko Matsumi
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2018

“I have been studying the basics and theories of international relations and economics in ICU and now I am interested in how each system works practically. I understand a little about the conflict between environmental sustainability and economic growth and also the friction between worker’s rights and economic growth. Now I am eager to learn how different countries balance these goals.”
NAME: Maki Sasada
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2018

“I was born and grew up in Japan, but I went over to the US to study English for a year when I was a freshman in high school. I applied for this program because environmental issues and sustainability are some of my current academic interests. I am also looking forward to learning sustainability from the perspective of Business since I am thinking of majoring in Business.”
NAME: Madoka Yokoyama
MAJOR: Undecided
EXPECTED GRADUATION: 2018

“I am planning to major in Media Communications. At ICU, I have taken a development studies class as well as an international relations class, and I learned how unsustainable modern main stream society is. I would like to think about how I can make society more sustainable as a member of the young generation. I would also like to help people who are in need and to learn how organizations like the Bowery Mission and Habitat for Humanity play a role in the American society.