The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is launching a 12-day international immersive experience opportunity for students to learn about international affairs, foreign policy, and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Japan.

Based in Kobe and Tokyo, with several day trips to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Himeji, Akashi and Itsukushima Island, this first international student program with the Baker Center will be led by the Center’s Global Security Director Krista Wiegand from May 28 – June 8, 2023.  

Howard Baker served as U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2001-2005. As part of this program students will have meetings with Japanese policymakers, U.S. diplomats, researchers at think tanks, and Japanese university students, visiting museums, cultural sites, Japanese government agencies and universities.

“This is a great opportunity for UTK students to learn about Japanese politics and history directly from Japanese policy experts and U.S. embassy diplomats, while experiencing the fascinating religions, foods and culture of Japan,” Wiegand said.

Along with the immersive experience, students will develop a policy brief on a topic of interest related to U.S. – Japan relations. The brief will be shared with relevant guests and as a student publication on the Baker Center’s website.

This is program is a non-credited course and open to all academic programs and classifications, with an option to add an Independent Study for 3 credit hours. The program fee is $1,600, plus flights. Scholarships are available, and details will be provided at the information sessions. Applications are due March 1, 2023.

Students interested in the program are encouraged to attend one of the two information sessions.

• Virtual: Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 5-6 pm
  • Zoom Link: tiny.utk.edu/JapanAmbassadors
  • This session will be recorded and made available for student convenience
• In-Person: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 5-6 pm
  • Location: Toyota Auditorium (Room 103), Baker Center