UTokyo GUC 2025 Successfully Concludes!　

The UTokyo Global Unit Courses (GUC), a short-term program organized by the Center for Global Education, welcomed international students to the University of Tokyo for a successful summer session. Running from June 16 to July 28, 2025, the program attracted over 300 students from more than 20 countries and regions who had successfully passed the selection process. Participants chose from various one- to two-week courses tailored to their interests and academic goals, creating a vibrant summer of learning and cultural exchange.

This year’s program offered 27 courses in total: 21 specialized courses spanning the humanities to STEM fields, plus 6 level-based online Japanese language courses. Among the highlights were newly introduced 2-unit courses that provided greater academic flexibility, and a particularly popular urban design field trip through Tokyo, led by a faculty architect. This unique course gave students an immersive look at the capital’s urban landscape and design philosophy.

The program extended well beyond traditional lectures. Students also engaged in hands-on learning through lab tours, fieldwork, design workshops, and visits to different UTokyo campuses. The weekly “Get Together” lunch gatherings became a cornerstone of the social experience, bringing together GUC participants and UTokyo students in relaxed settings that fostered cross-cultural friendships and meaningful exchanges.

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Students shared comments such as: “I met wonderful new friends while deepening my understanding of my field,” and “The Tokyo fieldwork was an unforgettable highlight of my summer.” These testimonials reflect the program’s success in combining rigorous academic content with cultural immersion and community building.