TOMODACHI-STEM Women’s Leadership and Research Program 2023-24 Kicks Off

The TOMODACHI-STEM Women’s Leadership and Research Program 2023-24 participants have successfully completed their two-week virtual program, led by Lehigh University and Rice University. This program enables students to gain real world experience with science and engineering research, introduces them to U.S. higher education, and provides opportunities for career exploration, English language enrichment, cultural engagement, and collaboration with U.S. students.

This two-week virtual program hosted by Lehigh University centered on English language enrichment and team building.

Specifically, through short lectures on communicative strategies, collaborative interactional practice through Zoom interviews and breakout room discussions, and virtual videocasts, students employ effective speaking skills in English to improve clarity and appropriateness in language use, build confidence and self-esteem as a nonnative speaker, and develop a support network of other students and professors from their fields of study in the U.S. and abroad.

The final assessment for the virtual course is a profile presentation that each student delivers based on their interviews with and background research on their U.S. faculty-host and their university. The 10 participants will be departing to join the five-week long in-person program starting February 10, 2024!

This program is generously funded by Dow Chemical Japan Limited.