In Search of Reconciliation: A Collaborative Attempt at Journeying Together
摘要
As a British academic whose career has focused on “Japan Studies,” I have spent significant time working on a joint Study Abroad program between International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan, and Underwood International College (UIC) of Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, devoted to “reconciliation.” The program occurs every Autumn semester, allowing ten students from each campus to gather for an intensive eleven-week period to explore the concept of reconciliation from various academic perspectives. This includes four core courses, ranging from “International Relations of the Asia Pacific” to “World History: Global Crossings, Division and Reconciliation in East Asian History,” taught by ICU and UIC faculty, aiming to familiarize students with key concepts that underpin reconciliation efforts. The program is further enriched by weekend field trips and weekly guest lectures from academics and practitioners worldwide, providing perspectives based on their own personal experiences. This essay describes the core components of this program and highlights the issues that will confront the next generation of Korean and Japanese peacemakers.