Nachi Goto | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Nachi Goto
Title: From Studying to Learning: Japanese International Student Experiences at Danish Folk High Schools
Major: Sociology
Advisors: Michael Miyawaki; Setsuko Matsuzawa

The present study employs qualitative interviews to examine Japanese international student experiences at folk high schools in Denmark. Interviews were conducted with fifteen Japanese international students at three schools in Denmark. The literature reviewed in this study explored the Japanese educational system and student experiences, philosophies and practices of folk high schools, and student experiences and outcomes at folk high schools. This study utilizes Critical Pedagogy and Social Learning Theory and aims to answer the following research questions: (1) “What are the experiences of Japanese international students in folk high schools?”; (2) “How might their experiences in folk high schools compare to their educational experiences in Japan?”; and (3) “What are their thoughts on introducing the folk high school model in Japan?” The data collected through the interviews will be presented and analyzed in relation to the current literature and the theories. The analysis is used for potential expansion of the study and policy suggestions.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.